ANIKA BLOG 002
Anika167
Wed 18 Jun 2014 07:54
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It seemed to work first time so I am trying again
encouraged by some of the comments from the family!!
11.06.14 The weather forecast suggests we could
leave today and have a beat before north easterlies set in later so off we go at
1330 hours in sunshine. The forecast was right about the first bit bit the north
easterlies did not arrive so we have been beating for 48 hours covering
290 nm through the water but only 250 nm down our rhumb line but pleasant
sailing.
Buzzed twice at low level by Irish Border Patrol
Plane and then watched carefully by the boat patrolling the exclusion zone
around two gas platforms.
12.06.14 Let me introduce you to DUNCAN he is a
Hydrovane Self Steering System which uses no battery power, acts as a spare
rudder in the event we lose our main rudder and steers a better course in
certain conditions than the crew can - why call it DUNCAN. Well we had a
chocolate brown Labrador much loved by the whole family and others who was
strong, occassionally misbehaved, stoic, a trust worthy friend, our DUNC. I did
try to introduce pictures but that is a bit difficult for my level of skill,
maybe another time.
As we yawed around an exciting dinner appeared on
deck served in tupperware type plastic boxes - we had thought of using plastic
dog bowls.
We are getting used to the sunshine and blue seas
surprisingly quickly and I have finally finished a bottle of suncream that has
been onboard whilst we have been in Scotland since 2005 (nine years), I don't
expect the next bottle to last that long.
13.06.14 Friday the 13th came and went without
incident except that a call from Sarah on our satelite phone which I missed had
me worried as she would only call if something monumental had happened. It had,
she has been given a promotion which she richly deserves and following the
events over the recent months with the merger of her company this was a great
relief - and on Friday 13th. It was interesting to note that none of us
mentioned it, but once midnight came and we moved to the 14th it became
obvious we had each harboured our own quiet thoughts.
14.06.14 As the wind started to build from the
north east we began breaching in 20 knts warm and sunny. Through the night in
winds of force 5/6 gusting 7 DUNCAN steered us without any fuss and better than
we could have done in the dark and the sea conditions maintaining
7/8 knts for the majority of the time. We
made three course changes during the night to avoid other ships, easily managed
with the AIS identifying the targets then giving their course of the ground,
speed and contact details allowing us to call them up on the VHF radio if we
felt the need.
15.06.14 We had planned on Baiona as the first port
of call but with a weather forecast warning of Gale 8 and 9 we decided to alter
course to La Coruna, with ANIKA on a charge at 8 plus knts on a reach in winds
of 20/28 knts.
ANIKA is living up to her reputation as an ocean
going yacht revelling in the elements which Viv is hardly surprised about -
warms winds, blue seas, cloudless skies - she has a point.
Real Club Nautico Marina was going to be our home
for two nights.
ANIKA and her crew had successfully crossed the Bay
of Biscay Welcome to
Gallicia Spain
As you know writing like this does not come
naturally so I am going off now for a cup of coffee.
This is sent as we pass close by Cabo Fisterra
(Cape Finisterre - translation Lands End)
Lots of love to all
ANIKA
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