Fai Tira Blog Saturday 29/08/09

Fai Tira On the way to Biscay 49:07.65N 6:39.47W

We woke from, what seemed, another blustery night to relative peace and quite. The weather forecasts thoroughly interrogated the night before, Pete had set the alarm for 6am in anticipation of an early start. Was this really to be, what seemed to both of us, the start proper. Although all the indications were good, and with double checks on the synopsis, I still felt a little apprehensive, not only, because of the gales of the last couple of days, but also out of a certain amount of awe for the trip across the fabled Bay of Biscay.

Most of the checks had been carried out the night before, so once satisfied that all else was in order, another deep considered breath and a glance in the direction of the now fairly calm bay entrance that had been a spectacular boiling mass yesterday and we cast off and were under way.

It’s quite amazing the difference just 24 hours can make. The winds were now light ( from the wrong direction ) and the sea state slight as we headed, under power, towards the Bishop Rock Light house, with both of us examining our own and each other’s emotions at this point.

As we rounded the light, what wind there was died, then just as I was getting my head down, Pete started pulling on the sails. The wind had picked up, and has continued since at about a 3-4 since from a south westerly direction. Not ideal but it’ll do. It’s now 10.15 pm, we’ve both eaten well and covered 50 miles in the first 10 hours, if it can be maintained I think we’ll be satisfied. So for the moment I think we’re both feeling fairly content.

Bye for now. 

Pete and John.