La Coruna to Dartmouth
NORDLYS
David and Annette Ridout
Wed 17 Jun 2009 10:50
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La Coruna to
Dartmouth
50:21N 003:34W
Dartmouth
17th June
I was going to just write one more blog when we
finally reached Lymington but my ever watchful son pointed out that the map
would then show us sailing over the middle of France. As it is we will
probably go over Brittany. For this reason I will tell you the story of
the end of our last long passage.
After the wind died we turned the engine on and I
wrote the previous blog. It was at this point that the reduced visibility
turned into fog. We rounded Ushant against a 3 to 4 knot tide and in a
very confused sea. With no wind it was a lesson as to what the
sea would be like with a SW gale against this
spring tide. Progress was very slow until we were north of
L'Aberwrach. The forecast was for SW 3/4 so we assumed the fog would lift
and the wind arrive. Neither did and we crossed the shipping lanes at
night in 200 metres or less visibility. At one stage it was rather like a
simulator exercise at my old employer. I.E lots of pressure. We had
ten returns in under 6 miles range and two under 1/2 mile. Yes we are back
in European waters with a vengeance. It was a night that neither of us
slept at all and the only other time we can remember getting to this stage was
off the Elbe. Nordlys does not yet have AIS, the identification system that
tells you which ships are where and whether collision is likely with any
particular vessel that transponds. She will very soon.
All bad things come to an end and late morning
produced blue skies but no wind and Start Point visible a couple of miles
off. So with a tide under us we entered Dartmouth. The place was as
charming as ever. It was from this port that I first did a voyage, to St
Malo in 1966 in a Falmouth 26 foot cutter. Warm memories. The staff
of the Darthaven Marina were as always helpful and squeezed us into a spot on
the fullish visitors berth. Now four days later we are well rested the
boat is cleaned and friends are coming over from Newton Ferrers for lunch.
We will then walk the lovely track to Froward Point with its hedgerows bursting
with late spring colour. Annette is dying to pick some of the masses of
Elder flowers to make cordial but that will have to wait until we are
home. Unable to buy citric acid the internet has come up trumps and Amazon
is delivering some to us in Keyhaven. It has been a very enjoyable first stop in
the UK. Nature, the weather and friendly locals have shown us that all is
not doom and gloom in this great island, our home.
Tomorrow we will leave for Studland and we aim to
sail through Hurst Narrows on Sunday morning at 0900hrs with the last of the
flood. It is planned for Nick and family to come and meet us in Freya,
their boat. Nordlys has been asked to come alongside the RLymYC and it
would be our pleasure to provide coffee and biscuits for anyone who wants to
come during the morning.
Happy times
David and Annette
 The smile hides weary legs that are trying to get used to life
ashore.
It is the Day Mark above Dartmouth in the
background.
The joy of walking through so many wild flowers
more than compensated for the body pains. however the
beer and pasty
lunch on our return was welcome, as was sitting
down.
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