Day 25 - Biscay somwhere
We left port at 7:26AM,
Friday 15th August and set off into the depths of Biscay once again only
this time we were entering the DEEP Zone 45:31.69N 1:58.03W It was a stunning day as
hot as you could imagine, not a cloud in the sky and the perfect wind to fly
the kite to get us out of France only to be becalmed about 15 Kt Miles
out. In fact I think we sat and looked back at La Rachelle for almost all
of the lovely day. This did not make for a great start but we were both happy
with the great weather and Fish Fish Fish. All of my fishing lure
came into there own as I pulled in fish after fish, not 100% sure what they
were however they looked similar to the mackerel I catch back in the UK, only
they were a lot bigger and fatter. They fought like you would not believe
and their eyes were a lot larger. Oh and they were also lovely cooked fresh on
the BBQ. The minute I got the first one on board thinking I may of gotten lucky
onto the BBQ it went. Wrapped in foil and cooked for about 6 minutes
either side. Unbelievable is the only way to describe it. After a while I
pulled in all the line due to the masses I was bringing in. I did not
stop cooking though, I tried cooking them with a little curry powder, herbs,
salt and pepper - anything I had to perfect the catch until we were all fished
out. And we were all drank out, as you have to have wine, beer, scotch
with a catch like that…..and so we did - eat and drink in the hot sun
while we went no-where fast and slowly watched the land disappear behind us. It was well into the
night that the wind began to increase about 2AM I finally set the front sail
and put us on a tack that would make us move. The moon was out and the night
seemed almost as bright as the day. We were now heading for the deep water in
Biscay, something I did not want to do initially in the planning stage of our
trip but as sailing goes you can never say where you will end up. In parts the
Bay gets deeper than 4000meters so it is a long way down. As I looked in to the
distance I heard flipper come up beside me and say hello. There must have
been at least 3 or 4 dolphins checking out what I was doing which is always
nice. As we sailed on - or
drifted on may be a more realistic description - another yacht in the distance
came into view and was heading our way, I could only guess that he may have
been where we were headed and I have been we he was going but it was very
strange in the middle of the ocean with nothing around, no light, only the moon
and stuff all wind that the two of us could of almost shaken hands as he limped
on past Silky lit up by the moon in the middle of the night. Another Yacht sailed
past while becalmed. Apart for the slow going
it was a great start to out second night passage especially it only being Fi
and I. Special comments by
Fiona: Admittedly I was very nervous and apprehensive to
embark on a 3 day crossing of the infamous Biscay. For those who
don’t know about the Day 025 Destination – Traveling Direction
– South West Wind Direction –
North East (A gentle blow until nothing… nothing some more …. And
more nothing….) Average Speed 2.9 Knots
(Absolutely Bobbing like a bath toy) Top Speed – 4.6
Knots Over Ground (We had to start the engine to get over the rock and rolling)
Total distance –
About 55 Nautical Miles Travel Time – 16
Hours around about Temperature – 24
(Lots of Sunshine) Crew
- Fiona (Amped during the day, not liking the night) Missing Work - I do not
think So Expenses – Sweet
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