Becalmed and foggy
Tillymint.fortescue
Tue 18 Aug 2009 18:44
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43:17.73N 009:05.365W
Saturday 15 August - On our way from La
Coruna round Land's End towards Portugal.
After our 300 mile giant stride across Biscay we
are taking 25 mile baby steps around the Rias. The first two sails from Viviero
to Cedeira and then onto La Coruna were under sail. North easterly winds blowing
a good force 4 or 5 saw us on our way, the Atlantic behaved itself and we
humoured occasional periods of attention seeking swell and rolling waves;
all unfortunately hitting us broadside on so our surfing was more
Alton Towers than Honolulu. Things changed yesterday, the fresh afternoon
breezes which had dried the washing in La Coruna failed to reappear as we
departed from our well appointed marina. We were becalmed, the swell and waves
died away and by the end of the afternoon we were motoring through an
oily flat sea watching the legions of wind turbines that line the
Galician shore standing forelorn and purposeless. We slowed to prime tuna
catching speed but, once again, the optimistic fisherman recorded an empty
net for the day.
As it seemed faintly daft to continue driving to
Portugal we called in at the next available Ria for the night. Not as
pretty as others we have known, something of the atmosphere of a motorway
service station (under construction), but it was a calm anchorage and the
prospect of a barbeque and a swim from the boat was ample incentive. We finally
got round to cooking the "catch of the day" which had been resting in the
freezer for the last few days; Garfish do indeed have green bones - apologies if
you are eating lunch but it's been a slow news day and we like sharing!
The pool party was good fun, while the grown ups
slaved over the hot BBQ the little people hurled themselves off the side of
Tilly Mint. Immy claimed to acquire just a bit more courage for the leap if Alex
threw her and she announced the experience "Awesome" - oh to be 6
again...
This morning we headed off - the
Spanish shipping forecast mentioned light winds and a mist that would clear in
the morning. At the moment we are motoring in no wind, flat calm and
freezing fog. Fleece man is back at the helm and the early matinee of The Sound
of Music is showing down below. I've got a nice cup of tea and I'm enjoying a
chat with you - no rush to go back up top just yet!
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