Darsena Deportiva Marina

Three weeks and some 600nm after leaving Lagos, we are at last in La Coruna, arriving at around 1500 yesterday. Our position is 43 degree 22 mins North, 8 degrees 23 mins West. We have now covered over 1800nm on this trip to date.

The omens for the trip up here from Corme were not good. The forecast was once again strong winds from the North East and rough seas.

The start to the day was not ideal either. First  of all we noticed a small red fishing boat, collecting lobster pots. It became apparent that he had laid a long string of these pots right through the anchorage, with no marker buoys (probably because it was illegal). What also became clear was that this line went directly under our boat. So they proceeded to attempt to pull the line from under our boat and in the processed just ploughed into us, leaving a 4 inch score on the topsides. Not a word!! Just reversed off and went around the other side of us and carried on as if nothing had happened.  So if you are ever in Corme anchorage, and to see a red fishing boat, it means red for danger!! BTW, His registration number is 3A VI-7 3533.

We raised the anchor shortly afterwards, having donned our foul weather gear, all set for another bashing into the NE winds and waves. I then succeeded in jamming the main sail once again. Bad communication and all that. Not a good start. But all of that was about to change…………………………….

Once we got out into the Atlantic, there wind was a mere 20 to 25 knots and the waves only 1.5 to 2 metres. It was a lovely sunny day and we motor sailed all the way to La Coruna. We also saw 2 Sun fish, the first time we have seen them on this whole trip.  The sailing experience was so good that we did at once stage seriously consider just heading straight out across the Bay, but we also wanted to catch up with the crew of Moondance, who we knew were already here.

As we rounded the break water into La Coruna harbour, a Bottle Nosed Dolphin jumped out of the water right next to the boat. A feat it repeated 3 times before disappearing. Just as well as I needed to concentrate on where we were going………….

By the time we arrived in La Coruna the wind had got up once again and was gusting up to 30 knots. So parking the boat in these cross winds was going to be a challenge. As we backed into our allotted berth, much to our amazement, Ian Herve of Lodestar (another Contest owner), stepped forward to take our lines. Ian’s boat used to be our mooring partner boat at Noss Marina until April this year . So once we were sorted out we went over for a cup of tea, which turned out to be a beer. We had a good laugh with Ian and his crew, then Chris Longstaff from Moondance found us and we were invited over to Moondance for drinks as well. It was wonderful to catch up with Chris , Sally and Lauren and Maddie. ( We did the Biscay Triangle with them last year). We discovered that Chris was due to fly back to the UK this morning so it was agreed we would all head off into La Coruna for dinner. As luck would have it, I managed to find a restaurant where we had eaten last time we were here. This restaurant is notable for its brilliant local rice dishes that are a local version of a Paella. It was a fantastic evening and a great laugh. Thank you Chris and the gang from Moondance.

WE have been spending the day washing and cleaning the boat down as well as de-salting everything. Then a trip out to Torres de Hercules, the world’s oldest lighthouse.  After that, only the weather God’s know.