From the log with comments.
Departed Cudillero at 07.30 7 July 2015 in morning sunshine after emailing pics of Shoeshine to Peter Sanders. Clear and calm with low swell but motored through the fishing fleet at Cabo Vidio with some trepidation. West 3 had my sails up and just as I was making lunch (my take on a ensalada mixto) the wind piped up to 25 knots and low cloud so bombed along with most of the salad on the deck. The wind slacked off later and I ended up motoring in a cold dank afternoon arriving under the bridge and into Porcillan marina, Ribadeo by 18.00. Rather sloppy berth and not very attractive town with the motorway high above ones head. Did some chores the next day and met up with several fellow travelers. Walked miles for diesel and cooked onboard. Left 9 July 10.00 with a forecast of a good north easterly and fine weather but going westerly the following day. Cracking sail along the high coastal hills. Became a bit more cracking with gusts of 30 knots but calmed down as I entered the Ria de Viveiro and motored up the river to a welcome marina right in the town. Met up with John and Josephine again and great evening in the old town with a festival in full swing. Departed on 13 July in light north breeze and easy passage around the northern tip of Spain and Cabo Ortega. Gybed round and down into Cedeira anchoring in 7 meters on sand. For a while I was the only boat in the anchorage despite it being mid July. Gorgeous place. Dingy drill and pleased to say that the Seagull started first time having been on the rail for 6 weeks. Noticed the stern gland is leaking about 8 drops per minute but nothing at rest. Phoned Arthur who reassured me. Dinner in the famous Bar Kilowatio of Marraxo (shark) which was exquisite. Left 15 July after a great few days and round the coast with La Coruna in the distance to a little fishing port with a small holiday town. Came in in a brisk afternoon breeze to find a spot in the friendly marina in Ares.
My highlights.
John on Shoeshine also heading south but about to pick up his wife and twins aged 8! Problem with his self furled (shaft has dropped through) emailed to Peter Sanders for advice.
Fishing fleet off Cabo Vidio (not as benign as it looks) and along the coast with motorway!
Ensalada mixto about to be chucked around the cockpit!
Ribadeo. Not my favorite town.
High coastal hills of the Rias Atlas ‘where mountains and forset tumble into the sea’.
Cracking sail…(click of photo for video)
Festival in Viveiro. Something to do with King George and Gustave V?
Table laid before the event but where is King George?
Cabo Ortega. You can just see the swell of about 1.5 meters.
Cedeira. Pisces is the only visiting yacht this afternoon.
Thommo would have been proud of his Seagull Forty Minus 1964 starting first time.
Ares (Mother and child)
Hey Paul, just looked at Ares on G-Earth - looks like perfect marina spot. Congrats on another good, safe leg on the voyage. Your detailed blog is still sending me slightly insane, in a good way.
ReplyDeleteWe're having a cold winter snap here in Adelaide - freezing proverbial tits off weather - so a Spanish autumn looks pretty damned good!
A 1964 Seagull - well that takes me back! (Mainly to restoration after a drowning!). I'm afraid mine went with Tiarnie-the-1st. And over to the dark side now with a Suzuki, with a whole 2.5 HP! I'm gathering that Pisces is doing well and looking after you just fine - she seems to be in her element.
Each of your blog entries is bringing forward my retirement plans by 1 month per blog. So, keep blogging! Love the photos - been showing around the family ++, not just Jo. My Mum still keeps referring to you as "that lovely man, so English!", despite my best efforts to re-orientate her slightly demented memory. My kids think you're 'dead cool' - have to remind them that a bit more cool and a bit less dead is what us old guys need!
Enjoy the stay in Ares - have a 'local brew, or two' for me. Looks like you're in a community of other boats heading in same general direction.
In 3 weeks will be doing a 7 day bush walk in the MacDonnell Ranges, out of Alice (as they say), with 5 other blokes (including 3 psychiatrists!) - so hope to take fitness preparation, passage readiness, and sanity/insanity up another notch.
Best regards, David