Author: Paul and Claire

Our meeting with San Miguel has had to be postponed and as my expert friend Juan Manuel rightly informed us it’s a hard find in this area. Beers are Mahou, Bodegas and Galicia Estrella the latter of which we found to be very good as recommended. Anyway back to the toilet – double trouble – both the outlet side was flowing back in and the suddenly the fresh water flush side went on full permanent flow dumping our fresh tank water non-stop into the toilet and out to sea. All pumps were flicked off at the switch panel and the

Arrived Ria de Vivero 8pm last night after eventually getting in a good 18 hours sailing. Set the auto-pilot to navigate by wind for the last 140 miles and it blew us here along with another couple of yachts who departed Camaret around the same time. Fantastic bay with a pod of dolphins playing in the harbour. Large, calm and deep anchorage. Probably going to get the tender out and spend a few hours ashore. So far we have clocked up just 5 hours ashore in total as there is much to do on and around the boat, however, now

At 0900 hrs we cut across a shark which was headed along the Biscay continental shelf. Just below the rail at midships it turned first to the bow then decided to had round the back and glide off into the distance. From that point on we have had dolphins leaping into the air and crashing down about a half mile off. Then came the whales! No idea what the prevalent species are but they appear to be about the same size as our ship and are normally cruising north east. We have had them dive under our keel and have

We had a lovely last evening in Camaret. Having spent the day cleaning the ship below decks, donuting and shopping for provisions we then sat in our dog house in the centre of an almighty thunderstorm which Camaret anchorage appeared to be its epicentre! This was just before we had to pick up Jean-Charles, Sepherine (I apologise if the spelling is incorrect) and Eleanor from the dockside of course. Paul had to bail the dingy and get a bit soggy when he played taxi driver. We met Jean-Charles in Yarmouth 3 years ago when we and another boat with Derek

Left Camaret for the 400nm journey to Camarinas via the Pointe du Raz (& lighthouse) channel taking us through at 12 knots SOG. Initial wind direction indicated a landing at Santander but after making 7.5 knots for an hour the wind veered then dropped to 5 knots. Now back to motoring through the night and just passed a half mile tow. 300nm left to run and returned to a course west of Finisterre.

Like every other day the day of departure was just as hectic. We managed to pack away almost everything and the last thing to be stowed was our 5m ladder. This doubles as a gangway as well as onshore access and also as a paint platform for the waterline. Should it go on the rail. the bathing platform or in the sail locker? Eventually we squeezed it into the sail locker so if a tin of carrots is required it is too bad as it is behind two jibs, a 5m ladder and a 3.8m tender! We took on just

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