“41:38.00N 08:76.08W to 50:84.29N 00:13.13N”
We didn’t manage to get this up and running before we left, so here is our
first blog despite being back in the UK for the next few weeks! Future blogs
will be shorter I promise! We have satellite communication on board so will be
able to update you throughout our onward journey to Gran Canaria and across the
Atlantic to St Lucia. We also have set up a facebook page called Yacht
Shenanigan where we have put some photos of the trip so far.
After lots of preparations and additions to Shenanigan and an evening
relaxing on board with ‘the Shankster’s’ (who were in Brighton en route to Isle
of Wight) we finally left Brighton Marina for Studland Bay at 08:07 on Sunday
28th July. We arrived in Studland Bay at 20:55 making at times 10 knots SOG in
a nice SW 12-16 knot wind but by 20:00 the wind was up to 26 knots which blew in
a storm and gave us a choppy night at anchor! Because of the weather, we didn’t
manage to leave Studland Bay until after lunch on Wednesday 31st July tying up
in Torquay marina at 02:21 Thursday morning, a moonless starry night and flat
seas.
We spent a day in Torquay tidying the boat and restocking then left Friday
morning. The original plan was to leave Torquay and spend a few days in
Salcombe but as we were already a few days behind we decided to hit the Bay of
Biscay and head for La Coruna. Bad move! Sailing directly into wind and on
coming (un-forecast) storm. Timmy and I wedged ourselves in the back cabin
and left the night to the intrepid. Brian and Christopher battled the storm off
the Cornish coast pounding directly into 30 knots of wind, with rain, huge waves
and confused seas. The next morning they both confessed they had found the
whole experience exhilarating (yikes!). We made very little progress over night
with Biscay living up to its wild reputation so made the decision to head for
the shelter of Brest. I took over during the day to allow the night watch to
catch up on much needed sleep. We arrived at an anchorage (a wobbly one!) just
outside Brest at around midnight having sailed 322.45 nm / 498.39 km in a big
zig-zaggy circle. At day break we rafted up in Cameret. A good test of both
the boat and us – definitely have sea-legs!
Tuesday 6th August we left Cameret for Concarneau again arriving in the
dark and anchoring – in what turned out to be a dinghy training course as we
realised when we woke up and were surrounded – we had become another mark on
their course! We all enjoyed Concarneau and in fine weather, perfect flat seas
and a NW 12-16 knot wind on 8th August we set off for La Coruna.
Night watches went smoothly. -During the days dolphins/porpoises swam with
us, in front of us and under us providing great entertainment for hours on end
and me difficulty catching them on camera! On Friday we were also accompanied
by whales! The wind changed to N 18-21 knots so some good downwind
sailing.
We arrived in the marina of La Coruna at 23:00 Saturday 10th August, with
wind picking up to 27 knots and waves to match.
We spent some time in La Coruna, visiting Torres de Hercules (oldest
working Roman lighthouse in the world), walking the city, visiting the beach and
the boys the aquarium, and eating amazing seafood. We met interesting people,
picked up some tips and met two other boats had also been caught out off the
Cornish coast at the same time as us.
We left La Coruna at 17:15 on 13th August and re-berthed there 1 ½ hours
later! welcomed on the pontoon by Lyn and Mike Tonner who were tracking us on
AIS! We made the decision to turn back as the 4m waves on the side and 30 knots
of wind made the going tough and we didn’t fancy a whole night of it to
Camarinas. It took another day for the swell to subside and we set off again on
15th August.
A perfect day sailing and the best dolphin show so far – got my long
awaited photos! (on facebook page) We anchored in Carmarinas at 19:17 and left
the next morning (my birthday!) arriving Islas Cies 19:35. The next day was
spent on the beach until the evening when the sea mist rolled in.
We left Islas Cies on 18th August with the wind behind us and a run all the
way to Povoa de Varzim, Portugal. Funny sight to see the boys playing cards on
deck in 20 knots of wind. We were whipped into the berth by a 17 knot gust
(perfectly controlled landing by Brian! with perfectly placed fenders!). Again
the mist descended; apparently this is common in July and August. The night
followed with the eerie air raid sounding fog horn and church bells tolling in
the mist.
Povoa de Varzim is where this leg stops and Shenanigan rests having sailed
1139.8 nm / 1761.89 km since leaving Brighton. We’ve met some interesting
people of all nationalities, met some other ARC boats, seen more dolphins than
we can count and learnt an awful lot.
We flew home 22nd August. Next leg to begin shortly – can’t cope with the
withdrawal symptoms!
Thank you all for your support so far.
M