OMG today is the day we leave QAB
All that planning and preparation is done although we haven't quite done all the jobs we wanted to. Thanks to Andy who has spent the last 3 and a half days sorting all the electrics. We now have our solar panels wind generator and sat phone all connected and functioning.
Woke to a lovely sunny morning and left QAB via the fuel barge.Dinner last night at Rockfish with skippers and crew of Firestorm, Seaborne and Brainwave after a frantic day of loading stowing and vitalling.
Dramatically tidier after an afternoon of frantic activity!
Gentle motor to Cawsand with bacon butties en route.
Anchored by Firestorm and deployed the secret weapon ie furling cruising chute. Weighed anchor at 10.15 then motor sailing with our friends in the sunshine. Hopefully cruising chute will be utilised after Start Point.
Firestorm - Walter Douie, Tim Wheatley, Matthew Cramp and Julian.
Seaborne - Jonathan and Sarah Unsworth White and Chris Burrell
Brainwave - Peter and Juliette Whitfield, Mac Armstrong and Stuart Weatherby.
Hurrah cruising chute easily unfurled and sailing beautifully. Seaborne and Firestorm took advantage of light winds and went ahead and we just stayed ahead of Brainstorm and hurtled in towards the Dart.
Moored at Dittisham rafted to Firestorm. I took 2 attempts to get alongside as reversed too much on first attempt. Time for tea and socials as Seaborne crew arrived for a good nosy around and chat. Soon followed by Brainstorm as well. Quick brush up, roast lamb plus red currant jus and the a run ashore with Firestorm providing water taxi services.
Couple of pints in the pub with all assembled and in jolly good form. I think the trip back was uneventful!
Morning departure from Dittisham.
Ready for France this morning. Sun shining and NW wind forecast so off we go. This time it really is goodbye and we were waved off by Firestorm and Seaborne.
Gentle motor out of the Dart. This time it is farewell Enland and France here we come.
Once out of the Dart we set a course towards the Chanel du Four and our first bit of excitement was a horrendous confused sea off Start Point. A bit different to yesterday. We battled thro that then continued with a good F 5 and quite a large sea swell. Too much for us to do bacon butties so waited till lunch of pate. I had a snooze after lunch and the afternoon and evening were a bit more manageable. Alex had concocted a pork and lentil casserole while I was sleeping which we had with baked potatoes. The wind was now a steady 3-4 so Alex went for his kip. We decided to go to L'Aberwrach as we would get to the Chanel du Four 2-3 hours too early and it was quite chilly.
We made excellent progress and averaged over 7 knots and soon saw the lights of France with the Ile de Vierge lighthouse. Alex emerged and we sailed towards the light of the Libenter and then followed the leading lights in past the Pot du Beurre. Visibility wasn't brilliant at the Marina so we hastily moored on the outside of the visitors pontoon and sorted out the lines despite the lack of proper cleats. So tucked up and we've made it to France after yet another interesting Channel crossing. I won't miss doing that for a while!
Day 5
L'Aberwrach
Too windy to go anywhere so cleaning tidying eating and drinking!
Not a bad life.
Camaret sur Mer.
Last morning in France.
Off to supermarket to get our supplies for Biscay. May need moral boosting morsels to keep us chirpy.
Lots of nice fruit and veg. Lovely Rouget and langoustines from the poissonerie. Special offer langoustines 9.90 € kilo bargain. Fish tonight on board, home made beef curry for Sat night and chicken for Sunday roast. That should keep us happy plus some pate, cheese and naughty pork pie for lunches. Oh yes and 2 boxes of red wine.
Returned to Panties with provisions then coffee and Wifi whilst Alex tries to sort out his mailasail emailing.
After a quick lunch off again to try to find music adaptor and to collect a couple of big waters. Postcards for Ems, Wills and Mum. Final preparations on Panties for 09.00 departure tomorrow morning. Curry cooked for tomorrow night and delicious fish supper. Last night of French sleep the Biscay here we come.
Saturday
Up and raring to go. Prompt departure and Alex let me reverse out. Not much wind to start with so cruising chute out then in and motor on.
Soon wind picked up so cruising chute out again and nice sail past the Raz and out into Biscay.
Time for lunch.
Bargain Langoustines!
Visibility terrible and really quite foggy in patches but at least no rain And not too much swell.
Good progress and warming beef curry for supper and a glass of red wine. My turn for first sleep. Night passed pleasantly enough and vis much better in the morning. Black pudding sarnies for breakfast. Definitely feeling warmer. Played quite a bit with various sail plans and had cruising chute one side poled out with genoa on the other side attached to the boom. We certainly improved with practice and are much more confident with the pole.
Unfortunately the wind then died so we motored overnight as wind only 5-8 knots. Still a nice calm sea meant good progress. Alex saw the moon and stars plus some very frisky Dolphins. One was jumping so high he nearly landed on board.
Monday was again quite grey with the odd bit of drizzle but still no wind. Saw loads of Dolphins who came and swam with us for about an hour. Lots of different schools again some jumping very high out of the water. Was this to impress the girls? Took lots of photos.
Quite gloomy in the afternoon as we approached the Spanish coast and saw our first vessel a good sized fishing boat. The wind suddenly returned and we whooshed towards Spain with 20-25 knots on a broad reach. Finally imposing grey cliffs loomed out of the mist. Land ahoy. The Cedeira Ria entrance opened up before us and we headed for our anchorage accompanied by a Spanish fishing vessel. Much calmer as we headed in turning to port and anchoring in Spain. All very easy and straight forward. Roast chicken on, large glasses of rose and some boat tidying before snuggling down below for dinner and a nice calm night's sleep.
Tuesday 27th May SPAIN!
Still a bit grey on wakening but much warmer - hurrah. Gentle start after our lovely restful night. Breakfast of fruit and yogurt then up with the dinghy and off to land. Can I remember how to walk? Cedeira looking lovely as clouds part and sunshine arrives and it feels HOT.
Off to the supermarket for provisioning and our memories of our previous visit return. It is a lovely very Spanish place where no one speaks English. As we wander around soaking up the scene we keep our eyes peeled for a suitable lunch spot, somewhere with a good choice of sea food. Stopped for cafe con leche at little bar and watched the waitress carefully water her geraniums and then mist them with a water spray. Sat outside in glorious sunshine. Time to take provisions back to Panties then shorts on and out to lunch.
Found the perfect place with very helpful waitress who presented us with menus and a fantastic picture book of fish and shellfish so we knew exactly what to order. Gambas and scallops for starters with delicious sauces to mop up with Galician bread. Alex had cod a la plancha and I had hake in a tomato sauce with crispy potatoes. Excellent wine and even pudding. Just perfect. We are really noticing how much cheaper food and drink is compared to France, another good reason to have headed straight here along of course with the sun. Still amazed at how late the Spanish come out for lunch, people were coming in well after 3.
Back to the boat for some serious sunbathing and watching the world go by then downstairs for cribbage and cheese and biscuits. A truly perfect day.
Even better is the excitement of seeing the amps floe into the batteries from our wonderful solar panels and wind generator. With the extra roaming panel we are getting 11 amps per hour and batteries fully charged at anchor. Maybe I can use the hairdryer!
Weds 28th May.
Time for a bit of exercise so shorts and trainers and off for a good walk. All together about 20 Los walking. Firstly up to the old fort where we'd been with Kate and Wills then we followed the very small road along the coast to the lighthouse. Very few cars and lovely and tranquil through wooded areas of pine and eucalyptus. Very aromatic and some stunning views. Back to the boat and ready for our trip to La Coruna tomorrow. We were visited by the French man from the neighbouring boat who was full of compliments about Pantie's suitability for an Atlantic crossing. Also told us how lovely Madeira is with fantastic walks and food and recommended some places. We will seriously think about going there.
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