The departure was given last Sunday in the late afternoon from the port of Sainte Catherine in Locmiquelic. Escorted by 4 friendly boats, after a warm farewell on the pontoons, we set sail under a setting sun through the channel out of the harbor! Thank you all!
The emotion of leaving our loved ones gradually gives way to the adventure that begins with the Bay of Biscay.... The first day of sailing is pleasant with an ideal NE wind that allows everyone to find their bearings. In the evening, after a few hours of trolling, a beautiful tuna invites itself to our plate. The fishing season starts well!
Then the weather conditions gradually deteriorate, claiming their first victims of seasickness. Only our little Diane, aged 9 months, remains completely indifferent to the boat's movements. Faced with the crew's discomfort, we decide to make a stop in Spain at the nearest port, Cedeira. However, the initial route planned to seek the front offshore Spain and was therefore more W than S. To reach Cedeira (10 miles NE of La Coruña), we had to sail upwind against a SE wind of 7 Bft over 90 miles... Not very comfortable. We arrive early Wednesday morning and drop anchor in this well-protected bay. After a restorative nap and some tidying up, we head out for a walk on land. Visit to the small town, October 12 is the Spanish national holiday, everyone is out on the village square where there is also a beautiful children's garden to Nina's great delight.
The weather waits for no one, so we weigh anchor on Thursday morning after a full night and with full stomachs, to take advantage of the E flow that still lasts a bit. Libertaire under mainsail with 1 reef and genoa offers several surfs, including one at 12.98 knots GPS with these 25 knots of wind and a beautiful ENE swell. The wind gradually weakens while turning to N and rounding Cape Finisterre we have to rely on the engine for 4 hours. Friday's day is calm at the start and a light E wind with the passage of an occluded front in the evening causing quite a few maneuvers. Nina is lucky to enjoy her first dolphins and catch a glimpse of the blow of a few whales. The last miles towards Porto are a bit laborious tacking in a S wind. On the morning of Saturday, October 15, we moor at the marina of Leixoes.
We are now waiting for a good weather window that will allow us to head south.
Jeux A la recherche d'un drapeau portugais...
