Just arrived in Sada tonight (29th ) . Proper updates on the way. Route updated.
Latest news - Sailed across to Ares to anchor today , 30th May; foggy, cold wind, warm in the sun.
23rd May 2009. Special Report from Galicia
This is a short, ‘Special Report from Galicia’ mainly for Andy on board Grand Slam. We met Andy while we were in Lagos watching one of the 6 Nations matches and even though Andy speaks with an accent from ‘South of the Wall’ he is a fervent Scotland supporter. His wife Pam is from deepest darkest Wales and that be from where Andy gets his passion for the name of their boat; but you can read the detail of the naming at his website http://www.ronautica.co.uk/ . But I digress slightly – we are now in Galicia, as you know, and they people here are very proud of their Celtic ancestry, their country and their traditions. You could easily understand why, when you see the surrounding countryside – quite Welsh or Scottish. The wild life when walking through the countryside is also very special and we managed to get a picture (see below) of one of the rarities.
Andy you are going to be verrrry jealous ! ( Yes, Really ! )
Sorry folks but you’ll need to read Andy’s blog for the background to this (Andy is desperate to see his first WM and we may have beaten him to it.).
Andy you are going to be verrrry jealous ! ( Yes, Really ! )
Sorry folks but you’ll need to read Andy’s blog for the background to this (Andy is desperate to see his first WM and we may have beaten him to it.).
19th May 2009. Camarinas
Now anchored at Camarinas after rounding Finisterre today, south-west wind about 12 knots and swell from the north-west about 2&half – 3&half meters. We spent last night anchored at Pobra do Caraminal after leaving Cangas about 10am and having a visit from the Duanas (Customs) when we were arriving in the bay at Pobra. No problems – very nice people, will hopefully get a couple of pictures of their boat posted later in the week. We will spend a few days here and update the blog more fully when we’re in the marina and on shore power. Check the route link for the exact spot at Cangas, Pobra and here.
16th May 2009. Cangas Update
OK, let’s bring you up to date with the story – we’ll go back to Povoa and 5th May.
We’d been watching the weather and overnight on the 4th of May looked good for heading up to Povoa de Varzim (about 80 miles, or Leixeos about 70mls) from Figueira da Foz so we paid up during the day and prepared to leave about 10pm to have the tide in the river (nearly) right and the wind to have come round so that it had a bit more East in it. Once again the weather didn’t develop as it had been predicted (wind was too light) and we ended up with a motor-sail all the way. However, there were dozens of fishing boats out that night and we had the radar on for a good part of the journey so that we could work out exactly what was happening with them; it’s difficult to see their navigation lights when they are lit up with all the deck lights blazing and to figure out which way they are moving. Povoa is a holiday town with a very strong fishing tradition; it has been well developed since 1974 (after the revolution). The metro line also goes from Povoa directly into Porto and has an easy connection to the airport. The marina was OK but there was too much swell working its way in and the wash from the fishing boats going in and out was also a bit severe. While we were there the wind had picked up on Friday or Saturday and I had added extra lines to the pontoon. It was blowing us away from the pontoon so was no major problem – however, we had been for a walk and were sitting on ‘Sheer Fantasy’ (just a couple of fingers down) when we heard some shouting. It turned out to be coming from where Balchis was tied up and someone was holding the front of the boat to keep it from bashing off the jetty – the boat had skewed round and was blowing away from the pontoon toward the boat next door. At first I thought that the lines had broken but didn’t know why – we tend to use thicker mooring lines than the average yacht and no one else had burst lines…. It turned out to be that the mooring cleat had come away from its fitting on the pontoon – there are two bolts that hold it down and they had both come loose and the whole lot lifted out of the slot that holds the bolt heads. No damage to Balchis but a bit worrying for the people that had noticed the problem – they were going back to UK for 3 weeks two days later, so they had a frantic time putting on extra lines and checking cleats.
We had been in Povoa for almost a week now and what with the bobbing about and the squeaking lines hadn’t slept much, so we were well ready to be moving on… The weather looked good for sailing on the 12th to Baiona (about 52mls) – well, it turned out that none of the 3 weather predictions was correct, at least for the first part of the trip, the wind had turned more to the north and we had to plug into it for the first (roughly) 10 miles. The swell was also quite big but after a couple of hours the wind had come round a bit and we could get a bit of a sail. As we made our way north the angle on the wind became better, the swell lessened and the sailing improved greatly. We’d left about 7am and anchored up in Baiona about 16:30BST which is 17:30 local time – now that we are back in Spain we are 2 hours ahead of GMT (or UTC) and 1 hour ahead of the UK (and Portugal). We didn’t bother going ashore in Baiona but on Wednesday (13th) had a sail across to Cangas (directly north of Vigo) on the north side of the Ria; the weather was meant to come round to the north again and strengthen, but it didn’t happen and we could have kept moving north. However, Cangas is a nice town, not as pretty as some, but unique in its own way with a lot of granite buildings in traditional (fishing community) style mixed with modern development. Now we are in the Galicia region, the people are very proud of their Celtic history, play a form of bagpipe, and have folklore & witches, speak a different language (as well as Spanish). Oh - and the granite mountains (hills near where we are but mountains further inland) and the rain all make it much more interesting than the tourist traps of the beaches etc further south….
We feel that we are making quite good progress north and are now looking at options for crossing to France after we have enjoyed more of the Rias , passed round Finisterre and are onto the North coast of Spain.
We’d been watching the weather and overnight on the 4th of May looked good for heading up to Povoa de Varzim (about 80 miles, or Leixeos about 70mls) from Figueira da Foz so we paid up during the day and prepared to leave about 10pm to have the tide in the river (nearly) right and the wind to have come round so that it had a bit more East in it. Once again the weather didn’t develop as it had been predicted (wind was too light) and we ended up with a motor-sail all the way. However, there were dozens of fishing boats out that night and we had the radar on for a good part of the journey so that we could work out exactly what was happening with them; it’s difficult to see their navigation lights when they are lit up with all the deck lights blazing and to figure out which way they are moving. Povoa is a holiday town with a very strong fishing tradition; it has been well developed since 1974 (after the revolution). The metro line also goes from Povoa directly into Porto and has an easy connection to the airport. The marina was OK but there was too much swell working its way in and the wash from the fishing boats going in and out was also a bit severe. While we were there the wind had picked up on Friday or Saturday and I had added extra lines to the pontoon. It was blowing us away from the pontoon so was no major problem – however, we had been for a walk and were sitting on ‘Sheer Fantasy’ (just a couple of fingers down) when we heard some shouting. It turned out to be coming from where Balchis was tied up and someone was holding the front of the boat to keep it from bashing off the jetty – the boat had skewed round and was blowing away from the pontoon toward the boat next door. At first I thought that the lines had broken but didn’t know why – we tend to use thicker mooring lines than the average yacht and no one else had burst lines…. It turned out to be that the mooring cleat had come away from its fitting on the pontoon – there are two bolts that hold it down and they had both come loose and the whole lot lifted out of the slot that holds the bolt heads. No damage to Balchis but a bit worrying for the people that had noticed the problem – they were going back to UK for 3 weeks two days later, so they had a frantic time putting on extra lines and checking cleats.
We had been in Povoa for almost a week now and what with the bobbing about and the squeaking lines hadn’t slept much, so we were well ready to be moving on… The weather looked good for sailing on the 12th to Baiona (about 52mls) – well, it turned out that none of the 3 weather predictions was correct, at least for the first part of the trip, the wind had turned more to the north and we had to plug into it for the first (roughly) 10 miles. The swell was also quite big but after a couple of hours the wind had come round a bit and we could get a bit of a sail. As we made our way north the angle on the wind became better, the swell lessened and the sailing improved greatly. We’d left about 7am and anchored up in Baiona about 16:30BST which is 17:30 local time – now that we are back in Spain we are 2 hours ahead of GMT (or UTC) and 1 hour ahead of the UK (and Portugal). We didn’t bother going ashore in Baiona but on Wednesday (13th) had a sail across to Cangas (directly north of Vigo) on the north side of the Ria; the weather was meant to come round to the north again and strengthen, but it didn’t happen and we could have kept moving north. However, Cangas is a nice town, not as pretty as some, but unique in its own way with a lot of granite buildings in traditional (fishing community) style mixed with modern development. Now we are in the Galicia region, the people are very proud of their Celtic history, play a form of bagpipe, and have folklore & witches, speak a different language (as well as Spanish). Oh - and the granite mountains (hills near where we are but mountains further inland) and the rain all make it much more interesting than the tourist traps of the beaches etc further south….
We feel that we are making quite good progress north and are now looking at options for crossing to France after we have enjoyed more of the Rias , passed round Finisterre and are onto the North coast of Spain.
13th May 2009. Cangas, Spain
Left Povoa de Varzim, Portugal early on the 12th and anchored overnight at Baiona, Spain; had a good sail for more than half the way. Had a good sail across to Cangas, today and will be here for a few days while some bad weather blows through; route updated. Portuguese mobile numbers will no longer be used ( for those that knew them ). Will prepare longer update soon. Ayr is having better weather than Vigo.....
5th May arrived Povoa de Varzim
Arrived today about 2:00pm after leaving Figueira de Foz about 10pm last night.
More later. Route updated.
More later. Route updated.
3rd May 2009, Figueira da Foz
We left Nazare about 6:45am and the wind should have been about 120 degrees round on the port side and about 15knots, sea about 1 and a half to two metres – then later the wind was due to be lighter for a couple of hours and then come back round to nearer 50 or 60 degrees on the port side, increase to about 15 knots and the seas pick up to 2 – 2 and half metre. And that’s just about exactly what happened except that the light winds were lighter for longer and when it came round to the north-west it was just a little tight on the nose for a brilliant sail – however, it was still the best sailing we’ve had for a long while. Only had the engine on for going in and out of harbour and when the wind was too light to be comfortable in the swell ( and to keep the speed up ). Arrival in Figueira da Foz was a little unusual in the fact that they also (like Nazare) said that they were not really open because they have pontoons removed – however, not a problem because they have managed to find us a couple of comfortable berths away from the (reputed) swell & wash at the entrance to the marina. The marina is also very handy for the town – not too far to walk and has a superb covered market just across the road. We missed this place out on the way south earlier in our trip but are very glad to have seen it this time, it would have been a real shame to have passed it by.
Because we arrived on the 30th of April and the next day being 1st May and a national holiday (Labour Day) there were the compulsory fireworks at midnight (on 30th)….. very loud….. and for those who missed it – there was a repeat performance at 8:00am the following morning (yes; of the fireworks)…. Somebody must have thought it was a good idea…..
There are also displays of national dancing and other various activities during the holiday weekend – I’ve added a few of the better photos below just to give you a flavour of the atmosphere.
We are, as always, watching the weather for the next move up the coast which may be in the middle of the week. Watch this space.
Because we arrived on the 30th of April and the next day being 1st May and a national holiday (Labour Day) there were the compulsory fireworks at midnight (on 30th)….. very loud….. and for those who missed it – there was a repeat performance at 8:00am the following morning (yes; of the fireworks)…. Somebody must have thought it was a good idea…..
There are also displays of national dancing and other various activities during the holiday weekend – I’ve added a few of the better photos below just to give you a flavour of the atmosphere.
We are, as always, watching the weather for the next move up the coast which may be in the middle of the week. Watch this space.
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