Grand Slam

Wednesday, 16th July, Biscay crossing and La Coruna

From the last post you will have seen we made it across Biscay in one piece.
 The trip was just over 500 miles so we were looking at around a 4 to 4 ½ day
 sail. We were therefore looking for a good weather window with no surprises. 
We left around 8 ish on Friday morning with around 15knts of wind behind us 
but in quite a nasty swell coming from the west.

Our course was basically due south following the 8 deg 30 mins line till 
we hit northern Spain. The first day was reasonable weather – bit of sun and 
the odd shower. Still quite cold at night. By Saturday the swelll had subsided 
a lot and by Sunday was very comfortable. The wind kept at around 15 knts 
north westerly until Sunday morning and turned to be south westerly and then 
finally died. Sunday evening the sea was almost flat. Rather than drift, we 
put the engine on and motored for 10 hours or so. Lots of wildlife around. Rob 
and Tom saw a pod of whales. Plenty of dolphins, a sun fish and some new 
seabirds for me.

Monday, and the wind turned to the north east and increased to 25knts as we 
approached land. We ended the trip in a rough sea, surfing down the waves 
with 9.7 knots showing on the log. We had averaged a good 6knts all the way 
so we managed the trip in 3 days and 8 hours. It had been a tough sail for 
the four of us but the boat managed it very well. Only problem was the 
compass light giiving up which actually was quite a pain at night when 
the clouds decended and it was pitch black.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent wandering the town and visiting lots of 
tapas bars. Pam and I had spent quite a bit of time in La Coruna last year 
so know most of the places to go.

It's a lot cheaper here than Ireland. The wine is half the price as is the 
beer. Ireland is definitely an expensive place. We are just off to the beach 
now for a chill out and probably a cold beer on the way. Probably hang around 
here for another day or so then head off to go round the corner (Cape 
Finistere – Cape of death!) to get to the Ria Muros. 

Tueday 15th July, La Coruna

We have now arrived in Spain! The crossing from Kinsale to La Coruna took 3 days and 8 hours which was fast! Averaged over 6 knots for the 500 +mile  crossing. Seas were a bit rough for the first 24 hours and then for the last 12 we had 25-30knt winds, thankfully on the quarter so we were surfing down the waves. Top speed to me at 9.7knts.

We got into La Coruna around 4 ish on Monday and a welcome cold beer all happy that that part of the trip was over. Today is a chill out day. Rob and Tom are off to the beach and Pam and I are drinking beer in a street side cafe where I have at last found an internet connection. No good ones in the marina! Looks like I will have to come up here for a beer each day.

More tomorrow.