26/08/2021

Ria Muros and Arousa

 After a few days we departed Camarinas to sail south past Cape Finnistere to the town of Muros.
We visited Muros back in 2019 and it's a small friendly town.

We arrived in the afternoon the 22nd of August and stayed at the marina berthing for the first 3 days.
4th day at anchor.

We continued the 26th August towards the next Ria (fjord) south. At the same time we were joined by 3 other Norwegian yarchts
heading the same way. It was a misty and foggy trip, but with great nav.tools and good radar finding our way was easy.

We anchored in 8m water in the town of Arousa on the Illa de Arousa. Peacefull and quiet anchoreage.

Dinner was burgers grilled on the aft deck.



And for my radio friends: I am QRV on CW at 1730Z  on  14045 and SSB on 14328 at 1800Z.

If condx to east coast USA/Carribean I will QSY 14333 to avoid QRM to Haiti emergency net on 14330.



20/08/2021

Arrived at Camarinas

 Sorry for slow updates.

We arrived safely in Camarinas in the afternoon the 19h August.
As the weather was pretty windy, we went inside for a berth in the marina.
There were two other Norwegian sailboats there. Two of the crew were sated in the marina restaurant
when we arrived and came running to assist our mooring. Very welcomed as the wind was a bit strong.

We spent just one night at the marina. Enough to get some more groceries etc. and to fill up with fresh water.
The marina is small, but pleasant, toilett and showers a bit worn down, but they worked OK.
But price was cheap - 20 Euros for one night for a 12 meter long monohull.

We went out in Ria of Camarinas and anchored for the next two nights.
We had hoped to have a swim - but the water temp was just 15C and the water pretty dirty.

Have had many radio contacts from the anchorage - it's so much better away from shore. 

Scenery from Muros anchorage.



16/08/2021

Departed Camaret-Sur-Mer

 During our final night in Camaret, the wind picked up to near gale from the NE.

We were moored to the floating wave breaker and it got a bit lively at times. But having had mooring damages earlier on floating pontoons we brought good mooring ropes with strong shock absorbers.

This afternoon we cast off, motored accross to the Coop fuel dock and filled up our diesel tank. We have just over 200L in the maintank and 140L in jerry cans on deck.  We departed Camaret at 1430 Local time.

The weather is nice, sunny, and wind from the N about 10-15 knots. Sea state 1.5 - 2 meters. We are heading forCamarinas inthe west of Galicia/Spain. Distance is 370nm and we should be there Thursday afternoon.  The weatherforecast is for Northerly winds 10-15 knots dropping to 10 and later 5 knots as we get further south. We probably have to test out our spinnaker sail.  ;)

We are in a good spirit and look forward to getting south to warmer climate - although some say Sapin is in for a scorcher.... 

Grete & Geir


11/08/2021

A short visit to France

Our trip from Dover has so far been uneventful. Wind in the nose and the green monster is performing very well.
We are running just 1500 RPM which gives us an average speed of 5 knots through the water.
At times the headwind strengethens and we lose a knot or two. Not to speak of the current agains and with us.
But we have been able to sleep and eat comfortably.

The weather is going to change to a very faverouble direction for crossing the Bay of Biscay.
But not until Monday. So we will have a couple of days stop in Camaret-Sur-Mer.
We hope to arrive there late Friday or early Saturday.

A bit of traffic and we are trying to shift position between the separation zones
in order to be in a better position to head due south into Brest area.

Will write more and post some pictures when in Camaret.

Grete & Geir


 PS few hours left beforre arriving Camaret. This is how track looks like. We have burned close to 150L diesel. Constant wind from the W-SW ment no sailing, as gybing in the English channel Time Saparation System is very difficult. In addition strong currents and it's always the current against that are the strongest one ;)

 

09/08/2021

Time to continue

 Lazy and slow days in Dover. Did some shopping. Improved the solar panel installation. Made a tally, re-supplied our food-stores, some of what we bought on our previous Atlantic voyage 2 ears ago.

Our plan is to leave Dover Tuesday at noon and sail in the direction of LeHavre, then do another change to sail W/NW and finally past Brest. The weather for the coming week looks fine for a good crossing of the bay of Biscay. We will probably sail to Camarinas, west of A Coruna. 

Grete is doing her magic in the galley- very good sniff of Norwegian meatballs in brown gravy, potatoes and stewed cabbage

Grete & Geir


05/08/2021

Relaxing while waiting on weather

We will be waiting on weather here in Dover. It’s a fine marina located in an old dock basin. They have built a completely new dock that will soon be opened. 




 

04/08/2021

Sorry France, Boris opened up…

 We had originally wanted our first port of call to be Dover. But we were told they did not accept non UK boats and to contact them again for possible changes. As we sailed into the English Channel yesterday we sent another request by email. The reply was very good. Coming from an EU/Shengen country and being fully vaccinated we were very welcome. We arrived at 2200 and were given a good pontoon in Granville dock. Geir had made a previous visit here as crew of another boat and almost remembered the way into the marina. The view at low and high tide can be very deceptive. 

The weather forecast does not look very promising for the coming days. We might have to stay here for the weekend.