Back in Vigo

 We have been to Vigo on our last voyage in 2019. We arrived Vigo PM the 30th August. Marina Davila located in the suburb of Bouzas. We had a very foggy trip and therefore chose to sail in the traffic separation zone to avoid meeting vessels. The direct track would have been shorter, but also buisier with local fishing boats.

Sailing on th NW coast of Spain requires in our opinion a good radar and understanding
of how to use it - to plot a target and see witch way it is moving and how fast.

As we got closer to the marine we were called by Vigo pilot informing us of a large cargo vessel which was about to cast of from the RO-RO terminal. We reduced speed and waited for the vessel to pass. Visibility was down to 50 to 100 meters. 

As fog lifted, vessel was 200m from us.

 

RO-RO terminal to the right, marina a bit further in.                

When we passed them and looked out to our port side the fog lifted and we saw a large wall of steel rising op from the sea, 200m away. We motored the last 5 minutes into the marina and were welcomed by the marina straff who gave us a hand with tie-up and power connection.

Doing the paperwork

The next day we had our laundry done while we taxied up to Alcampo supermarked.
Its a large well stocked place about 10 minutes by taxi from the marina.
We also tried to get hold of special kind of deck paint - as we have plans for a major job when we get to Porto Santo, in the Madeira’s. And a new solar panel we planned to fit the foredeck. But none of this was available locally. We will just have to try elsewhere.

Shopping done

Masks neccessary and compulsary at Alcampos.

Illa de Ons

 After a couple of calm, quiet and relaxing days at anchor in Arousa we received a navigation permit to visit the nature reserve Illa de Ons. We departed Sunday 29th August and motored the short stretch of just 3 hrs and anchored our side Playa Melide. A long popular sandy beach. 

 Unfortunately the demand was all dinghies had to be carried up to the upper end of the beach - too hard work for us. We ended up watching the island from the boat.

 The final day fog rolled in and visibility was next to nothing. A bit scary as local fishing boats came pretty close. We could hear their engines and the waves slapping against our boat. We decided to leave for the city of Vigo where we would fill up with fresh water and foods/drinks. At same time do our laundry and get rid of the garbage.

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.

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.

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

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 ;)

 

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