Our 2020 trip from Balvicar Bay to the Canary Islands in Avy~J. We took a sad neglected boat, and turned her into a beautiful ocean going yacht. From start to finish, through disappointments and setbacks, at times wondering if it would ever happen, we did it! We’re going, tomorrow!!!!! Leaving date 1st August 2020. Follow us on our website: avy-j.co.uk.
1st Aug 2020 Balvicar Bay to Craobh Haven:
New batteries fitted, water tank filled, and picked up Darren, left for Isle of Gigha, spent night.
2nd Aug Gigha to Glenarm (NI)
Spent night.
3rd Aug Glenarm to Ardglass (NI)
Four nights in Ardglass.
7th Aug Left Ardglass for the Scillies
Had to turn back to Ardglass due to too much weather helm. Two nights in Ardglass, Darren adjusted all the rigging to re-position the mast.
9th Aug Set off again for the Scillies from Ardglass
A three day/night passage), weather helm improved.
12th Aug Arrived in the Scillies late evening
Had three days down the Irish Sea seeing large Dolphin pods, amazing! Waiting in the Scillies for a five day weather window to cross the Bay of Biscay to La Coruna (Spain), weather not in our favour, so was decided to head for Brittany.
13th Aug Left the Scillies for France (Brittany)
30 hour passage.
14th Aug Arrived in Brittany
Made landfall in Camaret marina, North Brittany, stayed three nights.
17th Aug Left Camaret for Audierne
Down the coast 20 miles closer to Spain.
25th Aug Still here in Audierne lol
No good weather window yet to make the final three and a half day crossing of the Bay of Biscay to Spain, Darren gone home Mon 24th, we’re on our own! But the French bread, and giant shrimps are amazing! And so is the wine, so l’m told.
29th Aug Finally a weather window for the three day crossing of the Bay of Biscay from France to Spain.
High winds forecast for today, followed by very little wind. Late departure due to a burst water tank, what a mess, water flooding the place. Finally left approx 4pm, seven miles offshore in really big seas and strong winds, going well until the wind vane disconnected itself, Nick managed to retrieve it, and it was decided conditions were too wild for us to hand steer all night, turned back to France, quite disheartened, and a hard slog back in horrible conditions, and wind against us. Moored in a bay round from Audierne. Nick will try and fix Navik in the morning, and we will attempt to head out again.
30th August – Biscay Crossing
Nick unsure if Navik will work, suspicious AIS not working, and radio not working, feeling disheartened. But lo and behold, radio started working, we set off at 1pm with good wind, Navik worked, and AIS! First 17 or 18 hours of trip sailed non stop, Navik perfect, wind range between 10 and 20 kts. Sadly had to motor the rest of the way, very little wind, so boat very rolly, not a lot of sleep over last two days.
2nd Sept Arrived North Coast of Spain.
Land sited around 1.30am, finally entered the Bay of Viveiro at 7.30, anchored off the beach at 8, food, tidied up, washed, and hit the sack until 1pm, both absolutely knackered, but happy, we made it!