Not enough sleep… For me, it was the rumour that Spain could institute a second national lockdown two weeks today coupled with a forecast for prolonged strong N-easterly winds which make the chances of rounding Finisterre and escaping Spain before then look slim. The Spanish government have denied the rumour, but then they would, wouldn’t they? Virus numbers are certainly crazy in Spain right now, the National and regional administrations seem to be losing their grip on the situation.
09.50
Recovered our anchor and motored out of the ria, watching our position on the chart carefully to avoid some nasty pinnacle rocks guarding the Western corner of the entrance.
11.00
Still motoring, no wind. Some sort of weather warning/forecast on the VHF, but I obviously picked the wrong channel.
Catherine feeling a bit seedy due to lack of sleep and rolly motoring, resting in the saloon. Me really wanting some wind – apart from anything else, our old and slightly incontinent engine could do with a rest!
Another beautiful, hot day, shorts and t-shirt feels overdressed.
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12.00
43deg 36.06′ N
08deg 15.95′ W
Still motoring, no wind!
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12.30
Rounding Cabo Prior. More spectacular and scary looking rocks and invisible underwater pinnacles.
16.10
Alongside in Mariña Real, La Coruna, after a couple of unscheduled manoevers. As ever if I call up, no-one answered, then as we came in we saw ‘waiting pontoon on the first hammerhead. Catherine got the bow line attached, then one of the marineros appeared saying no, not possible, and offered us a choice of berths. Catherine pulled the bow in and jumped on, but reversibility became Vega-like in the rising wind, and a reverse pirouette was instigated. This attempted elegance was then abandoned in a panic when the trip boat Rias Altas Dos came steaming out of the marina at ten knots, and converted into a hard over 180 between the trots, much to the confusion of our helpful marinero.
I chose East-facing on the second row in to be further away from swell coming in the entrance, hanging off and with the forecast Nor’easter more on the bow than the beam. How wise this was remains to be seen, watch this space.
Mariña staff are helpful and friendly, with very good English, but it is expensive… A 20% discount for 6 days though, an offer that, looking at the forecast, we are pretty likely to take advantage of.
Now it is time to sort out snubbers and tapas, in that order.