My birthday. Not saying how old.
11.00 Up anchor Motoring – wind various, less than 5kts.
13.30
Rounded Cabo Corrubedo
42deg 34.087N
09deg 05.772W
Thank god for Navionics. Got it on both phones now..
14.00
Through the Canal de Sagres, a passage only 200m wide in places between some scary looking rocks. The general sense of alarm is only heightened by the large trawlers bearing down on us from astern and passing metres away.
15.15
Engine off, sailing under full main and genoa on a broad reach. Still a bit of weather helm when the wind gets over 11 or 12 knots, but nothing unmanageable. The first reef has been in since Ardglass, so it’s good to get the creases out! It was the first time we have had the mainsail up since our first Biscay night.
16.15
Well, that was a pleasant hour, but the wind died so it’s engine on again. Motored up to and round Isla Arousa, threading our way through the massed viveiros (mussel rafts), intending to anchor in the big bay North of the bridge, but it looked pretty exposed in tonight’s forecast N-Easterlies so we turned back to anchor in the bay south of Punta Caballo.
18.00
Anchored in 10m – unable to get in any closer due to yellow swimming boys. Two other (much bigger, of course) yachts anchored here.
We almost immediately wished we had stuck to Plan A, as the wee bay is a magnet for jetski lunatics hurtling round and try ound the anchored yachts. As we were coming in one jetski with three girls on it came within 10ft doing about 30 knots, swerving to send a shower of spray and girly laughter over us.
Cigar racing speedboats career through the viveiros at insane speeds as well, there is constant wake and noise.
20.00
Most of the petrol-powered lunatics have gone home. Paella and peace.
21.00
The most beautiful sunset… a great birthday.