La Coruna

bet you all think we have been lost at sea by now.

Well we finally left Falmouth after being beset with engine problems electrical then engineering, then a third attempt to leave we had a gas regulator problem and had to wait 4 days for a new one to be delivered or cross Biscay without any way of cooking or making hot drinks. Other times Southerly gales in Biscay and Plymouth, so finally left for La Coruna on the morning of Sat 1 August.

Waiting for weather....... and washing!

Typical rainy Falmouth day

It took us 6 days to get down here. The first day we had favourable winds blowing us as far as Ushsant. Then the winds turned against us and we spent a couple of days tacking around the wind trying to go south but mostly going east and west of our intended destination. It starts to get a bit depressing when the next day’s plot sees you having moved quite a long way but it is only almost parallel to were you were 12 hours ago!

We should have left in summer......oh we did. Sunset in Biscay

We were very pleased with our 3rd crew member Old Harry once we got the measure of him. He is our wind vane steering device. He steers by the wind and we treat him with a lot respect as he is on watch a lot and saves us steering all of the time. We cannot get him to keep look out though and he doesn’t join in with sundowners either!

Then finally we got a northerly wind, but it was so light that we wallowed along for 2 days at one point only covering 17 miles (of our 439 miles) in 12 hours (Keith said it would have been quicker to walk, but even He can’t walk on water....although he may be able to float on water now as he has chilled considerably since he lost all the stress of the weight on his poor shoulders before we left home!!) Not the usual fearsome reputation of Biscay (I broke my ribs sailing in Biscay in 1989). Then the final day the wind picked up still from the North and we steamed on down into Coruna finally! Didn’t see much of the sunshine on the way down here, but hopefully the weather changes from here on! (Wore our thermals all the way down and this is supposed to be August!) Good old yacht Rapau, she did well Pete and Jacquie!

Raising the Spanish courtesy flag on arriving in Spain

(can I claim advertising fees for wearing HWTMA fleece in Spain Garry?)

We met up with Bob and Arlene on their boat Seaya (used to be called Magic for those who know them) when we came into the marine, they awaited us with a hola! and a 5ltr box of 6 euro wine! (must seek this out!)

Wednesday 12 August

We have just about done all the sight seeing in Coruna, here are some of the sights. for those who like to look at travel writer books!

Hercules Lighthouse.

Maria Pita Square

And for the archaeological interest of the Trust:



A roman excavation in Coruna


And for the social interest of them and the rest!

I didn't really want another one.................

Had a trip on the train to Santiago de Compostella which has lots of lovely architecture. 8 euros and a nice day out, though a little commercialised. The weather has warmed up considerably now, even hot at last. Been for a few runs and only got lost once (oh and nearly run over several times as you know what it is like trying to cross the road when the cars come from the wrong direction!)

Leaving to hop round the coast further tomorrow.