Biscay Crossing - on to Sunny Spain

We left L'Aber Wrack, and after much consultation of Almanacs and of the Old Sea Dogs themselves (you know who you are!) we decided to go round Ouessant instead of waiting for the tidal gate through the Chenal du Four / Raz de Sein.



Going round Ouessant was an experience:  It is a very inhospitable coast, with huge and confused seas - none of those on board had ever been in a sea like it.  Abbie rose to the occasion, helming rather than succumbing to sea sickness.  Testament to the power of Stugeron.

Ouessant

This in no way does justice to the size of the waves off Ouessant!

The crossing took 65 hours, during which time we had all sorts of weather - from 40kts breeze down to 4kts - we motored for 23 hours, and it rained every time Abbie was on watch!

Rain clouds clearing

All alone

The real highlight of the trip was the dolphins - they stayed with us for most of a day.

The water was crystal clear, and the dolphins really did seem to play to the audience, turning to look up at us as they swum past.  Amazing.

When we finally reached the Spanish coast, we thought the instruments were lying and we were actually in Scotland, on a bad day!!

Welcome to Sunny Spain - We were expecting sunshine and sand!

We reached Rio de La Coruna at about midnight - a vast confusion of lights, 30kts and a big swell.  No problem so far.  Then the Marina:  We found our way in past the wave breaks, and debated where to go - we picked an apparently easy berth on a slightly more sheltered pontoon - all went well until the very last minute when it went horribly wrong!  We seemed to be catapulted back out quicker than we went in - in the cold light of dawn we went to investigate:  there seems to be a local habit of protecting your parking spot with additional lines, not at all visible in the dark, after 65 hours of sailing!

 

The Yacht Catapult

Following a well deserved rest, we went to check out the local attractions:

Beer and Tapas:  Meal and drinks for three for €35

Town Hall - at night

Nautilus, far right, in La Coruna Marina

The Very Long harbour arm, Port Control Tower visible in the distance

The next morning we set off on foot to check out the local sights - an essential was a visit to the Tower of Hercules - initially built by the Romans in the 1st Century AD, it was re-clad in 1788 in keeping with the neo classical taste of the times by Giannini.  Now a World Heritage Site,  it is the only lighthouse of antiquity that is still in operation today.

The Tower of Hercules

The view from the top of the tower

The Compass Rose

The size of a Helipad, this mosaic disc at the base of the Tower marks the spot where the Celts divided themselves and went to 8 different regions:  Scotland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Wales, Turkey, Spain, Cornwall and Brittany.

The walk to the Tower was filled with its own attractions:

Local artwork

And some more

And some more ...

Not at all sure about this one!!!

A Menhir

Resting in front of La Coruna's answer to Stonehenge

The Coastal Path

After our long walk to the Tower we headed back into town for a light ale and ice cream - it is a town of MANY windows:  Known as the Glass City, it must be a window cleaner's nightmare!  

The Windows - technically known as Galerias

One final image of La Coruna

How to clear a beach!

The Plan - Next Stop:  Portugal 

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