After a long journey down to Plymouth (thanks to daughter Dawn for the left we safely arrived at the Mayflower Marina early in the morning. After a couple of hours sleep, and following the inspection of the boat and equipment....and with an extra member of crew in Dave McKay, we prepared to leave Plymouth. After much looking at the weather GRIB's, Met forecasts and anything else we could get our hands on, we decided that we would be able to Make Corunna before a low lurking to the West of Finisterre.
So, preparations began and we loaded up the questionable crew.....Jon confirming he will never make a model....
Miss Liz II ready to go....
Hydrovane fully functional and ready to go, as is the watt and sea hydrogenrator. Both proved themselves on the voyage, with the hydrovane working tremendously well across a rnge of conditions. Key being to set Miss Liz II up, properly balanced before setting it loose. Quiet and efficient with no energy draw - perfect. And at 7 knots and above the watt and sea covered onboard power usage well.
Jon trying to wash awkward stains, in this case Rob....off the deck before departure...
The journey started well, with 15 Knot winds from WSW providing great drive and we headed past Eddystone lighthouse at a creditable 8 plus knots.
As we settled into the long voyage and crew rotas Chris established his look out position.....
And with the great weather, too stave off boredom the crew settled into eye spy...Rob.....something beginning with S? Nope, give me a minute...
Chris faring no better....W????? Give me a minute...
As the journey passed we were rarely alone, Dolphins, Porpoise, Basking Sharks and Whales were frequently seen....making the journey one of fun and awe...
Through the first day we made good time and we were off Ushent at the end of Day 1,....but then the wind started to drop. That night with clear skies the Milky way and shooting stars kept us busy spotting and provided a humbling experience as we watched the heavens in all their glory. But, by Dawn this was our view, spectacular but frustrating with light winds from the South West meaning the Iron sail had to make an appearance.
And this continued throughout the day, but our friends continued to visit and brighten up the day...
Splashing through the wake and the bow wave the skill and speed was breathtaking to behold.
But with a flat sea, the day continued with some sail but mainly engine. By the second day we were mid Biscay. The team looking suitable enthusiastic.....
The rota system being new to the team included a poker session for the boys, Rob looking suitably pensive as the professionals gave him a tough time.....
Under engine as under sail, Miss Liz pushed on well, and as for previous runs we achieved a creditable average of 7.1 Knots..
As ever, the "will it hit us" game resumed and the AIS became a fascinating study at night as we passed through very busy traffic....
The night scene!
Mid Biscay, 1 am BST on the Sunday morning... At this point the team had got over the shock of losing he depth sounder ..... as with the Abysal plain depths reached over 4800 meters!
By Sunday, to keep busy we decided to top up the diesel tanks with the 100 liter reserve we caried....
As usual, Jon decided to take the management and quality control position.... Average fuel consumption for the trip worked out at just over 6 liters per hour.....with engine rpm typically 1800 - 200 rpm....not as goos as we would have liked.
Genset also came on for a 4 hour run for the watermaker and we manged 50 liters per hour, filling the tanks in 4 hours. Only one top up being needed, despite everyone using the showers and JOn having a clean fetish with the pots and pans!
Sunday evening the wind started to build as the low came in and the evening was a little uncomfortable as we beat into the wind, slamming common place as we needed to hit the flight deadline for the crew...
Finally, Monday morning came and in the dark we crept into Marina Corunna at 07.45 By 11 am after showers and sprucing up of Miss Liz II, refreshment called.....
Marina Tower, Corunna. Wow, Heathrow doesn't have a tower like that!
The team (minus Dave who took the picture) with a clean Miss Liz II. We found four other yachts at Corunna heading for the ARC.
Castle St Angelo, Corunna Harbour. A beautiful location for a marina.
Refreshments at the ready, note David and Rob on coffee. The Tapas was pretty good too at the Marina restaurant.....and the prices equally refreshing
Marina Corunna.
Finally the boys left and Dave and I went to explore Corunna, a beautiful city with a lot of Monasteries...
So the first leg of the trip to Gran Canaria complete with few issues. Dave and I will now day sail down the Spanish and Portugese coast before we set off for Madeira and Finally Gran Canaria. Here's hoping for fair winds and the continuation of the Grand Voyage.....
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