Corunna to Finisterre (maybe) and on to Vigo (not quite!)

26th August

After the crew left on the 24th, the sun was shining and the forecast for the next day was 20 - 25 Knots of wind, dropping to 10 - 15 Knots at the end of the day.

As we left Corunna, the day was bright and we had a beautiful view of the town and harbour.

As we passed the tower of Hercules, the first lighthouse in the world (first built by the Romans) all was looking good.

And even the promised rain held off.

Well not for long!  The wind built up to 25 Knots, 30, 35, 40 and we quickly had to reef as we faced storm force conditions with the waves building.  With two reefs in we hurtled along at 9 knots, 40 degrees off the wind.  Miss Liz II held her ground and we didn't have to go for the third reef, but for quite a few hours we bounced around as we fetched towards Finisterre.  With the weather against us we looked to our bail out port and headed for Camarinas, a beautiful little town.  But before we reached there the fog came in and visibility dropped to virtually nil.  On went the radar and with the AIS we were pretty confident we would not hit, or be hit by anything!  Using radar and plotter we sneaked into port where the fog had cleared. Interestingly, a Danish Beneteau left Corunna quarter of an hour after us but arrived in Camarinas 4 hours after us!

The Marina, quiet and quaint with excellent hot showers helped to revive us after the wet soaking of a long 10 hour cruise over 57 NM.

At port we met some more ARC members, a family from the UK and a Norwegian Couple.

Dave, prepared an excellent dinner (pasta again... hate to say it!!). An early (ish) finish ready for the 26th.

27th August.

Morning arrived and we planned for Vigo, but weather at 25 Knots forecast it looked like we would need to plan otherwise - and so it proved.

On leaving the sun shone....lasted half an hour before the clouds came in again. As we left Camarinas we followed a 35 ft French yacht, as they reached the entrance to the Rio, they did an about face as the swell and wind put them off. In 25 knots of wind we set off under full sail like a bat out of hell, but to have some level of comfort we reefed and set sail.

DAve spent some time making a Cat of three tails (nine is a bit cruel), ready for when the ARC crew return!

As we passed Finisterre, literally the end of earth in days gone by, the weather started to close in and the rain, the rain, returned....

Two reefs as we left Camarinas.

The ape in all its glory....before the weather turned...

What happened to the sea?????

That was the last of the good weather. The mist closed in again, along with heavy rain.  Eventually we reached our bail out Port of Portosin (Port of Sin??.....we will find out later!!), after another 8 hours sailing and 58 Miles covered.

Weather forecast remains wet with south westerlies tomorrow, moving to a westerly (thank goodness), winds 20 - 25 Knots, which means a great sail.  Hopefully no rain!  Good news is that the forecast gives Northerlies from Friday - and sunshine - which should drive us to Lisbon, we hope, by Sunday.....

So first two days have been tough but fun. Getting a real feel for How Miss Liz II behaves, and so far impeccable. A few issues still with the jammers for the main halyard and Jib Sheet not holding, but we have worked around  this with a little improvisation. The blocks for the Jbb furling sheet. with plastic rollers, have predictably started to seize and so rope friction has meant that at least one is not working, again we overcame with block and soft shackle.  So keeping us on our toes!  Now, as a treat, eating out tonight....I think we deserve it after the last two days.......

Bay of Biscay First Timers....Boat and Crew....

22nd August

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.....

Here comes the Bay

Ahead of the trip all is looking well. Crew set to be in Plymouth for Friday and the weather is looking good, westerlies 15 - 20 knots Friday and Saturday, becoming cyclonic Sunday (so guess there will be some motoring), with the wind freshening up for Sunday night from the South East. Hopefully we will be in port late Sunday!!!

Watch this space over the weekend for the Blogs.....

Resting in Port and Plymouth Ho! Weekend 8th - 10th August, 2014

Arrived early to Hamble Point to check all of the work that has been done, that everything is working and running we'll before departing for Plymouth and then onwards.

A few panics getting everything fixed on board on time, and a temporary fix with the lifelines (still waiting for the custom lifelines to arrive).  But the good news was that everything is working well….except email via the satellite phone which I continue to work on.

So 6th - 8th of August Miss LIz and Bernie the sea dog were able to have a short break on Miss Liz II.

Everyone working hard as you can see below.

Miss Liz with the Bernster….what's happening over there??

 Wot, no drink for me?

Bernie the night Watchman

Good news was that Miss Liz and Bernie enjoyed it - so bodes well for the future….the great weather helped too!


The aim of the weekend was the first overnight sail for the crew to Plymouth and the Mayflower Marina.  The bad news was that the remnants of Hurricane Bertha was on its way and heading directly for us, so we had a tight deadline. It also meant that we would be beating all of the way and with short choppy seas it was not going to be the most comfortable of trips.

The boys, Chris, Jon and Rob all arrived at 9.30 pm on the friday evening just as the heavens opened….a great start. Bags quickly stowed and kit on and we departed Hamble Point in the dark with the rain, but with wind from the north, it meant we could at least start off with a good sail.

We passed out of the Hamble River to the sight of the Esso Fawley refinery in all its glory.

The Fawley Refinery at night

As we turned towards Cowes up Southampton water we were met by the fireworks display marking the end of Cowes week, followed by hundreds of Lunatics in fast boats heading home to the Hamble, many with no lights and many, thoughtlessly cutting across our bow (too close for comfort) with the wake throwing us about.

Fortunately, we were soon clear and sails up we broad reached, achieving 14 knots over the ground with the tide in our favour.  This made sure we had a fast journey out past the Needles and on to Portland Bill.

By the time we got into Poole bay the wind had changed to a WSW blow at force 5, this built during the night to a 6 and a 7. A few lessons learned about reefing at night and which ropes to pull (and not to pull!) followed. Rob and Chris learning that reefing at night is not so easy as in the daytime. Also, the topping lift caught on the new insulators on the back stay which we could not clear until the morning. Wind managed to gust unto 30 Knots on occasions, but MLII managed well with just one reef in.

Testing out the water maker and genset we made 100 liters of water in 2 hours. All well!

As morning broke we found ourselves entering Lyme Bay facing a long day beating, with the tide in our face. The good news was that the wind had dropped to a force 4 so to keep to our schedule we motor sailed for most of the day.

Chris at the mast managing the topping lift as we sort out the back stay tangle.

Lesson learnt!

Impressed! hydrogenerator at work. At 8 knots we did not lose any batter power, despite loading up the power draw.

The fun of a long run, Jon assuming his usual pose, after the bacon sandwich breakfast. Staple foods!

Time to learn some knots. Rob "tie a sheep what!", David "Bend!", Rob " I thought we were talking about knots!"…..basically sums it up….

Self checking all is well… 8 Knots, that will do.

Look Ma! No Hands!  Who needs a crew?

The SSB Radio aerial set up. Note insulators on the backstay to isolate the upper section of the mast so it can act as the aerial. The lower isolator is what we wrapped the topping lift around. Normally it would fall off the backstay but the aerial connection proved a great snagging point. Just need to watch it in future.

The day passed and eventually we sighted land at Start Point. Seen here from Astern as we continued to beat.

Passing the final headland we entered into the bay and  we finally had Plymouth in Sight. BY this time wind was increasing again, heading north of F6.

Rob and Jon. Excited about seeing land again….

As we approached the breakwater, we dropped the Jib and Main and motored in past the breakwater and its light.  Thoughts on the history of the place, and significance to us crossed our minds. We follow in the wake of many famous sailors!  If only THEY knew who would follow…..

Chris looking thoughtful - first time we had seen this expression. 

As we motored into the harbor we called into the Mayflower Marina and let them know we would be there in ten minutes…..little did we know! As we turned into the bay a kayaker lay dead ahead, we called a welcome….and found out that he was sinking and needed help. so, Man overboard procedures  came into play and we under took our first rescue! Laying alongside we threw a line and pulled him to the transom and loaded him (Lee) and towed the Kayak.  He was pretty exhausted and thankful for the help, he was just about to call the coastguard. So feeling good about the good deed we entered the Marina and berthed at Foxtrot 2. Tying up, and helping Lee to shore we pondered on the passage we had just made. The crew - and Miss Liz II had passed with flying colours. Not only that we had made approximately 150 miles in under 19 house at an average speed of almost 8 knots - beating most of the way, but also the night sail and the experience that had added to the crews repertoire.  All of a sudden the next trip - across the Bay of Biscay didn't seem so daunting.

View from the Berth at the Mayflower Marina. The old Naval docks

Our neighbors at berth had actually just crossed from a Corunna, with no wind, motoring all of the way….we can hope!!

That evening the wind rapidly increased to an F8/9 and even at berth we could feel the force as Bertha came through. As we tucked into our curry we were happy to just listen to the wind in the rigging!!

The next day we cleaned up the boat and went for supplies ready for the bay trip in 11 days time.  Also loaded up with diesel and 100 liters of back up fuel just in case.  Jon set up the lee cloths in the quarter berths ready for the next trip and with Chris, set up the netting in the main cabin so we could store items without them flying all over the place! The rest of the day was spent organizing and packing gear into the new scuba boxes. All now ship shape. Good job guys.

Later on the Sunday my Dad and brother Malc arrived to stay for the evening and see Miss Liz II.

Dad enjoying the comfort of MLII after a long journey down from Cheshire.

Malc…."where's the whisky!!"

On the whole a great trip, even better to have shared a stay with Dad and Malc, even though we couldn't sail due to the weather.

Now, ready for the Bay of Biscay….watch this space!