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Waterval - ARC Potugal so far



When we started out on june 1st there was a suspicion of strong southerly winds towards the last day. How true this proved to be! The fleet lies scattered over the north of Spain and the people of the organisation have to work there buts off to put it all together again. We had counted on a NW wind earlier on Biscay, but it never came.... This is how it went with us.


Day 1. June 1st

After the start line, where we blasted out Queen's "We are the champions" we took as the only ones the east exit on the Plymouth Sound and had a nice view of the others against the dark, hilly background. With a weak wind to beat against our boat is at its worst and we had to motorsail a lot.


Day 2. June 2nd
The west going tide didn't take us far enough to evade Ouessant and we ended up tacking against a fierce tide in the rain. We met with Spirit III, they took the Chenal du Four, we took the outside. Slowly we came to the Biscay crossing. The wind veered a bit to the west, just enough to keep our course. Early in the evening a swallow flew straight into the cabin! We told him to get out, but in she came again! Again we sent her out and closed the doors, where she hovered again and again. She rested under the sprayhood and took off with our wishes to find another ship and so, she did. Spirit III reported her in their blog and we heard from Pocellum that she visited them as well!

Day 3. June 3rd
Halfway Biscay and feeling very dirty. The perfect moment to take a shower, since we felt the wind feshening. We enjoyed the hot water (an advantage of motor sailing) and fresh clothes. The soap must have attracted the sea mammals: a huge group of about a 100 dolphins accompanied us into the night.
We are both very very tired and have to encourage each other. Being on call every 4 hours takes its toll apparently. The wind builds up, as do the waves. We are curious to see how Waterval will cope. However, she shows us she feels excellent in this type of weather. Dancing the waves at 8.5 knots under focsail only! Exhillarating sailing!

Day 4. June 4th
After an exciting night (max 35 knots of wind in the gusts...), the wind and the waves calm down. As Fleur takes her watch, a group of dolphins came to say good morning. They stay the entire 4- hour watch. A beautiful sight!
Unfortunately during the day the wind disappears entirely. We decide to speed up, because of the bad weather reports for the next day. We have a "land ho" of the Spanish coast with Porcellum ahead of us. At times we have radio contact. A weather report from the Finisterre coastal station mentions no serious winds and we hope we may reach Bayona. To be on the safe side we look up and note secondary ports in case they are wrong. We give her maximum speed to get at least past Finisterre and to the first Rio. If the wind picks up, we can always turn round and enter a safe haven.

Day5. June 5th
Around midnight we pass the first headland and motor on, between numerous fishing boats, sometimes confusing at night. Round 4 o'clock we pass Finisterre, we have a feeling of relief.

Some 5 hours later....no more than 2 knots speed against a force 7-8 Beaufort and building. Roger wakes up, gets a questioning look from Fleur and realises that we are truly tired and tacking against this weather is not for us at this time. Together we decide to enter the Rio de Muros. An elegant courseline on Yellowbrick is the result of this quick decision making.

As we approach the well-sheltered marina of Portosin, we start to wonder why we even stopped sailing. Only 2 kts of wind here! However, shortly after berthing Porcellum hops in, a couple of hours later followed by Orion. We feel justified.

The evening ends with a reasonable meal in excellent company. The 3 crews of Porcellum, Orion and Waterval get to know each other better. Light repairs on the boats are planned together. You can feel a community forming.

To be continued....

Roger and Fleur (No Nicknames here. Yet....)

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