Another early start for the final race (no they are not really races however as any sailor will know – two boats sailing in the same direction immediately becomes a race). Strange looking porridge (attacked by weevils) soaked overnight proved to be disgusting so Jane had to attack the other cereals.

We are the Champions (again!!)

Although the crew were coiled springs, ready for a perfect start in sunny and windy conditions, a gremlin had been on board overnight and had put a stopper knot in the genoa furling line. Being downwind of the start with only a mainsail up and ready resulted in the good ship Dawn Strider crossing the line about ten minutes late.

We awoke to a beautiful day – blue sky and sun, with winds from a favourable direction. Just the conditions we had been promised for the whole Rally. Off with the thermals and on with the shorts and sun screen.

We had an excellent day’s sailing. Staying relatively inshore in order to appreciate the stunning views. And yes, Joe. We finally hoisted the parasail fling it on tow guys only, and poling it out. With the main down it was an easy sail to use compared to the spinnaker however proved to be challenging to gybe. This was later discoed with Thomas, they parasail guru, who explained that he recommends sailing with sheets and guys if it will require gybing.

A civilised start time of 0900 hours allowed us to get up at 0630 for a quick breakfast of melon and sweet milk bread rolls. Sadly the weather remained cloudy for much of the day and thermals were still the dress code for Jane. The wind continued to be on the nose keeping all the crew busy with frequent tacks. As happened on many days the wind picked up in the afternoon, which required us to put in two reefs at short notice. (Yes, when you think it is time to reef, just get on and do it).

After our late arrival, the Skipper kindly released the crew to go on an excellent tour of Povoa and the surrounding area. It was fascinating to see the varied houses which returned emigrants had built in the style of the country in which they had been living such as Swiss chalets and Brazilian homes. This results in huge contrasts with the poor locals, living in quite different circumstances.

The whole area was very fertile with vegetables and fruit being grown in what appeared to be pure sand, fertilised by dried seaweed.

We were last over the start line on the leg from Figueira da Foz to Peniche, a distance of some 55 nautical miles. It seemed that the other two catamarans in our class had each been the last boat over the line on previous legs and today it was our turn. We arrived with time to spare and after the countdown and the blast from the foghorn, still held back. We had to wait for a monohull, running on its engine without a sail in sight, racing down from the river, past the dredger in the entrance, to cross the line. Our captain formally registered with rally control that we were indeed, the last boat over the line. Last that is, except for two boats, one monohull and one catamaran, both of which had decided not to leave that morning. They had seen a weather forecast predicting 30 knot winds. The rest of us had only been privy to a forecast showing a maximum 19 knot wind and falling.

I’m still exhausted. This Rally is more of a booze cruise than anything, I don’t think we can keep up with these old boys! On Tuesday we left Bayona and made our way across to Pavoa da Varzim, our first stop in Portugal. It’s unfortunate that this is Brendan’s first experience of Portugal as Pavoa is a very run down place. We walked through high rise tenement blocks covered in graffiti and tracts of barren waste land to find somewhere to have lunch yesterday and the marina is not the most attractive I’ve ever seen.

At the Skippers’ Briefing we were promised 7 knots of wind maximum and with this in mind, Rally Portugal Control requested an engine start. Dawn Strider went up and down the line on several occasions trying to ascertain the correct end of the line (or was it to get the best photo opportunity?!).

I was asked to join the Goldrush crew of four earlier in the year and jumped at the chance of the infamous Biscay crossing and only a few days before we were about to set off from Mayflower Marina unfortunately Chris Nail who looked after the Navigation had to drop out so I was thrown in at the deep end as Navigator...

Majority of crew arrived down on Friday in time for the briefing and excellent sailing supper. Having been kindly mini bussed to the wrong Sainsbury’s for provisioning, Cliff and Jane were forced to evacuate mid shop due to a fire alarm. The remainder of the crew thought that they had gone AWOL in order to get out of final yacht preparation (or were they actually in the bar?). Cliff’s wife, Robin, joined us (or should we say Cliff) for a final and fond farewell (or was she trying to talk him out of the Rally).

Saturday 8th June

On Tuesday of last week we were put back in the water and on the Wednesday we sailed from Mylor round to Plymouth. When we arrived Ian Bloom from Tapestry took our lines and said his wife would be glad to see another couple, as everyone on the Rally seemed to be male.

Well, it´s been done. The Bay of Biscay that is - and never to be repeated! Actually, the Bay wasn´t the worst part for us. The worst part was Cape Finisterre. We decided to take the outer route ie outside the separation zone, so we were about 50 miles off shore but what an awful sea! We had Force 7 northerlies, gusting Force 8, sending us surfing down those waves at speeds of 12 knots! But then some of those 6 metre waves broke over us and that wasn´t pleasant.

Each day during the rally, yachts at sea can submit a log of their passage. These logs together with any pictures sent via satellite communications, will be posted here. The first logs are expected 24 hours after departure.