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Webster - Log 3: we made it to Bayona



Well we made it to Bayona after an epic sail over Biscay. Webster was hitting 11 knots at times surfing down some decent waves, the wind was blowing 4-5 occasionally 6 day and night and the sun was out ( not at night I hasten to add). All was well until we were approaching Cape Finnisterre, a place with an awesome reputation. Faced with a choice of going inside the shipping lanes or going the long way round the outside, with a NE predominant forecast the inside was the way. Our forecasts however were slightly incomplete as we were having radio problems -we could transmit clearly on VHF and SSB but we had very sketchy reception on SSB and nothing at all on VHF ; many had been trying to raise us and no doubt were fed up hearing Webster, Webster, Webster repeated how many times! Yesterday it was all fine so why today it was up the chute I really had no clue -note to self, will need to try without the engine on.
Having committed to the inside track the wind died a death and switched SW - bang on the nose again! We had the engine on to charge batteries and Jerry managed somehow to lose his Essex YC cap over the side. Well normally that would be goodbye hat but on this occasion it was a case of swinging into action our 'HOB' procedure (hat over board) to recover it. With hat back we then proceeded to beat up to Finnisterre narrowly missing the Swan Nordlys, but it was fun tacking on the shifts albeit frustrating. It ended up going lighter and lighter and an all night beat ensued sailing on feel alone as it was pitch black with no stars. At 0400 the light came back and the last vestiges of the breeze left so on war the motor and 4 hours later we turned it off and sailed the last 5 miles into Bayona. Biscay can be a nasty place to be and we had ticked it off the list of things to do before you die! Brilliant! Very pleased with the boat and if the radios can be made to work we will not feel quite so isolated out there.
Right, First a shower, then Tapas and beer. Maybe first a beer then a shower? Decisions, decisions.........
Charlie (Webster)


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