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Indulgence - Cork to Varzim



After a delay of over a week due to mechanical problems “Dulgie” slipped out of CROSSHAVEN at 1300hrs UT on Thur 6th Sept in a SSW F3. 

We motored at 5.5kts for 3 hrs when the wind veered and allowed us set a course of 189 degrees under sail at 6.5kts.  By midnight the wind dropped again and we had to revert to the donkey for the next 14hrs in pond-like conditions.

As forecast the wind returned from the east and we reached across Biscay at an average of 6.5kts over the next two days.  Approaching NW Spain the wind went forward forcing us to again use the motor into CAMARINAS  at 1300hrs UT on Mon 10th Sept (exactly 4 Days and 550nm).

Working the “Mother Watch” proved acceptable to the 4 crew who were not overly-tasked as the auto-helm performed impeccably. 

The only two incidents of note on the crossing were:

A considerable amount of water (fresh) was noticed in the bilge and the resulting investigation found that the inspection hatch on the starboard water tank was not secured properly.  “We can’t be doing that on the big jump”.

The more serious incident was when “The Foxy Fella” was stung on his ‘Piggy stayed at home’.  Fortunately, “Dr. Lane” was on hand and used his credit card to save the patient.  His follow-up visits proved a source of entertainment for “The Dub” Paul who was learning some Cork Culture and language with words like ‘zLanger’ and ‘monboywilla’ (Come on Boy Will Ya?).  That said, I heard some new ones myself!

After a night and day in CAMARINAS  we pushed off at 1800hrs in a brisk northerly which flushed us down the Iberian coast at a comfortable 7kts sometimes under reefed head only.  Two crew had booked flights out of Porto on the 14th and consequently we could not call into BAIONA for coffee, or any-other refreshment, with Ray and Mary who were expecting us.

Early morning fishing provided us with our first two Tuna of the trip which were delectably cooked by our new shanghighed Scottish Chef ‘Grundsmon Willy’.  

We arrived in POVOA DA VARZIM at 1530hrs on 12th Sept to be greeted by a very friendly and helpful staff.  Joleen’s guitar and our on-board singers are proving very popular among the locals and other visiting yachties.   I can’t think of a better place to hold up for a couple of weeks.  Weather is hot and sunny with temps in the mid and high twenties.

John

OVER



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