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Bolero - Rocking, Rolling, Riding



Finisterre lived up to its reputation, and delivered a challenging passage.

The last 60 miles into Bayona proved that the game ain’t over until the fat lady sings. We had said how perfect the conditions had been for anyone crossing Biscay………… then things pepped up a bit from 19.30.

The wind completely died and we wallowed tacking and gybing on the same heading to find the merest of zephyrs on a perfectly smooth sea. Then, as quickly as it had gone, the wind returned and we were off again in heavy seas. This pattern continued all the way to Bayona.

A crash gybe followed by goose winging in 35 knots is not for the faint hearted. The headsail was furled and we charged on under full main at 8 knots….quite quick for 43 year old 19 tons!

The wind finally died down and by midnight we were becalmed again, then it filled in and we were able to sail under full main and a reefed Genoa. As we approached the islands off Bayona at 0230 the wind coughed and we were becalmed again. Despite the temptation to use the engine to motor in, the button was not pushed and we finished with zero engine hours at 05.58.

We are looking forward to exploring Bayona.


Fair winds

Nick, Maz, Steve and Willy





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