2nd October Muros

Muros
Wonderful weather and a charming little town.We stayed here for a couple of days, while Malcolm drained the gunk from the bottom of the fuel tank. The French boat we saw in La Coruna is here as are Andy and Ruth (Velian II) and Ludo aboard his Rival 37.

2nd October Muros

Another day sail around the coast passing cape Finnisterre and other 'points' nice to see some scenery!
Early evening we closed in on Muros and anchored off the beach, but next day decided to anchor nearer the town. Out came the Avon for the first time and we went into town to explore and do a bit of shopping. It seems amazing that we need something whenever we stop - I never used to do as much living on land ! The trouble is if I buy too much it just gets wasted.
Monday 5th October the German next door told us there was a depression on it's way in,so we motored across the bay to Portosin Marina where we have been waiting for it to pass away.
While the weather is warm there are very high winds and constant showers so it is not as much fun as it has been. Still the company is great with the same crowd around that was with us in Muros and La Coruna plus new people too.

1st October Camarinas

Just a day sail along to Camarinas where we anchored in a bay for the night.
Peaceful or What ?

27th September La Coruna

After an Excellent sail from La Rochelle to La Coruna we cane alongside at 0500 in the morning, secured and went to bed. The capitainery (An Irish Chap awaoke us later asking if we wanted a better birth with electricity. We moved to comfort. Lovely warm and sunny weather very pleasant environment. We stayed for a few days and even got the bikes out to go exploring. The most prominant object is the oldest working lighthouse called the tower of Hercules so we cycled along cycle tracks out to it and then on around the town/city stopping at any botanical gardens or parks. We ended up on the beach for a couple of hours. The sea was not quite warm enough for swimming though.
The only minor upset in La Coruna was the demise of the first gas bottle, it involved finding a supplier and getting the old one to him and exchanging it for a full one. Of couse this meanty a taxi. When it came to fitting it it was just a tad bigger than the old one so we spent the rest of the day getting it in place. In the end we had to dump the other empty spare. I have it on good authority that gas is cheap in Portugal. More when we get there!

La Coruna is wonderful. Sunny warm and envigorating. We stayed for a few days and even got the cycles out to go exploring. The oldest working Lighthouse in the world! called the Tower of Hercules. The old Town is wonderful, plenty of old architechture. Also the burial site of Sir John Moore - who led his men in battle during the Napoleonic wars. A very touching tribute by his men.
Shopping must be done early in the morning to get the best from the local market - much more fun than a supermarket !
The only hiccup in La Coruna was the demise of the gas bottle. None to be had at the Marina so a taxi was needed to get a replacement. It turned out to be fractionally larger so had to be wrestled into place and we had to ditch the empty french spare too. I have it on good authority that gas is cheap in Portugal so along with Port we already have a shopping list.

Sunday 27th September

First the 2 images above Low tide at Royan smiling faces after Lunch,and second the Marinaand yes you can just see 'Piano'We arrived in La Coruna at the crack of dawn today 0500. and have spent the day chilling out. Will add stuff next blog when we have some pictures for you!
Just to fill in the story where I left it at Royan. The batteries have now been sorted ! We now have two new engine batteries which have been working fine with all the rest of the latest electrical stuff. This means that 'Piano' is happy and Malcolm is too !
Reitpiet came into Royan on the Tuesday and called by for a chat, John & Bill have been up the Gironde sightseeing lucky them with time to take things easy. We decided to have a couple of hours on the beach as a compromise. Wednesday Marylin & Stephen Fillery came to lunch (while the electrician was here) and we had a truly memorable time chewing over the last 5 years and all the memories from the Challenge.
Thursday we set sail for La Coruna Spain. The weather out of Royan was beautiful and as usual we cracked on at 6 knots reefing at dusk just in case it increased. We didn't have to motor until we arrived, well by now it was 0300 and a decent nights kip loomed...

21st September Royan

We Sailed from La Rochelle to Royan yesterday getting in at just after 'teef time. (aperatif for those who didn't know). The weather started out gloomy first thing this morning but has improved to a comfortable 18 C. Just right for sorting out MORE BATTERY PROBLEMS! We did notice a strange smell on Friday but suspected it was the fish we had for dinner - when it lingered we tracked it down to the battery splitter and had the chaps come and fix it but it looks as though there may be an underlying problem. On inspection we have what looks like moisture and condensation in the battery compatment and the lead terminals leave a silvery deposit when touched. Scary or what? Two batteries are also showing RED which means they are dead so we will need 2 new.Another electrician is coming this afternoon so maybe he can fix it?
Meanwhile google on Corouan light house to get a feel for the gross history of Royan it would warrant a week even if we didn't have any problems.
I'm off to investigate...

17th September - La Rochelle

Today we are surrounded by the Clipper round the World Race - 10 Yachts which set off from the Humber on the 13th September and the first came in at Lunchtime yesterday. All 10 are now in and they are all happily cleaning their boats. See little 'Piano' far left of image. The sun made a poor effort to come out but I despair.
A nice French chap had a look at the battery problem and is setting up the Marina to let us stay and get it done tomorrow.
I must say that all contacts with French people have been positive They are all (so far) VERY helpful -
Meanwhile Malcolm is looking into the VHF (yes another minor hiccup) but I expect that will be easily fixed - most things seem to get done by magic they seem to have there own agenda!
Now for the daily trek to the shops.
Sailor Sue