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A forecast is just that, it is definitely not a sure thing. As cruisers we check weather forecasts daily and often multiple times a day. The cruiser’s life revolves around the forecast. We have two sites, Passage weather and Windguru we check on the internet and then Bob downloads Grib files (weather data) into our navigation software. When we are out at sea Janice can download Grib files over the SSB radio. When the predictions mostly agree, it is one that you “count on” to make the decision to leave a safe harbor. On the evening of May 25
th after checking for quite a few days we decided that we had a small weather window for moving north. We knew that the first day was going to be a bit harder with a little bit stronger north wind, but the seas were not predicted to be too high and the wind speed should be manageable. Our plan was to leave Cangas about 5:30AM in order to reach Muros, Spain that afternoon. This would give us time to anchor about 2PM, get some sleep and then continue on to the north coast of Spain. Well, a forecast is a forecast and it
wasn’t quite as planned. We left Cangas at 5:30AM with zero wind. As you motor out of the harbor there are a number of mussel beds, rocks, islands and a shipping lane that have to be negotiated. It took us 2 hours to get out of the Ria with the winds piping up and we were nose into it. Needless to say the motor was running at full tilt. When we got out further into the Atlantic with no protection from land, we had some rough seas. The winds picked up and we were being bounced around and uncomfortable. It was definitely not a situation of being unsafe; it was just our comfort level. We both asked ourselves, why did we leave our safe haven of Cangas. We still could have turned back, but after thinking it over we decided to continue on. We know that the Atlantic coast is not an easy one to go north and figured we knew that the projections were for worse weather later in the week. We originally had planned to be at anchor about 2PM, but with the change in the wind speed we didn’t make it there until 5:30PM. That still wasn’t
bad, it was light out (it stays light out til 10PM here) but we were very tired from the trip.
We pulled out the charts and the pilot books again to see what we wanted to do the next day. The original plan of getting to the north coast of Spain would mean only getting a few hours of sleep and then leaving about midnight. We both agreed that we did not have to punch any clocks and could take more time getting there so sleep was more important. We found that there was a small town of Camarinas that would be a shorter distance to get to and we could leave in the morning about 5:30AM and still get there in daylight the next day. Decision made, we had dinner and got some sleep. 5:50AM the next morning we had the anchor up after being in a nice calm, well protected anchorage in Ria de Muros. This day the forecast was right on and we had next to no wind and flat seas for most of the trip. On days like this it’s nice to be on a boat that carries so much diesel. The good news -
A Full Moon
We always enjoy it when there is a full moon when we are on the water. we were traveling in a northerly direction closer to our goal this season.
The Atlantic coast of Spain is beautiful with mountains, beaches and a very rocky coastline. As a result of the rough coast there are lighthouses on every point and at the opening of every bay. We took numerous photos but as always it never captures the full beauty of this area of the country.
A few of the highlights were seeing a small pod of dolphin go by (unfortunately they didn’t come to play in our bow waves) and then a sighting of a shark coming to the surface near a fishing boat. As the day wore on the clouds started to fill in and we were getting some swells, but they were quite far apart so not uncomfortable at all. As proof of the calm seas Bob took quite a long nap while Janice kept watch out for fishing boats and fishing buoys. Just as we were turning to come into the ria that the village of Camarinas is on the wind picked up in the right direction and we were able to sail for the last hour of the trip. We
found a comfortable slip at the marina, checked in and not long after the skies opened up and the wind picked up out of the north. We were very happy to be safely in the marina at Camarinas. It looks like it will be a good haven to be in for a few days until we get some weather to continue the trek north. We have already met several cruisers on the dock (Dutch, British, German, Canadian and French) that are waiting out the weather to go south. With predictions of 30 to 40 knots of wind no one is going anywhere for a few days.
We found out that this small village is known for its lace making as well as fishing. We will check out the lace museum (something Bob is extremely thrilled about) and then hopefully get in some hiking if the weather permits. The temperature has been cool, but with bundling up some hikes will be a welcome diversion while we wait for the winds to ease up for us to continue our journey northward. Bob took advantage of the time to change the oil in the engine and Janice worked on researching places
The beauty of the morning
Notice the number of wind turbines on the hills here – it shows you how windy this area typically is. we’d like to visit on the north coast of Spain.
It is now June 1
st and it appears that the weather will not be good this weekend. We are currently sitting here listening to the wind howl even though we are tucked quite a ways back in a safe harbor away from the Atlantic Ocean. It looks like we will stay here for a few more days and probably will move north again next Wednesday. Until that time will work on another blog entry to let you know more about the village of Camarinas which has been our home now for almost a week.
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Angelika
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We are really suffering from the cold. I can't remember such a long cold period in spring and early summer. Have a good trip and nicer weather Love A.