La Coruna
We had a forecast for our 34nm trip that would see us motoring from Cedeira towards Coruna until early/middle afternoon, and so with our propeller issue, and knowing that the forecast doesn’t always behave, we set off fairly early. Actually the forecast was quite accurate. We motored past the minor cape, Cabo Prior in glorious sunshine and a very light North Easterly – directly behind us.
Ria de Cedeira
The forecast for the 33 nm trip was one of light North East winds increasing as the day went on. And for once the forecast was spot on! After 3 hours of motoring the engine went off and we were goose winging as we passed by the feared Cabo Ortegal. Whilst this is not somewhere to be in the wrong conditions, today (6th July) the Cabo was a Gato (pussycat)!
Visitors in Viveiro
So we left Ribadeo with the promise of an East wind, hopefully with some North in it, of a strength that would see us sailing pretty much all the way to Vivero, 33 nm away. All the forecasts agreed. Sadly, all the forecasts were wrong and once again we found ourselves slogging under engine into a Westerly!
Rolling in Ribadeo
We were up early for the 43nm trip to Ribadeo, somewhat sleep deprived from our bumpy night in Cudillero! We departed at 07.00 with a little more than half tide again and the exit was straightforward. During a morning of light winds and a fair sea state we took it in turns to get some sleep in the bank. We were in for a long slog – for the first 6 hours averaging under 4 kts with our feeble propeller!
Cudillero – beautiful but bumpy!
Apart from the pictures, this post is of most interest to the sailors among you. We had heard that Vudillero was beautiful, but had been warned (through Crusing Association resources, as well as by Angel of Aviles) that the entrance was tight, and tricky/dangerous with a big swell – and that the mooring balls are not well laid out or designed.
2 Asturias Road Trips
Whilst waiting in Aviles for an opportunity to head West we hired a car and took the opportunity to visit rugged Asturias; in part a vast wilderness, home to wolves, vultures, mountain cats and the last population of brown bears in Western Europe. In this mountainous area the Roman advance across the Iberian peninsula was slowed, and it required Emperor Augustus and 70,000 legionnaires to conquer the region.
Aviles – countryside, culture and coal dust..
We left Gijon with the promise of a grey windless day and a 23nm motor to a large harbour that barely gets a mention in the Reeds Almanac because the harbour is a bit of an industrial hell hole. The following photographs will not contradict that view, but would the town of Aviles make up for the harbour as we had read in more than one blog? We hoped so.
Spilling Sidre in Gijon!
First – for the sailors following us – there is no sailing activity in this episode – but we will give detail of Puerto Deportivo Gijon, in the heart of the city (we didn’t visit Marina Yates Gijon, a long walk out at the commercial harbour). The marina facilities were very good, and included washing and drying facilities (from memory 8 euros for wash and dry). The marina is not cheap at around 39 euros a night, however for Cruising Association members there is a 30% discount.
Crossing the Bay of Biscay
………and sailing most of the way without getting beaten up!!!
Our passage plan for crossing to Gijon showed a total distance of 243nm (280 land miles). A first waypoint was set after 33nm from Les Sables, just East of the Rochebonne Plateau with a least depth of 4 metres. Waypoint 2 was at the entrance of Gijon harbour, some 208nm farther on, and just 2nm from the marina.
Les Sables D’Olonne
Preparations for Biscay interrupted by a wedding!
As we arrived at Les Sables D’Olonne we picked up leading lights very easily – two flashing lights, clearly visible during daylight. As we entered between the breakwaters (to either side) we erred towards starboard, where the dredged channel runs, keeping a close watch on all the traffic coming and going.