Pilgrims Progress

[LadyInBed]

Fri 14 Jun
0740 left Real Club Nautico for Ria Camarinus. The wind was not as forecast from the North but from the West, the direction I was heading in and as the day progressed the wind increased to 27 knots, touching on F7, so with two reefs in the Main and Genoa after tacking to make 18mls progress in 6hrs40 I turned tail back to La Coruna. The return trip with the wind behind me took 4 hrs, total distance covered 49.4 mls.
Sat 15 Jun
After yesterday's false start tried again. Left for Ria Camarinus at 0850 and would you believe no wind at all today, motored all the way. Dropped anchor close to Camarinus town at 1910 51.3mls 10hrs50.
Sun 16 Jun
Rain and gusting 30 knots (F7) from the South. Good job that I am tucked in behind the harbour breakwater. Nothing to do but stay hunkered down for the day.
In the evening the wind shifted through 180 degrees and eased right off over night.
Mon 17 Jun
Wind shifted back from the South again but not quite so strong as yesterday.
Still raining, so I'm not going anywhere!

 

[prv]

Mon 17 Jun
Actually quite a nice day here, sun is out, there's a bit of a breeze.
Or it was when I popped out for lunch, anyway. For the rest of the day I'm shut in a windowless office, in front of a computer.
A bad day on the boat beats a good day in the office

Pete

 

[Wandering Star]

Just returned from the way you're headed! We had 2 turn backs due to forecasts being way out of an acceptable ball park. First we left Lagos with a forecast 14 - 18 knot wind but encountered sustained 42 knot winds which forced us back so we departed the following day instead. This time we got as far as Cascais and decided to swerve in to catch our breath there.

We departed Cascais for Camarinas with a reasonable forecast but instead encountered more of the 42 knot stuff so put back into Cascais where we remained for 3 days. Departed a second time and made it to Camarinas ok. Nice place, we were charged €18 for the 2 nights which I thought was more than fair.

We then crossed Biscay from Camarinas to Lymington in a forecast 17 knot Northerly and not the 35 knot Westerly reality. The sail was really good and a surprising gift from the Gods but it totally conflicted with the forecast until about 3 days later when the forecast caught up with what was actually happening out there. We arrived in Lymington at 1.00am on Thursday with the same 35 knot Westerly we left Camarinas in.

I would personally sack all the weather forecasters if I was able to!

Have a great sail LIR.

Cheers, Brian.