Sylvia & Doug’s Adventures in
2019.
Part 1 Winter & Spring
In January we proved my
‘metal leg’ was still setting off the airport scanners by seeking some sunshine
in the Canary Island of Fuerteventura.
This time we stayed in a new hotel where most of the accommodation was
‘cottages’ in the grounds. Not our usual
thing, but ideal on this occasion & a bonus was the food, - a huge hot
& cold buffet & very good! We
had a very pleasant time, & revisited most of the island. It was warm &
sunny so we walked some favourites & swam most days. We visited the town of
Once back home we had a blitz
on chores – around the house & garden, the boat to clean, antifoul &
generally ready for cruising. We fitted
in some walks on the nicer weather days & caught up with friends &
relatives.
In March with Sugar-n-Spice
back in the water we went for some short local trips to run-in both ourselves
& the boat. We visited the seals & birds just down the coast – always a
favourite, & spent a weekend at Brightlingsea, where there are now berths
that are deep enough for SnS.
Part 2 Summer Cruise
The aim this year to get as
far south in
So on to the Channel Islands,
then with SnS in “charge” mode to Port Blanc, France then Camaret, our ‘jumping
off point’ for A Coruna,
The Biscay crossing took us
just over 2 days, & we relaxed for a couple of days in this pleasant city,
then with a favourable forecast for the notorious NW corner we headed S
again. We rounded the notorious Cabo
Finisterre (end of the land) in calm conditions than we are unlikely to see
again. With brief stops in some of the Rias & islands & a day at
Back to Vigo RCN marina as
some bad weather due. The marinero put us in 10m berth -very tight, the
harbourmaster was not pleased. Took a hire car S to look at the border town La
Guardia – pretty but SnS certainly couldn’t fit in the harbour. Up river
It is connected to Valenca,
its Portugese twin by a road bridge, So we joined the throng & walked
across to
Back in
We have kept our permit to
anchor at these islands going, & have enjoyed the freedom it gives us to
visit & enjoy them. Then quiet anchorages & island hopping up the coast
to Villagarcia, Ria Arosa, where we left SnS to fly home for our mid trip catch
up with friends & chores.
A week later we returned, the
boat was fine & we headed N. Then strong winds kept us at Muros. We walked
a hilly loop behind the town, escorted by a large amiable hound who didn’t
understand the words ‘go home’! Back round Finisterre we kept heading E. Some
places we knew, A Coruna Gijon Santander, others were new Viveiro(heavy metal
band playing all night) Ribadeo(picturesque town high above the river-nice-walks
&ramshackle lift betweenlevels)
CastroUrdiales(busy,pretty-but
veryveryhot-we left!) at Getxo-Bilbao(racing fleet of J80s entertained us)
Bermeo-very few yacht berths
on small pontoon-nice town(hilly nice park-interesting fishing museum).
Left there heading for Ile
d’Oleron,
Then up the French coast to
Bourgenay-as nice as we recalled with this time acrobats & fire jugglers on
the quay. Then on to anchor behind Ile
Noirmoutier, next Ile Houat- very crowded with boats & swimmers (including
us). Next
Meeting our outbound route we
were through the Raz du Sein & anchored S of Camaret then another anchorage
near Morlaix.
Then Port Blanc, Guernsey,
then anchor in
Total logged miles - 2219.4nm
Part 3 The Autumn
Since then we have only
managed 2 very short local trips due to other commitments & unhelpful
weather! Both favourites though.
26/27Aug - To River
22/23Oct - To River Ore/Alde,
because we hadn’t been there this year; but we nearly sank to our necks doing a
very muddy walk.
In September we did go to the
Boat Show at
Then Ranmore Common on the
way back. My parents often went there to walk the dog.
For Doug’s birthday we went to
We are still cycling &
walking & have recently found some new walks in