A Coruna and the Torre de Hercules lighthouse

We are delighted to welcome Bea Jackson on board for the next part of our journey. The chart of NW Spain is on the wall behind her. Tomorrow we plan to sail 50 miles around the corner to Camarinas, and on Tuesday we'll set off for Madiera, ETA Saturday. 

A Coruna

From miles off we could see the Torre de Hercules lighthouse on the north shore of A Coruna. We rounded the breakwater into welcome calm waters yesterday of the harbour yesterday afternoon,  and after a good 12 hour sleep last night we are all on good form. Melita has arrived safely by bus and train and bus from L'Aber Benoit via Rennes, Nantes, Bordeaux and San Sebastian,  an arguably greater adventure than Tintin's!

It's a good feeling to have the Bay of Biscay behind us. 

Time to do a few boat jobs and then explore ashore, tapas to be enjoyed!

Land Ahoy

25 nautical miles to go to La Coruna.  We can see the mountainous Spanish north coast  clearly now..

It will be nice to have a stationary boat there for a while! It is still quite lumpy and squally but Tintin and crew are taking it all in their stride

Starting Across Biscay

Today started early as Melita left us to catch a bus to La Coruna. 
She's been plagued by seasickness since joining the boat.  The prospect
on 360 mile passage over the Bay of Biscay did not appeal - especially
when set against the alternative of a gentle meander through Europe on
the notoriously level and and un-rolly trains and buses.  She will aim
to meet us as we dock in La Coruna on Friday.

So Stephen, jo and set set off from L'AberBenoit this morning. The
short, lump sea vindicated Melita's decision before it settled down
through the Chanel du Four.  We elected to go outside the Raz de Sein,
since we would have missed the tidal gate, so we have just left behind
the Ar Men lighthouse marking the western tip of France to the
accompaniment of the Amen chorus, herocially sung by the whole crew. 
We're now heading straight for Courna - in a race with Melita. The sea 
is still quite rolly and we've got the engine on the keep good progress
downwind in light airas

This is the first stage of bigger plan to take Tintin south.  The only
real certainty is that the plan will change, but it currently looks like
this:t

Now to 21st Sept.  Coruna - NW Spain - Madeira - Tenerife

Nov  - Tenerife - Gran Canaria.  ARC from Gran Canaria to St Lucia

Friends use Tintin over Christmas to take her to Antigua

Jan '25 - Antigua - Panama

Feb Mar - Panama - Easter Esland - Chile

Leave the boat in Puerto Montt

Return in Sept 25 to cruise southern Chile

To L'Aber Benoit

30 miles around the coast today, west to L'Aber Benoit. The wind was on the nose and we took the easy option,  motorsailing. It was grey and pretty lumpy in the swell but soon blue skies took over and it felt a different day. The N Brittany coast here looks fearsome, wild and rocky. We kept a respectable berth. The spring tide gave us an extra 3 knots of speed so we made it in good time and spent the afternoon exploring and swimming upriver. 

Tomorrow we'll be heading around the end of Brittany, through the Chenal du Four with the morning tide, then out past the Isle de Sein and across the Bay of Biscay heading for La Coruna in Galicia. 350 miles which we expect will take us 3 days. It's time to start a watch system, set up the wind steering and the towed generator, and have our first taste of a few days out of sight of land.

Goodbye France, for now

We're off!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Joanna Withers <jo@redholme.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2024, 9:50 pm
Subject: We're off!
To: <jo647.tintin@blogger.com>

Yesterday morning we dropped the mooring at 06:30 and were waved off by Kate, Andrew and Mum as we left Salcombe.

It is great to have Stephen and Melita Gordon with us for this first stage, to the Canaries.

Our crossing 90 miles south to Roscoff was straightforward,  with lovely beam winds for a good part of the day.  Fog cleared by the time we arrived at Roscoff at 10pm, guided in by lights from marker buoys. Rob did beautiful parking in the dark marina. The end of day 1 of Tintin's next big adventure : it felt great to be underway after many months of preparation 

A Roscoff day

Croissants, coffee, exploring the old town of Roscoff; then repairs to the heads (loo) by Stephen and attention to the mainsail cover by Melita and Jo, Rob provided tea and general support. A run on the coast path was a great end to the day