We're finally sailing!

Since the beginning of this trip it have to some extent very much felt like a transport. A transport from Norway to somewhere a little more exotic to start relax and not just take each and every weather window possible to get further south. Of course this would still be very much applicable for a long, long time ahead. But the Bay of Biscay was always the first goal to reach and to sail over.

When we see dophins and the weather is getting warmer. Then we know we are on the right track!

Last time was amazing (with another sailboat back in 2012)... for the first two days. No wind at all and then just about all wind for the third day. Straight in the nose. Like all the winds in all the worlds combined... or so it felt back then...

But this is of course about another story. Actually this story. So here we go. First day we started from Roscoff. About 400 Nautical miles from La Coruña. A mere 3 days sail we figured. It started like most of the "sails" from norway. About 24 hours of engine and then continental shelf was passed. About here I had enough. If it now takes about 45 days extra, I'm not doing anymore engine. After a day filled with sun, dolphins all around the boat multiple times and all calm weather the only thing missing was the sails. Except the one main sail that had been bothering me since we put it up. However, still stabilizing the path forward somewhat.

Just to give some idea the route and where we actually were about to sail...

Early Wednesday morning, enough was enough and sails were raised, engined shut off and the estimated time of arrival in La Coruña drastically changed from Thursday evening to... yeah, well... alot later.

Windvane deployed, but didn't really want to work in the way I wanted it to do. I did already understand some degrees pending would be expected. But this was insane. Joyride, the other Swedish sailors were calling on the VHF wondering what was happening. Well..

We got it fixed and it steered more or less reasonable for the remainder of the trip. Always something to do... We'll have a look at it as we go along the coast of Spain and Portugal.

One thing I did not miss from the last sail back in 2012-2013. The toilet moments. More like "extreme toilet visiting". Okay fine, at least this is a toilet meaning no more standing/kneeling/laying around the railing to go number one. But on the other hand, as many other things on the "to do list", the toilet are in some real need of further adjustments. Jonathan is about 2 meters. The first thing he commented about the toilet was a question if I really could have my feet on the floor while go number two. Nope. Or barely. Not exactly optimal in higher or rougher seas I tell you. Imaging if your entire bathroom threw you back and forth while you were just brushing your teeth. Think about reading this blog, where you are sitting right now (most likely there at least!). Holding on for your mere life hoping to not fall over or even worse, if the toilet actually will hold up for the challenge of, at least mine or Jonathan's weight, yours might not be that heavy for the toilet! (just figured i'll keep your weight out of this and just use mine and Jonathan's instead. Smart right? Did not lose any followers now! Check!)

Portugal. Everything comes back to Portugal. "We fix it in Portugal!"

Somethings have broken though. Spinnaker pole seemed to have a little to old strings to it, so one of them snapped in the middle of nowhere and temporary solution is there. Not very pretty or most likely there for long. But lasted long enough!

We also had, what we call a "windvane malfunction" leading to an uncotrolled jib (where the main sail comes flying over from one side to another... hard! "BAAAAAM" - pretty much!). Preventer was on and the sail didn't really come that hard. However one of the pins holding the kickrod just dissapeared. Vaporized more likely. So during the night we had to fight the urge of just letting it be and lower sails and got the issue fixed. Nothing big. Probably will never happen again now! fixed with a bigger bolt... easy!

Other than that it was a more or less uneventful sail. And this time I finally mean SAIL! (Amazing!) We would need to work out some kind of schedule for sleeping as that has been the only thing we've had to little of these latest couple of SAILING days (And beers of course - but that was by own choice!). Schedule is setup for next longer sails to avoid low energy and getting it going smoother.

Jonathan see land for the first time in 72h hours!

Now we are laying by anchor outside a small village on the opposite side for A coruña. The east side of the entrance. Trying to get some inspiration to sail further. Marzemino are here as well as Joyride. First game of "Kubb" has been played. To the humiliation of the crew on Colon. Rematch were offered. We thought about throwing the "Kubb" overboard. We'll see when that is on the table again...

otherwise, all good!

Waiting for winds to travel further south. Sun has appeared. Jonathan is getting more and more red by the day and myself are just enjoying the fact that the outboard engine is working. We do however look ridiculous in a 2,3m dinghy when both of us is about 100kg... "No sudden moves!"

A lot of boat work has been done also, we also, with this, hope to have finally fixed the leak that we've had for some time. Easy fix (when knowing how and where to look of course) - Only way to check is to go sailing again. Crossing my fingers here for this to really work. That would be AMAZING!

Over and out!

//Ludvig