We set sail for Porto on a relatively short day at sea, with the wind blowing a steady 10 knots at 60 degrees off the bow. Perfect conditions to pull out the gennaker, allowing us to cruise at an impressive 7 knots over ground. The most complicated part of the day, however, turned out...
Our journey took us to the delightful waterfront city of Viana do Castelo in northern Portugal, a hidden gem rich in history and culture and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. From the moment we arrived, we were embraced by the friendliness of the locals. Most spoke excellent English, a testament to the city’s cultural openness—evidenced...
For our last stop in Spain, we found ourselves in Vigo, a city nestled on the stunning northwest coast of Spain and known for its bustling port and rich maritime history. Needing to get some routine engine maintenance taken care of, we settled into a marina in the commercial district and then headed off...
Our journey from Muxía to Sanxenxo was blessed with a gorgeous sunny sky and temperatures hovering in the low 20s°C (70s°F). The winds did not pick up quite as much as predicted in PredictWind, resulting in an easy but long 11-hour sail. Still, we relished in the tranquil beauty of the sea. Sanxenxo, known...
Today, we said farewell to Amanda and Evan, who are headed back to the United States. It was bittersweet to see them go, as we have so enjoyed their company. Also, we must admit to feeling slightly anxious as we set sail without a supervising captain for the first time. Fortunately, the sun shone...
Our day in A Coruña began with an early morning walk to the magnificent Torre de Hercules. Built by the Romans between AD 98-117, this ancient marvel is the world’s oldest functioning lighthouse, offering breathtaking panoramic sea views over A Coruña. From this extraordinary vantage point, we could see the entire Golfo Ártabro stretching...
Expecting high winds, we started out early to A Coruña but were happy to find the seas were relatively calm. We had a nice sailing day, then after a hearty lunch on board, set off to explore the old city. A Coruña, located on the northwest coast of Spain, is a vibrant city of...
Today, we sailed from Ribadeo to Cedeira, Spain. The morning started with a fresh breeze of 15-20 knots and sea swells of 6 feet, requiring one reef in the main. In the last two hours, the weather and sea conditions intensified to 30-knot winds with 8-9 foot swells, necessitating a second reef in the...
After a 10-hour journey across becalmed seas, we arrived in Ribadeo, Spain, a city lying on a deep estuary formed by the river Eo. Had a lovely stroll to the center of town, where we picked up some new fishing gear and enjoyed a lovely dinner. Upon returning to the boat for a lively...
After 44 hours at sea, we arrived in Gijon, Spain, around 10am on June 3. The harbour master met us out in the water and guided us in, making for a very easy docking experience. Port check-in went smoothly, and we were quickly settled into this charming city. Overlooking the Bay of Biscay, Gijón...
