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...
Today was a glorious day at sea. It started off wonderfully with the sun shining and our first catch of a fish from a hand line trailing behind the boat. After a hearty meal of Moroccan sweet potato soup and baguettes, Evan set to work preparing a delectable ceviche, which we all enjoyed later...
After months of preparation, we finally set off on our first major sail, departing La Rochelle, France, and heading across the Bay of Biscay to Gijon, Spain. The route spans 260 nautical miles, and we estimated the journey would take approximately 44 hours, traveling between 5 and 7 knots. Our excitement was palpable as...
Today took us on a little administrative adventure as we headed to Demarches Administratives to check out of France. Unsure of what to expect, the bus dropped us off near the commercial marina, right outside a building surrounded by barbed wire, which added a hint of apprehension. Fortunately, the process was quick and smooth;...
Hosting our first dinner party on the catamaran was an exciting adventure. The galley, cozy and compact, really only accommodates one chef, so Doug and I danced around each other as we prepped food. Cooking in batches with the microwave/convection oven was also a bit of a challenge. Nonetheless, I managed to prepare our...
