September 7, 2010
GUERNSEY TO JERSEY
We sailed from Guernsey to Jersey, great sail; a mere 33.3 nm. Just as we rounded the south-west corner at the lighthouse , we were accompanied by a pod of dolphins. What a greet feeling! Once in a life time experience. Arrived in St. Helier in early afternoon but we could not enter marina because of low tide Boats wait at a holding pontoon until the “traffic light” turns green, indicating water level adequate to enter marina.
Jersey is the largest Channel Island and is quite cosmopolitan with an extensive pedestrian shopping area. My wardrobe has not been a major concern on this trip and regular t-shirt and jeans only come out of the closet when going ashore. However we did spot a Red Cross charity shop where I managed to get some real bargins.
After spending a few nice of days in Jersey, we consulted with our new friends and finally ventured out to cross the Bay of Biscay. The weather forecast called for southerly winds (good) but we had only southwest winds, (not good) directly on our nose, so we finally turned on the engine and motor- sailed for about 12 hours. The tides were very strong and sometimes our speed was only 2 knots and other times our speedometer read 11knots over ground when the current was in our favor. Our first night out we motor-sailed, luckily it worked in our favor again so that we got to Quessant at ebb flow. The lIe d’Quessant is an island off the most westerly coast of France perhaps best described as a flat plateau surrounded by cliffs, rocks and tidal streams running like roaring rivers. This area represents the last obstacle while rounding the French coast going south. Simple Abundance behaved quite admirably, driving through the 3 meter high swells we never once felt insescure. After Quessant we finally could turn south and catch the wind came from behind. Now that was different sailing again, because now the boat was rolling; it’ like being on a roller coaster.
September 14, 2010
HELL ON THE HIGH SEA
We have successfully crossed the Bay of Biscay without any major catastrophe and we did it in 4 days and three nights non stop sailing from Jersey. Most of the first day the wind came from the direction we were heading south-west and part of the way the tidal stream was also against us..this means that we don’t cover a lot of miles. However the weather was in our favor, by this I mean it didn’t rain and two days out of four we had sun. Now this might lead you to think T-shirt and shorts....but in reality we are dressed in what amounts to ski wear including warm hats and gloves so we both look like the”Michelin” man. We basically lived in the same clothes for four days. All we did is eat (very little)(no cooking involved) attempt sleep and stand watch. Two hours on and two hours off.....at least during the night.
We did however have two incidents during our crossing. The first was a once in a life scare. I was below and Wolfgang was in the cockpit, or so I thought. Steering can be put on autopilot and I had not noticed he went to pee. When I looked out, no Wolfgang anywhere, even when I called, no answer. You can’t imagine what went through my mind. It only took maybe twenty seconds before he out of the toilet but those were the longest twenty seconds of my life.
The second incident happened Sept. 12 late afternoon. The genoa reefing drum came apart and let out this hugh sail flapping aimlessly in the wind. Once again grateful for autopilot, we managed with lots of muscle and sheer determination to pull the sail down through the v-berth hatch. Another heart stopping situation averted but now we only have use of the smaller sail with several hundred miles to go. Sa la vie
Some days were pleasurable with hugh swells gently rocking the boat with nothing to do except take in immense vastness of the sea. Other days are spent adjusting the sails so that the boat doesn’t heal (leaning over to one side) too much. There is so much more to this sailing than I remember from our other boat. Then there’s the navigation...yes it’s electronic, but we still have to be computer savvy.
We crossed into Dijon, Spain,because La Coruna showed bad weather. Gijon is very nice, new harbor and easy mooring, straight in, no turning etc. When I was checking in I was still swaying at the counter, my body was still on the rolling boat.
Tomorrow we are planning a day sail to Ribadeo and then on to La Coruna. After that it is much up to the weather forecast. By the way, you can wear short sleeves here at 7 in the morning and sit outside till midnight. Great. It was quite lonesome out in the Biscay, no AIS signal from any boat for 2 days. Makes you think. But it was nice too, with the stars out and the beautiful sun rises.
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