October 2021 – Sailing Mist

Luarca

Posted on October 29, 2021October 29, 2021 by Carl

After two days in Gijon we continued westwards.

The winds were light and we could only sail an hour or so and had to motor the rest of the way to Luarca.

There was no marina in Luarca but there was 4 buoys for visiting yachts inside the breakwater.

There was some bad weather coming so we took 2 buoys and a line to the breakwater. We inflated the dingy and went ashore.

Luarca is a very picturesque fishing village, a bit worn but nice buildings.

We went up to the lighthouse and the spectacular graveyard overlooking the bay of Biscay.

The next two nights were really rolly as the heavy seas found there way inside the breakwater at high tide.

Sailed distance 44,4 nautical miles.

Bay of Biscay and Gijon

Posted on October 24, 2021October 24, 2021 by Carl

It was time to go further south. The weather conditions for crossing the bay of Biscay was good, the winds could have been a little stronger. At 10 am it was time to leave Loctudy and say goodbye to our friends on sy Embla.

We started with full main and the code and we made good progress south. In the morning the wind died completely and we had to motor.

The rest of the way to Gijon was mostly motoring but now and then we could sail for a few hours. We had company of several pods of dolphins.

The last miles to Gijon we had to motor and we arrived at the marina in Gijon at 3 pm, after 2 days and 5 hours at sea.

Gijon is quite a large city with a lot of shops and restaurants. We went for walks in the old town and along the San Lorenzo beach.

Sailed distance 269,2 nautical miles.

Loctudy

Posted on October 24, 2021October 24, 2021 by Carl

Left our mooring just before 10 am at high tide and went strait to the fuel dock. There was no wind so after fuelling we motored south-east. No swell either and we had a comfortable day at sea.

The infamous Raz de Sein presented no problem, almost no race at all.

We arrived at Loctudy a quarter to seven pm. Loctudy was a really nice place, we had expected a fishing port and not much more but found a small gem.

We went for a nice hike together with the Embla crew and finished our stay in Loctudy with a visit to a very good restaurant.

Sailed distance 56,4 nautical miles.

Camaret sur Mer

Posted on October 20, 2021October 20, 2021 by Carl

After two weeks at Cherbourg it felt good to be on our way again. We left Cherbourg at half past 10 in the morning together with our friends on sy Embla.

Light winds from behind and we started out sailing wing on wing. At nightfall the wind increased and we took down the jib and continued with just the mainsail. At dusk the wind dropped and we had motor.

We managed to get trough the Chenal de Four just before the tide turned against us and we arrived at Camaret sur Mer at four a´clock in the afternoon after 29 hours at sea.

Camaret sur Mer is a nice little town and the harbour is well protected. The supermarket was probably the best we have seen so far. We went for walks, to the old fort and to the amazing beach.

Together with the Embla crew we went out for a nice dinner at a restaurant close to the marina.

Sailed distance 177,3 nautical miles.

Cherbourg waiting for the right weather conditions

Posted on October 12, 2021October 12, 2021 by Carl

Cherbourg is a good place to stay a while.

Chantereyne marina is sheltered and with good facilities, toilets, showers and washing machines and tumblers. There are three chandlers and at least one sailmaker within the marina.

A lot of small shops, bakers, butchers, fish mongers and all you need as well as a shopping centre just outside the town centre. The city centre is a short walk from the marina.

Sailed distance 0 nautical miles.

Normandie road trip

Posted on October 3, 2021October 3, 2021 by Carl

Waiting for lighter winds and hopefully winds from the right direction to continue south along the French coast. Cherbourg is a nice place so it is not a big problem.

We rented a car together with Viveka and Erik on sy Embla and went for a trip. Our first stop was at Pierre Huet, a cider and calvados producer.