We’ve done it!! Crossed Biscay in Nomad!!! So happy! So exhausted! We left Camaret on Wednesday morning at 7.30 and had to motor for the first 6 hours as no wind at all. Had an easy time going through the Raz du Sein, after which the wind got up, and then we set our course for Hendaye on the French/Spanish border. From that point on we didn’t see another yacht until we arrived in harbour. Wind stayed at a steady F4/5 the entire way, until the final 6 hours when there was none, so again we had to motor.
Highlights - being in the middle of a multi-national exercise involving frigates, helicopters and submarines, seeing dolphins, sunsets, sunrises, cruising along at 10 knots with the cruising chute with appropriate music (Thomas Crowne affair), being boarded by French customs (any distraction is welcome), enjoying the company of a tired migrating warbler who hitched a ride for a while. Low points - feeling sick, being sick, getting the cruising chute down and broaching, Rich getting nasty rope burns, the disorientation and utter loneliness felt at 3.30am when the moon disappeared and all was dark without even any fishing boat lights to focus on.
5 hours before we were due to arrive in Hendaye we changed our minds and headed for Cap Breton (fantastic beaches, classy upmarket resort) as the tide and conditions were just right. In total it took us 53 hours. So here we are basking in the sunshine (30C), sipping chilled wine and eating freshly caught prawns. Our plan is to stay here for a couple of days before heading to Spain......
Rich has only just mentioned that it is Friday 13th!
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| Off watch |
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| Our little friend |
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| Beach at Cap Breton |
Sounds amazing - next the Atlantic!?
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