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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Oct 28, 2010 21:07:17 GMT
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Post by allan on Oct 28, 2010 22:59:20 GMT
Well done, to the pair of you, truly inspirational! How much is the beer?
Allan
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Post by sheila on Oct 29, 2010 6:58:41 GMT
Recieved your postcard in the club Brian, great!
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Oct 29, 2010 8:57:49 GMT
Recieved your postcard in the club Brian, great! It's a Pleasure Sheila, there are always downsides, and the downside of this trip so far is missing the club, and remembering how much the Grandkids enjoyed Fireworks night last year, which they will obviously miss this year. |
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Oct 29, 2010 9:18:59 GMT
Holed up in the Inner harbour, I must say again the staff are Brilliant, There is some severe weather forecast, the Marina Staff when I arrived allowed me to stay on the 'Check in Pontoon' save me swapping from place to place, today, after Checking the Weather forecast decided that this is no longer a good Idea and requested an alternative place in the Visitors area they advised me to moor amongst the local boats in the inner Harbour,
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Oct 29, 2010 10:31:23 GMT
Preparations made were not the right ones since The little Rocking about we've been doing recently have stirred up some poor Quality fuel from bottom of the tank filling the water trap with sediment and blocking the Fuel filter, I am lucky I have a few spare filters but may try to get more. [a href="  "] [/a] Now we've spare time we'll clean the boat, at sea the windows turn white with dried on salt which soon becomes so thick you can't see through the windows.
 But Sue's on the Case. |
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Post by sheila on Oct 29, 2010 15:45:48 GMT
Hola amigos! Nice to see a picture of Sue for once - beginning to wonder what you'd done with her!
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Oct 29, 2010 20:18:01 GMT
Ask them if they'd rock you across Biscay, Bri, if the winds are still light. You could give them a crab each for their trouble. Sue had to do the task for the last 15 miles. [a href="  "] [/a] |
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Post by Cardiff Yacht Club on Oct 30, 2010 6:49:53 GMT
Well done Brian and Sue. Brilliant achievement.
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Oct 30, 2010 7:10:22 GMT
we seem to have Hit a Social mecca, I walk about in all directions wanting to see and do everything at once (much like a Child opening Christmas presents). when we arrived the view from the sea was not that appealing to the point I was considering avoiding it. [a href="  "] [/a]. But Sue noticed there was clearly defined old and new areas from the type of Buildings, so we arrived and enjoy. We were followed in by the Spanish Police, and met at the arrival pontoon by two harbour personnel. It seemed at first a little daunting. we moored up, the helpers were friendly, I spoke in My pocket book Spanish and they just laughed, in very sparse broken English directed me to the office, we needed our ships papers, Insurance certificate and Passports, (EU Country?)which I supplied and within a Hour Formalities were Completed, and things got Friendly again, I had no intention of stopping more than one night, but we quickly had showers and changed our clothes, the old clothes would need fumigating, having worn several layers at a time for a few days now. The Bars have more of a Wine bar feel to them, the best drinks to have cost wise is wine I really believe It good value and with every drink you get free food, different bar different food, Good huh?.. The wine starts from around 2euros after trying a few bars Pizzeria la Competencia came out top wine and Slice of Pizza 2euros the wine is gorgeous, and measures get bigger as they get to Know you but There Is very little English known... Beer I have only drunk at the Havana, the wifi spot I am using... In the day It was 3.6 euros for two small glasses in the night it went up to 5euros, don't know if this is normal or a different Girl making a few extra cents, the loud disco type music could also have been the reason I'll be here until at least Tuesday so maybe it will become clear. (no food included) All the bars are very Busy most of the time and there is smoking allowed in all the bars visited, |
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Oct 30, 2010 7:41:31 GMT
Finally reached Spain couldn t stick the French weather In my haste to leave France because of the weather nothing was written about Lorient, and only a few Photos taken but the weather was great for some French sailors F4/5 no reefed sails for them. [a href="  "] [/a] |
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Oct 31, 2010 6:30:49 GMT
I,m still waiting for the heavy weather the forecasters have predicted, already having a taste of the speed weather changes happen.... It seems It's not just me that has been moved to the inner harbour the outer visitor pontoons are totally empty. [a href="  "] [/a] The Staff say the Sea defence is ok in the summer but can be breached in the winter [a href="  "] [/a]. I have my Camera ready and a spot where I have a perfect view only 200 metres from a refuge point which sells beer and are familiar with my style of the Spanish language.... Asta lavesta.... Whatever that means  [a href="  "] [/a] |
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Camelot
Member of CYC 
Camelot
Camelot alongside the harbour wall at Bangor, North Wales.
Posts: 851
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Post by Camelot on Oct 31, 2010 10:26:54 GMT
Thanks for the postcard Bri:-   As I've said before - I really need to retire now!!! |
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Oct 31, 2010 14:33:37 GMT
The Promised Bad weather has arrived, It was my intention to maybe get some Photos of what is to come but I'm a little snug, the wind is howling through the masts but Its not affecting the boat, except for a very minor sway, the wind is veering SW TO NW, The northerlies are the feared winds, I'm quite comfortable Heating on full, the outside temps have fallen dramatically, Its a Bit like Wales in September.
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ishtar
Member of CYC
Ishtar
The original Ishtar
Posts: 970
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Post by ishtar on Oct 31, 2010 18:57:21 GMT
[a href=" "] [/a] [/quote] Maybe you should have washed your clothes a bit sooner, Bri. |
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 1, 2010 13:37:48 GMT
The weather has Improved Barometer up 25Hpa in 12 Hours, It's time to move on Towards La Coruna, we will do this in short hops mainly in Daylight there are a few places we may visit as we pass Hopefully avoiding Marinas. Planning is underway, the Bar has been restocked ....And we have topped up our Larder with some Local Produce It's a Meat eaters paradise, Buying meat By the limb or side instead of by the kilo, and all the different types of Dried Sausage, I lick my lips as I'm writing this. [a href="  "] [/a] The weather turned bad but It didn't affect us too Badly, indeed we viewed most of it through the local Cocktail bar window, [url  ][/url] When the weather Improved a little... that is the driving rain stopped, I thought I'd join the many others who had gathered to see the waves scale the Seawall. [a href="  "] [/a] Notice In the Picture a person with an Umbrella [a href="  "] [/a] [a href="  "] [/a] |
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ishtar
Member of CYC
Ishtar
The original Ishtar
Posts: 970
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Post by ishtar on Nov 1, 2010 18:20:40 GMT
Great pictures Bri, although I think you may have blown your cover. That first picture is clearly taken at Aberavon beach, looking towards the steel works at Port Talbot.
I expect your ears were burning this afternoon. Your work shy mates were talking about you. I was aboard Chausey with Allan, saying how jealous we were of you, when another work dodger turned up, aboard Alana, fresh from a trip out in the channel.
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 2, 2010 7:45:08 GMT
Plans are in place, again three plans the first to anchor a few miles east of Luarca 5 hours sail from here, the second Luarca safe haven, the third Keep sailing towards La Coruna. It seems we are in for a few days settled weather but the Sea... forecasters describe as Rough or very Rough and the wind westerly Non of this is good news for me.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2010 8:29:06 GMT
Brian,
Brilliant blog, i am really envious.
Dave Wyndsong
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 4, 2010 7:49:44 GMT
Left Gijon as Planned, Marina Costs were the highest I've encountered the facilities are Not Good, but I would recommend the Place Because of it's friendliness and Surrounding, bars and restaurants which are always busy.
The sea state to Pta Roncadoira was no more than I have come across in other sailing trips sailing Parallel to the coast about 10miles offshore, the wind was westerly forcing me to tack most of the way making progress slow, sea state increased to an interesting hight when trying to round Pta De La Estaca De Bares, and by now we were motoring since I Really wanted to round the point and we could not get tacking angles that would give reasonable progress indeed little over a mile progress in 3 hours, even though we had fair speed over ground and through the water. so after around 35 hours we decided to wait for more favourable wind at Ria Del Barquero, a small Fishing and Commercial Port Sheltered from all but Northerlies, It has an intrusion of swell causing the boat to rock, but on Calculating the hours of sleep in the last 35 hours as being 2.5, nothing would stop me sleeping. so I think another period of waiting for a change of wind direction is Inevitable.
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 6, 2010 12:39:37 GMT
After Two nights at Ria Del Barquero and a good day Browsing through a very nice little town plenty of small super markets which to date were cheaper and better stocked than most we've seen (Carrefour excluded) the bars much Cheaper than all we have been to previous, food seems to come with all drinks, the first Cafe/bar beer 3 euros came with a plate of bread and Salami, the second Bar two wines 4 euros came with a dish of potato Salad each, the third two wines also 4 euros but came with a plate of Potato and Tripe, and the last Bar two beers 2.60 euros came with Prawns in Batter and Bread,
Left Ria del Barquero in the morning with no wind with the intention of Motoring 12 miles to Ria De Cedeira if the wind did not Pick up but within about 15 mins out of the harbour we had a fair favourable wind, so Goose winged most of the way to a place we are at now Ria De Camarinas, which has a small marina next to a fishing harbour, the fees for my Boat are reasonable at 12 euros pn
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 6, 2010 13:28:02 GMT
Today Saw the First British Cruiser since Leaving Falmouth, and found it's being Delivered for Stuart Fields to Cardiff Bay, after spending most of it's time in Spain..... Small World.
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 7, 2010 1:06:25 GMT
Trapped By bad weather once again, I think it is becoming clear the difference between summer and winter Travel. the weather when it is good is very good (British Standard) but it can deteriorate very Quickly I will be here for at least 4 Days since the weather is not good, indeed very not good I have been again advised to move to the inner pontoons, because of swell. there will be no dramatic photos here though.... but a Local bar where no English is spoken say if I go to a point I will see very Beautiful views.... I think that's what they said..... 4 Kms away,
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ishtar
Member of CYC
Ishtar
The original Ishtar
Posts: 970
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Post by ishtar on Nov 7, 2010 10:37:47 GMT
Bri, you might have to start giving me lat and long for your position - I'm not sure I'm finding you on Google sometimes!
Forecast here is for gusts to 60 or 70mph on Western coasts, so you're not alone. Allan is on a delivery trip bringing a 50 footer back from Dartmouth, so I expect he'll be delayed.
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 7, 2010 11:25:26 GMT
We are affected By the same Systems, if Allan is not Back today I think he will not be back until at least Wednesday, been wondering where he was.
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 8, 2010 6:53:42 GMT
We have Prepared Blue Bear for the oncoming Storm, Apparently a Violent Storm Force 11, a few other Yachts have also recently arrived to avoid the oncoming weather [url  ][/url] We've been Searching out a Spot where we Can View the Forecast Very High or Phenomenal Sea [a href="  "] [/a] since at the point there Is nothing But Ocean in any Westerly Direction until you reach America It May be the best Place but It's a long way to walk in Bad weather so we'll decide at the time if we will go to the point  ..... The place we are moored is Most affected by South westerlies which are not Forecast so we Should be reasonably Comfortable, The Area has had It's Share of Shipwrecks Indeed the Bridge of one Such unfortunate Vessel has Found a new Home, or More Accurately, Become a New Home [a href="  "] [/a] The Walk around the Peninsula was mainly through Wooded areas, with the Occasional Bay allowing us to walk along Sandy Beaches, [a href="  "] [/a] The Sand on the Beaches is Quartz, which gives them a Whitish appearance, the walk took us to the top of the hill which Forms the Peninsula, at the top was a Newly renovated Church, Miles from anywhere so I took the risk of ringing the Bell thankfully no ill became of it, [a href="  "] [/a] We returned to the Village Cutting across the Peninsula Giving us a view of a very Quiet Colourful Village [a href="  "] [/a] Before returning To the Boat we Collected a few Mussels from the Ropes holding the Pontoons [a href="  "] [/a] 5 minutes, a pan full was on the Boil  [a href=" :  "] : [/a] Nothing to do then but visit local Bars. ;D ;D ;D |
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ishtar
Member of CYC
Ishtar
The original Ishtar
Posts: 970
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Post by ishtar on Nov 8, 2010 9:02:48 GMT
That looks like a horse mussel.
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 8, 2010 10:10:03 GMT
That looks like a horse mussel. Yes I believe it is because of the whitish flesh,and the ribs on the inner shell, but there were also blue mussels which have the yellowish flesh. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2010 21:36:37 GMT
Hang on tight guys! don't think I like the idea of 'phenominal' seas! let us know when it's passed and you're still safe and in one piece.
Peter
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Post by brian (Blue Bear) on Nov 8, 2010 22:01:55 GMT
Don't worry Peter we've booked our seats at the point,Cabo vilan  so the worse it gets the more excited I am becoming.... although the way Blue Bear is Swinging on her Moorings has me a little concerned, especially when It gets worse but there are a few of us in the same predicament, so a little Moral support, and help if needed is available. es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabo_Vil%C3%A1n the third Paragraph tells how high the sea can get in this area. almost 100 metres |
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[/url
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[a href="
..... The place we are moored is Most affected by South westerlies which are not Forecast so we Should be reasonably Comfortable, The Area has had It's Share of Shipwrecks Indeed the Bridge of one Such unfortunate Vessel has Found a new Home, or More Accurately, Become a New Home
so the worse it gets the more excited I am becoming.... although the way Blue Bear is Swinging on her Moorings has me a little concerned, especially when It gets worse but there are a few of us in the same predicament, so a little Moral support, and help if needed is available.