Splash!

We had arranged to be launched " splashed " on Monday at 10.30 and after a quick supermarket visit and paying our bill at the yard Jose turned up on time with the boat hoist and within an hour we were once again afloat. We stopped briefly at the hammerhead of one of the pontoons to stow stuff and replace the echo sounder and log transponder. By 11.30 we were heading down the Ria considerably quicker than previously due to our now clean, slick bottom and shiny propellor. As we approached Ares we put up sails but it proved to be very frustrating as the wind was light and erratic, by the time we reached the mouth of the Ria I was ready to call it a day and go into A Coruña. However Lynne, ever the voice of reason, said we should persevere as it could just be a local effect.

As I was contemplating the Torre de Hercules off to port, as if by magic the light and flukey winds became a solid force 4 and were right on the beam! Amazing, Dark Tarn took off like a young gazelle.

Lynne who had been a bit poorly that morning went below while I stayed on watch enjoying the best sail for over a month.

We were galloping along at over 6 knots, which was good news as Corme was 42 miles distant.

The sea swell remained non existent and the perfect conditions remained hour after hour until we approached the islas Sisargas.

At this point a couple of other yachts that had been shadowing us came up on the plotter, they had kept close inshore, as the wind died away we reluctantly started the engine to help us with the last 10 miles into Corme, and the first 40 miles of the Costas de Morte, " The Coast of Death " . 

Far from death even Lynne began to feel better and joined me on deck

To be fair and unlike its name, the coast had proven to be less than terrifying, in fact had given us the best day in weeks. It was rocky and had few places of refuge but with careful planning it was fairly straightforward. 

We negotiated the by now common rock strewn, dog leg entrance and anchored in the small harbour of Corme. We were followed by a couple of the boats who had shadowed us along the coast.

The village is spoiled a little by the concrete block model of architecture and didn't really seem to have a lot going on, as it was already late in the day, actually early evening, we didn't bother blowing up the dinghy to go ashore.

 Just had a sundowner after some food and for us an early night. There were now quite a few boats at anchor and we were towards the outside of the harbour in over 12 metres depth which is very deep for us to anchor in but with 40 metres of chain out we had a quiet night asleep, woken by the musical church bells which play Ave Maria on the hour.

We were heading for the end of the world at Finisterre and a careful check of the forcast gave us light winds until the weekend. We decided that rather than rush around the infamous headland we would take a little time to explore the Ria de Camariñas, which is apparently one of the prettiest Rias in Galicia. It Is not recommended to enter the Ria except in calm conditions, so it seemed a good opportunity. The Ria is immediately before the peninsular of Finisterre and would involve a small journey of 20 miles or so south.