Avalon Progress Report 23.11.00
Well, Jim and Rosemary have successfully passed the first Challenge - the Bay of Biscay. The journey was not good, taking 5 days in stormy weather with gales and rough seas making life difficult for them. They did not see any other yachts, but saw lots of bigger ships, which meant that they were not able to get much sleep - presumably having to be on the lookout the whole time. They are also (in Rosemary's own words) rather bruised and very damp.
Arthur (ship's mascot) was found on the floor at one point, whimpering that he wanted to go home, but he's alright now - he's found his sea legs.
Below is a picture of Avalon taken before they set out last week. Avalon is now moored in the Spanish port of La Coruna (click on the map below for more details).
Jim and Rosemary have made contact with a number of other sailors who are all waiting in the harbour of La Coruna, and like the others, intend to stay there for a few days, drying out, getting some sleep and generally waiting until the wind, now in the South West and directly against them, changes, so that they can get round Cape Finisterre. From there it should be a better journey to the Canaries, although they may stop off at the island of Porto Santo near Madeira where they may rest up for a while. After all, they are in no hurry now that they have passed the first test.
They are enjoying a diet of freshly cooked local fish, and I believe they are learning some Spanish. Although the weather is not good, the temperature is about 10 degrees warmer than it is in Cornwall at the moment, so they are glad they set off when they did.
