Fun in Sada and Redes

A series of photos taken after finishing the major fitting job, and the test trip to Sada, also visiting Redes for their classic boat race. GL came 3rd of the bigger boats and received a prize for taking part.

Wind Pilot Test Day 16-07-2009

Well folks after quite a while Guiding Light is on the move again, the installation of the Hydrovane itself was completed during the week with loads of help from the girls and on Wednesday afternoon with a final bit of help from Carlos! Done! So Thursday was Test Day, Wednesday evening...thurs morning was spent with Sonia and Isabel culminating in 'La Madame Sans Gere' in celebration! with Patricia and Bacho as well. Sonia a very competant racing sailor and also teaches Yoga, (big boats) joined me at 9am later Thursday morning, and when ready for sea, we left the berth and fueled the boat. The wind was quite strong F5ish which made that a bit awkward, as we left in glorious sunshine, Carlos now with changed job as Sailing Instuctor, came alongside with his students to say good sailing, and Sonia + me began hoisting sail....as we were in the middle of that..... a rain squall came across the port F^in F6! Sonia dived below to get our waterproofs but to late for me! soaked dosent really describe it. Whilst we were in this condition I engaged the pilot for its first test, left Sonia already fully waterproofed watching it, and went below to change! SUCCESS!! the Hydrovane was driving the boat no problem. The test journey was to 'Sada Marina' at Sada in Ria de Betanzos Position: 43,21.51N , 8,14.79W, a double barreled reason, second part was for a social visit as well, during the next couple of hours we were close hauled, beam reach, broard reach and downwind on both tacks, the pilot performed perfectly, I couldnt help staring at it steering the boat with my tiller lashed amidships. Slight adjustments to the heading on the control line had imeadiate effect every time WOW WoW WOW.
Sonia lives in Sada and has her friend Anna a portrait painter staying with her, Isabel was born here, she is a Galizian through and through and has sailed these waters since she was 3 or 4 years old with her Dad! amazingly enough we found out only Wednesday that we share the same birth date of 7th April! how amazing is that! she is a local television actress, the television studios are in Santiago and because she was working recording her latest soap series was joining us later, her family live here too.
On arrival at Sada we were greeted by Casper! he is a very large Dolphin who visits Sada very often, I have to say so similar to 'Fungi' the Dolphin at 'Dingle' in southern Ireland, he played with the rudder and the boat for about an hour, all the way to the berth and while we were mooring, amazing.
With port formalities over we headed for Sonias house (with my wet laundry), Anna cooked a traditional Galizian lunch of grilled sardines and potatoes, small green peppers, some so hot they burn (we were all caught out), bread, pie and Sonias dips with Isabel's cakes for afters, Isabel arrived and joined us and we sat in Sonias garden veranda with the dogs and cats having a wonderful lunch, UNbelieveably good occasion. The evening was so lovely we all went back to the boat at 2000 for an evening sail, going there and back to 'Redes' Position: 43,25.06N 8,11.90W Anna had never ever been in a boat and when asked how she was enjoying it replied "I'm on a different planet" on the way back answering the same question said "it feels like I've done this all my life", Isabel and Sonia were singing traditional and some not so traditional songs at the top of their voices and much fun was had, sunset was specacular like the eye of Gandor as it came below the distant cloud bank and dipped below the Atlantic Ocean sea horizon, we arrived back at 2315hrs and off for a meal next to the Pirate bar, we were going to visit there as well but we were all too tired so decided to call it quits.
Today Friday 17 is catch up day for me.
Roy

Monday 13 July, not friday

I know everybody is checking and it appears nothing has happened for a bit,,,but,,,,,,well I havent moved except for turning the boat arse face about. Its difficult to explain, finding the people to do what you need is as difficult in UK as here in Espania, prob here is, for me, no Spanish, I am a Scouser however, and, I speak through my dnose and do a lot of waving my hands about (spilling drinks, OP's and my own) in an unknown and unwritten but internationaly recognised sign/sound language (if you can spell or draw pictures on beer mats as well) while pissed out of one's tree! in a strange bar, soooo,
I have achived the following here:-
1) at the sharp end, ermm, the end of the bow sprit, I fitted the jib sail foot fitting, it's only taken me 14 years to get round to that; Its been in the bosun's bag waiting all this time. Carolyn is right, but not only the house, my boat is also full of unfinished projects!
2) I found spinniker pole ends exactly 48m/m in dia that fit the home made (Dick and I) whisker poles (sawn in half dingy mast) fitted in Falmouth perfectly!! prob of losing jib sheets sorted. I did also file the sawn ends smooth.
3) Finding the right speck for the cockpit washboards, 2 sliding locks and 2 holes drilled, sorted! magic place. Dick & Sue should know exactly were they are now.
4) Main Sail! Llew can tell the story when off Ramsey in a F5 (I dont forget Llew's herculian heave with the Dingy), Llew holding the boat into the wind and me losing my grip on the boat and swinging overboard hanging on for grim death on the main halyard, pain in the arse, Ive fitted lazyjacks, dont like them on a classic boat but hell on my own its always been a bastard lowering the main, and energy consuming. tested and they work!! Sorted!
5) Running Backstays:- Well I've never figured out how to stop them rubbing the mainsail stitching away on the leeward side, Dick and myself came up with an option but no good, as on that side climbing out the cockpit is not the best idea when trying to tack on watch alone, 2 small blocks 1 each side and a piece of line running the backstay to were we had the idea. Sorted!
6) Finding a suitable wind steering device, measuring and ordering and receiving it here.
Im missing my golfing umbrella like mad. Cockpit gets wet! Dick had to go home with it.
7) Sourcing a Stainless steel supplier. Then an engineering company to bend it.
8) Sourcing a wood Yard who Has Teak! then sizing and receiving.
9) most important, designing a sympathatic to boat design, bracket mounting, trying to follow the lines of the hull for the Hydrovane auxillary rudder, then manufacturing and fitting it alonside in a Marina!
Soooo Ive been a bit busy to do a blog update. have crap internet, but will try and post some pics before I leave here.
Roy

Small update

Hi all, well it has taken since arrival in Spain, but finally found a place to get some Methylated spirits, after a lot of blank stares as Ive trying to explain the stuff I wanted. For future info its called 'Alcahol Quemar', I took a chance and bought a bottle of the stuff cos it had the same warnings on the label, 'bingo' it was were I found parrafin which they use both for starting bar-ba-q's, a bonus is it doesnt smell, so that is even better.
Next success is the Hydrovane wind steering, have to make a bracket to fit it on the stern but have been assured it will work, after talking to 2 guys who have fitted this type to their yachts Ive made the right choice as well, they have all had other types fitted but say this is the best and no problem fitting to the boat. Of course its not as easy as that and finding a firm here who can supply the stainless steel has taken over a week. On a shortcut back to the boat I came across bar 'La Madame sans Gere' they sell Guinness!! first time couldnt remember going home, second time I got talking to the girls Sonia and Isabel about the problems of finding material, we were overheard by Carlos, who is working as a plummer here and comes from Madrid, cut a long story but he took me to a firm yesterday and the steel is now ordered and being made, soon to be fitted.

Test Message

Hi all again,
further to the blog this morning,
This is another test as Carolyn and myself still have an issue with posting, hope this time its ok
Forgot to mention how many hrs the engine has been running as if anyone is interested, well when on the point in Beaumaris it was up to 594 that was when the engine blew up! so since then we went to Holyhead, Beaumaris, Liverpool, Holyhead, and the journey to Falmouth, Gijon, Ria de Vivero and La Coruna. Concidering the times I was charging the Batts and fixing probs which is all included the hour counter now stands at 724 only 130hrs for this trip so far, I had full fuel in liverpool before leaving last year and we fueled up in Falmouth, not empty, Im not empty now either. So fuel wise engine is doing ok and is economical.
present boats Position: 43,22.4N , 8,23.9W.
Roy

La Coruna at last

Hi All, Well at last the boat is here, I arrived at 10am yesterday, signed in the office and went to ´the wet room´ and slept till 4pm, then shower do the laundry and then to the bars, a bit of Tapas and a few Cevesa normal followed with Mejillones al vapour, very nice too.
I have now logged 951.6 nautical miles since leaving Holyhead, think Ill be opening a bottle of champane soon as the first 1000 miles is soon to be reached. Pic is titled ´Lifes a Beach´ at anchor Vivero, hope to have many like this and prob bore the pants off everyone. The deal at this brand new Marina is 2 for 1, pay one day get one free! msg for Clew, no visiters moorings anymore, fuel berth has moved and your bar is still there!
I will be designing, and hopefully making and fitting a bracket to the arse end, this to fit a mechanical crew member called ´Fred´ (wind steering auxillary rudder) made by Hydrovane I´m hoping they say it will fit ok.

Lifes a Beach

Still At Ria de Vivero

Waiting for a weather window again, La Caruna is only 11hrs away as my next port of call but another bad forecast has kept me here today, force 7 everywhere in sea area Finistere!!! apparently there is a north west swell running into the Bay of Biscay too, and the predicted wind is North east, 90deg difference which makes for a very rough sea, I or the boat won't be havin any of that thank you very much. The town here is very nice, as are the bars. The local people couldnt be more friendly, my thanks go to the proprieter of Motomar, Luis proprieter of a hardware shop, Clara from information comercial and others who helped me very much with a slight acquistion of materials problem, both of which were sorted out AOK. The local beer is only 1 euro a glass, and a lot of bars and resurants have a sign saying 'Si Fuma' Magic! what more can I say.

Northeastern Spanish 'Ria's

As the weather is still very cloudy/warm with little wind, decided to do a couple of hops on my way to La Caruna. This coast line from the sea is very forbidding, and can be very rough in bad weather, its a bit like the rocky Cornish coast, just as spectacular. Seeing the Atlantic swell crashing against the rocks as you navigate into the Ria entrance, even with no wind is a sight to see. So I Left Gijon 2.30pm Sat.afternoon 13/06 for the 100ish mile journey to 'Ria de Vivero' arriving here at 1800hrs Sunday night. I was very tired after the trip but decided to anchor just off the curving sandy beach were the river joins the Ria. This meant a lot more work, just when you think you've finished, the dingy has to be pumped up, outboard motor unshipped and fitted, but the little dingy trip up the river to the Marina and the the local football bar in the old town with free Tapas, a nice cool beer and a Fag, all at the same time, it just makes it all worth while. Position: 43,40.49N , 7,36.2W. Had a wonderfull quiet nights sleep and awoke to a flat calm. The scenery here is something else!
Roy

June Latest

pic downwind with home made whisker poles
Hi all, well its taking a few days to get my head round doing it by myself again, I was getting really used to having help with running the boat. First thing I did was go to the Guinness Bar, the barman Franco fed me about 5 pints (carnt remember) next morning mind was a blank sheet again so could start from scratch. Have rotton weather here, but will furkle a bit further today, no wind and that fine drizzle. I will make for Ria de Vivereo but as with any trip if it looks good for La Caruna I will do that instead. Thanks to everyone whos posted comments and support to Dick Sue and myself, all much apreciated. Looking now for a mechanical crew member that can steer the boat.

Unfortunate misshap

We have had a misshap on board and we have broken a crew member, Dick. He has seriously torn a ligiment in his left leg and is in a lot of pain. After a visit to local hospital for x rays etc. he was told to heal will take 6 weeks ish, he will now be going home with Sue to recuperate. As you can imagine he is not too pleased about this, niether are Sue and myself. I will be carring on slowly and visit the 'Rias' of north western Spain on my way to the Canaries. Hopefully he will heal quickly and they can rejoin the boat soon. Weather here is warm ish but having a lot of rain from the persistant low's that are around at present. Time for some more little nigerly jobs to clear off the work list. Finally found the problem with engine to be the govenor slide sticking, so have repaired that and engine is back to normal at long last. More news later
Roy

Leaving falmouth 2

June Update 2

Leaving Falmouth

Hi all, well we made it ok, Friday saw a low develop right in front of us at 9am, the wind had gone, then the wind came back from the west and increased all the way to a Force 7, staying there till we docked at 7pm Sat evening, whew. As you know we couldnt make La Caruna in that wind direction so we are now in Gijon enjoying the visit. More later
Roy-Sue-Dick

June:Update:No.1

Hi all, Well a good weather window saw us leave Falmouth yesterday. We left at 12.45hrs from the fuel quay, (they ran out of deisel so not full). There was a nice breeze for leaving and very kindly Mr Chris Waddington (Puritan) of Royal Southern YC took our camra in his dingy and took some really good photos of our departure. The best will be posted when we arrive in La Caruna in a few days. The weather here as I write is wonderfull, we are going downdwind with our makeshift whisker poles in action and very successful, we are nealy round the corner into the Bay of BiscayPosition: 48,35.99N , 5,25.19W Speed: 3 knots, Course: 176 deg.
I am off watch now and ready for a doze after lunch, Dick is at the tiller with Sue on watch with him. We have an ETA of 97hrs too the breakwater at La Caruna. Keep your eye on the Blog.
Roy-Sue-Dick

End of May

Drying out after arrival Falmouth

Hi all, As May comes to a close it sees us still in Falmouth, there have been storms here all week and now they've calmed a bit but today 29th we have a strong wind warning again here in south west. This time waiting is not being wasted, there are a couple of annoying deck leaks we are fixing, also a mod to the solar charge and shaft charge circuits which gives more versatility of choice. Another trial 'temp mod' is for down wind sailing, we've fitted a new haliyard from the spares cupboard to the fwd mast head, aquired an ali dingy mast, and are making a couple of whisker poles to pole out the big jib, and spare big jib set flying. The sheets from these will be attached through sheet leads directly to the tiller, its a known way of doing it from the past, we will see if it works on guiding light. Roy lost his glasses yet again! and is blind as a bat waiting for specs to be made!  A diet of Cornish Pasties, Cornish Cream Teas, Guinness, Falmouth isnt a bad place to wait. The 'Bosun's Locker' chandlery have been helpful in our mods also 'Oddies Pub'. As to leaving, the 'UGrib' site is showing its ok for next week, we monitor this every day, so maybe 2-3 or 4 of June could be good for Biscay and our next port La Caruna.

Roy-Sue-Dick 

 

Latest Update

Hi all,

We arrived in Falmouth yesterday morning in glorious sunshine at 07.45hrs after a really good sail down the Irish Sea, wind was force 5 to 6 for most of it but it dropped down and we had to motor round Lands End in a flat calm. The trip was very good but leaving Holyhead we got mixed up in a tide race off shore and took a huge wave on deck, this soaked our forward sleeping quarters which became untenable, all fixed now and we are adjusting things so it can never happen again. Sue produced gourmay food in difficult conditions, you carnt beat sitting down having savoury mince, mashed potatoes and fresh bread, and fruit salad all with silver service, this while the boat blasts along at 7knots sailing her self !!

Roy Sue Dick

On our way

Hi all, Well folks we are on our way at last, we left Holyhead at 1950hs on Wednesday night armed with a favourable forcast for Thursday through to the weekend, present Position: 52,46.24N , 5,25.50W Speed: 5 knots, Course: 166 deg. very sunny wind light from the west. More info later.
PS. Holyhead Lifeboat men are friendly guys.
Roy-Sue-Dick

May Update 4

Hi All, Just to let everyone know we are still waiting for the wind to drop and change direction, latest forcast is midnight Wednesday so we have to wait a little longer.
Roy-Sue-Dick

May Update 3

Vessel name: Guiding Light
Position: 53,19.18N , 4,38.63W

Hi all,
Well the winds are not looking good for us to leave any time soon. The boat is now ready to go with most equipment and stores stowed away, finding the right positions for everything is a pain and will be adjusted as we find the need. This wait has given time to get round to fiddley jobs we wanted to do in the sun but they are getting done now. Next possible departure is towards the end of next week, we will keep you posted.
Roy, Sue, Dick

May Update 2

Heading for Ireland after the storm 2100 hrs

We left Liverpool at 11am on Sat 9th May heading for Holyhead again, ran into some heavy weather over 35 knots of wind, but by 2100hrs it had calmed and we headed for Ireland, only way to go because of the westerly wind. It took 21 hrs to reach Holyhead at 0800 hrs on Sunday 10. Open day began at 1300 hrs and many friends and relatives came to see us and wish us well on our voyage. We wish to thank all of you it was much appreciated. The boat handled the storm with no problems and has given the crew confidence in its capabilities, we all worked well together and can let all followers know we will continue to sail with the same safety and respect for the open ocean on our travels.

We will now be storing Guiding Light ready for our departure any time after the 16th May weather permiting.

Roy-Sue-Dick

May Update 1

on passage to Liverpool

Hi all

Well, the visit and open days to Liverpool have been a success, a lot of friends paid a visit over the bank holiday to wish us well on our trip. The Marina Bar at Brunswick Dock were very good hosts as well and we did enjoy Sunday breakfast. The weather has closed in this week so our plan to go to Holyhead has been cancelled, we will probably be leaving Liverpool on Saturday 9th now. NB our planned open days in Holyhead will be decided this week, may mean a delay in the departure date as well.

Roy-Sue-Dick

April Update 2

Hi all
We are now on sea trail legs, just the three of us, first Holyhead to Beaumaris, for an overnight stay which we did yesterday (dingy training), and today 29th Beaumaris to Liverpool Marina. We left Beaumaris this morning at 08:15 hrs and arrived at the Lock gates in the river Mersey at 15:00 hrs, we had one incident on passage, that being the painter line on the dingy parted! this halfway up the Mersey in the channel! This meant an impromptu training exercise of manoverboard and recovery under sail, we performed the broadreach away-tack-broadreach back feather/stall, third time success! After lock in and mooring we had a very nice well deserved 'Pint'.
The wind on passage was from the East-Southeast force 5 gusting 6 in rain squalls, this meant a broad reach all the way, so we had a good sail dipping the lee rail at times and reaching over 9 knts with the tide behind us. All crew performed well and a pat on the back well deserved!
Roy, Sue, Dick.

Guiding Light at Holyhead

click to enlarge

April Update

Hi all, we had some good weather during March and April and we made very good progress, so we are pleased to tell you of our launch yesterday 14 April at 14:33hrs, Guiding Light looked a picture, we then took her to Holyhead Marina arriving there at 19:12hrs. All went very well, as there was no wind we motored all the way, I still have a small problem with the fuel line, and will renew this shortly. So the first leg has been completed. We had one guest aboard for this very first leg, that being 'Isabelle' who is 12 and is Sue's niece, she said she enjoyed the trip even though the wind was very cold, and all though she had done nothing much she hadnt got bored, the highest praise I could have wished for. 

Roy-Sue-Dick-Isabelle.

March Update

We are now preparing the hull, old antifouling off, prime and 3 coats of new. Launch date is fast aproaching and all is still going well and on schedual. This particular Post is to test communications and make sure that posting via e-mail will work well when on passage.

Roy