Nomad 2023

The forecast is rubbish for the next few days so I will stay here awhile. The marina lady told me that while I was away the spring tide, low pressure and storm swell combined to overtop the walls and flood the old town. Buildings and structures around the marina have been damaged by the pontoons rising so high. I missed the excitement. Drying out.

I have arrived back on the boat to find it damp and smelly and half the electrics don't work. Maybe it always smells this bad and I had just gotten used to it. Cushions are wet and have gone mouldy. The seals that I put around the windows have had their first proper test in three months and don't seem to have passed. The weather isn't looking any better for the coming week either. I think the best thing to do is drink some beer and climb into my sleeping bag.

Leaving the boat here while I visit Margaux. Back on the 30th.

Illa de Tambo. Ria de Ponevedra. A lighthouse out of a fairy tale. Weatherwise, what change! Apart from a short break tomorrow and Tuesday, it is forecast to rain every hour of every day for the next 10 days.

Rain and wind. This is the first proper rain that I've seen since I left the UK. If I was at home I'd go to the pub but they don't have them here.

I nearly didn't check for Orcas this morning, it's been so quiet recently and I was halfway out of the Ria when I did and good thing too.  There was an attack (I'm calling it that even if they are playing) yesterday right in my path just outside the Ria. A quick about turn. And I'm anchored at the head of the Ria. The weather's going to turn so I'll probably be in this Ria for a few days.

Nomad beached. No anode. Anode. With loctite on the bolt ends, duralec on the bolt bodies and mastic over the bolt heads. And as tight as I can get them. Let's see.

I've found a radio station that plays Northumbrian, Scottish and Irish folk songs. ,(not 24 hours). At last, a trace of Celtichood.

I think I've found my spot to dry out on. Muros beach. I'll give it a try on Monday.

Punta de la Barca. Lighthouse, church and memorial all in one shot. Looks like a popular tourist spot. Passing Cape Finisterre. Shame about my finger. This is where I have anchored. Next to a sandbank where I planned to dry out and fit my anode. But it's neaps, the difference between high and low tide is only a metre and the sandbank doesn't even get exposed at low water. Drat! Time to think again. I've just had a dolphin swim around and under the boat for about 5 mins. He kept turning on his side and looking at me. I wonder what he wanted?

It's happened again! I'm in the sailing club here at Camarinas, I order a drink and get given a mini meal to go with it. No wonder nobody's ordering food, they're giving it away! I think I know what their game is, I ordered another three drinks and no more grub.

Lighthouse at Cabo Vilan with unsympathetic building next to it. Puerto de Camarinas. I'm anchored out here but I might go in later.

Nomad was taking a bit of a hammering up against the sea wall. With a bit of help from my new friend Olaf, I have managed to get off and out to an anchorage. Poor Olaf is going to have a sleepless night adjusting his fenders.

Change of wind direction, change of shelter. Nomad against the harbour wall. Not sure about this when the wind picks up but an outgoing fisherman gesticulated for me to take it, it would have seemed rude not to. I'd rather have anchored In Laxe. The Swedish boat ahead of me dragged it's anchor while he was ashore and ended up bumping alongside the little local fishing boat. Time for Brendan to take action and save the day with strategically placed fenders. His boat was wide open and his drugs laid out on the table. But I didnt take any.

Lighthouse at the entrance to the Ria.

Lots more boats here with the 'Global Solo Challenge' logo on them, like the monster catamaran in Bilbao. It turns out that A Coruña is the start and finish point for this round the world non stop race. Boats will leave here between now and January, depending on how fast they are, and they should all arrive back here at roughly the same time. It seems like a good idea. Instead of starting at the same time and immediately spreading out and hardly ever seeing another boat along the way, there will be a constant passing and bunching of boats, much more sociable! I should have taken a few photos but too late now.