9/5/2022 Santander, Spain

Up early as the sun was rising making for a beautiful sky and a sunny day. The wind came up unexpectedly making it a bit rough for a dinghy ride into town. When it looked like the wind was settling we jumped in the dinghy, but maybe premature as it was a pretty rough ride. We had the usual search for a spot to leave the dink, but finally settled on a spot in the corner of the marina.

On shore we wondered through the town, as always, we were in search of something in particular; liquor to stock the bar and wire for my next project. Liquor was easy, but no wire. The city of Santander is beautiful with very stately buildings along the water front and its share of ancient castles and churches.

Stopped for gelato and they had my new favorite flavor, Speculoos! The wind was not slowing down so we figured we better check on the boat. It was an even snottier ride back to the boat. The wind did finally settle and we enjoyed a relaxing sunny afternoon. A boat from Helsinki pulled in and anchored. Another pair of boats were flagged from France and a Super Maramu had a very small French flag, I think. All looked like cruisers.

My project for the day was to properly splice the spare anchor rode and chain together. I had never spliced 8 plait rode so it was a learning experience, but it looks beautiful. The spare anchor and rode is now properly set up and hopefully never needed.

It was pizza for dinner and a great sunset.

9/6/2022 Santander, Spain

Up early to get to San Vincente de la Barquera, about  29 miles. Rigged the code zero anticipating light wind. We rounded the point and found our selves close hauled with the Genoa and Main out. We were beating into a 17-knot wind and a big swell. After a couple tacks, we reefed and leveled out. After a few more tacks we had made very little progress, so on with the engine. The swell had a long period, so in spite of their 9’ height, they were not uncomfortable.

The shoreline was beautiful with cliffs and amazing green grass lands. The wind clocked as predicted, out came the code zero and a beautiful broad reach. We arrived at the anchorage at a falling tide as planned. As suspected, there was not enough water here for us. In fact, we sounded the bottom with our keel, fortunately at low speed so we could back out. Looks like we will head further west to Llanes, a small fishing village and anchorage about 16 miles away.

The seas were getting a bit confused and the wind died so we motored to Llanes. Arriving at Llanes we found plenty water and plenty of swell in a very tight cove. We considered our options, the next port would be a tie to the wall type mooring, but a shallow entry and not enough water with the low tide. The next option was Lastres for an anchorage that should be reasonably protected from the swell.

We motored another 24 miles as the sun was setting. He seas were less confused and no wind. Arriving at Lastres after sunset we groped our way around the anchorage and settled for a spot about 150 m from shore in about 7m. It was about 2200, but we were wound up and not ready to sleep. We played Mexican train until about midnight. Satisfied that we were safely anchored we enjoyed a very calm night and great sleep.

9/7/2022 Lastres, Spain

Slept in and awoke to sunshine and lots of fishing boats working in the fish farm. Cleaned up from the long day yesterday and prepared for the 19 miles to Gijon.

No wind and a much calmer sea had us in Gijon by 1500. We took and end tie at Yates Marina on the west side of the harbor, it was more industrial, but we thought we would have better luck sourcing some items we were looking for. The weather man was calling for rain so being the harbor was more comfortable. Jesus at the reception desk was extraordinarily helpful. We must have spent an hour or more as he called around looking for the things we needed. The big item was cable for my 230v electrical service I was installing. He found it, but we had to dash off on our bikes to get it; the store closes at 1800 and tomorrow was a holiday with everything closed.

We made it to the store in time and bought what we needed. On the way back the rain started so we ducked into a market for a bit of food and managed to miss most of the rain. Back at the boat we did have rain overnight, but happy to be safe and comfortable.

9/8/2022 Gijon, Spain

For the Spaniards it was a holiday. For Bill and Suzette, it was a work day. I was able to get most of the 230v system installed as well as finish running the wire for the guest cabin fan. Suzette did some cleaning and laundry. With heavier winds predicted we pulled down the Genoa and put up the self-tacking jib for the first time, it looks like a beautiful sail. The day was overcast and a bit of rain fell, but we were unaffected. A very productive day, I think I was putting off the 230v project because it required drilling some big holes in my new boat!

9/9/2022 Gijon, Spain

The sun shined and the air was cool, just right. Went shopping for some specific items as we have guests coming. We enjoyed riding our bikes through town and on their great bike path. Checked in with the marina on the east side of the harbor to make sure they could accommodate; we will move there tomorrow. We found most of the things on our short list, important things like coffee cups. We have been drinking water, cocktails and coffee from the same 4 glasses we brought with us from home.

We participated in the 2-hour lunch tradition at an Italian restaurant called Pinocchio on the beach in Gijon. Back on the boat it was back to work. We have a few small ports that do not have screens and we are finding that the mosquitos are problematic. So I managed to fashion screens for 2 of them and I have a solution for the other two, more shopping for parts tomorrow.