From Brest we continued south, and came to the fantastic out post Ile De Sein. A place definitely worth to visit, but you need good weather as the place is very exposed to the fierce Atlantic waves when the wind is strong and there are few places to find shelter close by.

View from the light house

The main anchorage

We got some delicious dinner as well, together with brother Thomas and Brita

Next step was Audiere where Thomas and Brita left, so now we were alone

Audiere is a nice stop, and they had a nice market.

Ile De Glenan magic beauty

On our way to Ile De Houat we had company with Eric on Abayomi another Amel Super Maramu, we meet him first time on Jersey.

We took the oportunity to try some new combination of sails as we could compare the speed with Abayomi, Gues who was the fastest?

We arrive to the west side of the Ile De Houat, to a very crowded but nice anchorage

The evening was very beautiful

The same anchorage the day after seen from land

When the wind turned, we moved to the east side of Ile De Houat

And had a nice stroll on the beach

Just south you have Ile De Hoedic

All these islands are very crowded, we were there in August the main holiday month, but even though we thought it was marvellous islands to visit. So if you plan to go south from northern Europe, you should definitely allocate time to visit these islands, but try to avoid being there in August. except for Ile De Sein, you will easily find shelter as good anchorage around the islands, so you should find shelter whatever direction of the wind.

Next stop was La Rochelle, the place where Amel boats are built. We had looked forward  to see the place and had planned to have a few things done and buy some spare parts, but due to holiday there where very few people there, so it become a bit of an anticlimax. We did not stay long, instead we crossed the Bay of Biscay from there towards Gion. We had a very quick and pleasant crossing. We can’t say that about our next leg from Gion to Ribadeo further west on the Spanish Atlantic coast. Very strong head wind and heavy rain.

Fortunately, the weather calmed down when reaching Ribadeo

Ribadeo is a suitable place to stay on your way west along the Spanish Atlantic coast, not very expensive and they have the nesseasary facilities.

Next stop on aur way west before turning south was A Coruna.

Coruna is always nice to visit, it became a short stop, but we had time to try some of the delicious food that Galicia can offer.

Kerstin and I are enjoying seafood

And to our delight we by change got a very good wine, made from for us unknown grape, Albarino, which we learned was a common grape in Galicien and northern Portugal

We went around several shops and bought several bottles of white wine made of Abarino grapes and most of them were excellent.

We strongly recommend to try if you have not yet tasted white wine made of Abarino grapes, cost is a bit higher they start at 10 euro

In Coruna we decided to team up with a few other boats to pas the worst part of the Atlantic coast when it comes to Orca attacks. It had recently been frequent attacks around Finisterre and the surrounding area.

Here we have a great time in Muxia, it was some kind of Carnevale.

Lunch together with the crew from Wind of Gothenburg, and the Norwegian couple on Paloma (if I remember right, we meet first time in Amsterdam).

They served all kind of food both from the sea and from farms, and people were partying on the street.

And so did we.

Kerstin with a happy face as she just got a mega large Caipirinha!

Muxia from above, it was a nice area to walk as well, so not only partying.

Finisterre

Finisterre is an epic point to pass, not only for sailors, but also for pilgrim walkers as it is the end point of the Camino Finisterre, Ancient Pilgrims though Finisterre was the end of the world Finisterre means the end of the world in Latin

Rounding Cabe De Finisterre. Luckily without any encounter any Orcas. For you who are not familiar with the Orca issue, the coast from Gibraltar up to Galicien and occasionally as far north as Brest, frequent boats has been attacked by Orcas. They attack the rudder often resulting in totally damage rudder and help has been needed for being towed into nearest safe harbor. a handfull of boat has been sunken. Must be a scary experience.

And of course we had to take a walk to the light house, it was many people on pilgrim walks along the trail.

The surrounding area is very beautiful, definitely worth a stop.

We have sailed the Spanish and Portuguese west coast a few times, and we do like to anchor at Anse de Barra, a very protected anchorage with nice walks, a nice beach and a few bars. This time we enjoyed the beach and the bars only

Peniche

Peniche in Portugal is also worth a stop for a day or two, it has some amazing cliff formation’s

If you do not think the cliff formations are worth to stop for, I recommend at least to stop/take a trip out to the island Ilha Da Berlanga just outside Pernich, also an outpost, if to rough to anchor, one can take day trips from Peniche. Highly recommended.

I stop there next blog will be about our time in Lagos, Portimão and the Canary Islands.