aye aye captain

Managed to get away from the Volcanic ash for a couple of days to help Tom and Chris take the Yacht from Empurius to Barcelona. 
The three intrepid explorers set off at a leisurely pace, as we slipped out of the port al was good and calm for the first half an hour, until we were well and truly in the middle of the Bay of Rosas. If anyone offers you a trip across this bay, the day after a Tramontana. I think I would have felt better in a dish washer.


Leaving the detail out, we finally made it out of the bay, past Franco's folly and on down the coast towards St Feliu de Guixols,a pretty little port where we were able to use the yacht club facilities to shower and warm up, followed by tapas and wine in a pleasant restaurant.


Early to bed means early to rise, which we also managed.


We set off the next morning in altogether far better weather, there was a soft breeze and the sun was shining. We had to motor for a good part of the day as we had a dead line to reach Barcelona by mid afternoon but as the wind picked up to force 4, we could not resist and has a few hours excellent sailing. Now this is what it as all about.


Tom's boat is a Bavaria 38 and we spent the day following another boat which seemed to be on the same course. We were delighted to find out that it was a 53 and we had managed to keep up with it all day.


On entering the port of Barcelona, we were ready for a rest and to make our onward journey, only to be pulled over by the Gardia Civil. When you are called over be gun toting spanish guys, it is generally a good idea to do as they say. Anyway nothing found papers in order and no strip search (much to Chris's disappointment) we made it into harbour, after a great couple of days on the ocean waves.