isla ons isla cies and 40+kts in vigo
isla cies and isla ons are part of the Atlantic maritime natinal park of galicia. those islands are amazing peace of haven, ons is the first one we went to we were alone we are already a bit off season so there is no tourist and only 4 sailing boats. we took the time for our classic trek to the light house, it’s now part of our exploration routine, we took that opportunity to trek all around the island, i love the nature there it look a bit like britany and i really like this environment it remind me home (even if i’m not really from britany).
As always we check the weather a high winds incoming in the next day but we feel like we have time and decided to stay one more night. At this moment it was already rainy amd cold but i motivate the crew to go for a dive, i want them to discover the diversity of fishes that they are in protected area and we have our first cool snorkeling under the rain but the beauty of the marine life quickly take over the cold water and the rain.
<span;>the next morning i woke up early we were supposed to leave at 10 but it seem like the storm is coming a bit quicker than predicted. I woke up the guys take a coffee and we are on our way. As always pick up the anchor in heavy winds is not an easy task but everything went well. we didn’t know at this moment but we were about the experience a serious rodeo. the wind pick up really quickly the wind wasn’t so high +/- 25 knots on the nose with some gust around 30knots but the rain and the current made it impossible. We had 4.7knots of current pushing us on the coast and making our tacking against the wind crazy, we are not gaining any ground. I love my boat but ovnis are not the best for making upwind. After a little test we are 3 rifs in the main and the stromjib is out, i sustain the sails with the engine as i know stronger winds are coming later in the day (40+knots announced at the end of the day).
We are slowly moving our way in direction to Vigo but the sail is a bit stressful and tiring as the big winds are coming and we are moving really slowly while taking clod rain showers. After a few hours of fight, the weather isn’t getting better but we are almost done with the upwind i start to feel better and that we are going to make it in time to the harbour and be safe for the heavy wind. just before the cap the channel is getting narrower and a big cargoship is on our back, i see him but the current is still strong so i decided to tack on going on his path before it arrives on our side. He ga a litle afraid about my moove and call us on the VHF to confirm that we saw him 😅😅, of course man you are fu**ing steering a massive 300m cargoship, but thank you for checking on us Prometeus Leader. Once we passed the cap we move to sidewind and pressure is slowly releasing. i gave the helm to Dani after around 4 hours of streering and go for a well deserved cigarette (i know it’s not good but i enjoyed it) fresh and dry socks and a little cereal bar. we made it in time at Liceo Maritimo de Buzas secured the boat on the dock and go a warm shower, when you live full time on the boat you really realise the luxury of a warm shower, and even more after this kind of sailing. when we arrived I had a little smile on my face as i saw our friend Manena on the AIS at the harbour too. We spent the night with them we didn’t saw them for a month so we both had plenty of stories to tell.
