Introduction

 

Welcome to our blog about sailing around Galicia in our boat Eas Mhor in Summer 2024.

Liz and I (Richard) have sailed together for 35 years on five different boats, with destinations including Scotland,  Ireland,  West, South & East coasts of the UK, NL, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal and the Western Mediterranean.

Our Mediterranean voyage, during a two year career break 21 years ago, took us briefly around Galicia, North West Spain, with rugged coastlines,  wild Atlantic seas, and large calm protected Rias (Spanish sea-lochs).  We loved it.  For twenty years we’ve promised we’d return.   And this year we’re going, direct across Biscay, nearly 600 miles non-stop from Portishead to La Coruna, with very experienced and professional delivery crew Anna and Bones.

Our preparations have been extensive, including “polishing” (filtering) the diesel in our tank, cleaning the tank and topping up at Portishead Fuel berth.

Our insurer required a survey before renewal in 2025, and one of our last tasks was to have Eas Mhor lifted and a surveyor check over the hull as well as the rest of the boat before departing.  Thankfully, nothing urgent was found, just a few things to attend to over the winter, when we hope to leave the boat somewhere in Spain.  Portishead marina staff also jet-washed  the weed off the hull, so we could glide unimpeded through the water.


At this point we have to say thanks, not just to our crew, but to the staff at Portishead Marina, who’ve generously suspended our contract awaiting our planned autumn 2025 return, and also to many friends and family who’ve wished us bon voyage.  We planned to depart on Saturday morning June 8th, and spent Friday evening relaxing, listening to Dvořák’s New World symphony at Colston Hall with friends, a wonderful way to settle any nerves.

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