kind biscay
October 2, 2024, 20:35 UTC | Kind Biscay
So a quarter of the way after 36 hours and Biscay has so far been very kind to us. After reaching across the Western Approaches to the English Channel under Yankee and Main, the wind veered as predicted, so we gybed and hoisted the big pink kite to try to maintain speed. After a full day under spinnaker, it was time to drop her and ready the boat for an overnight. With batteries in need of a charge, it seemed smart to use the engine for a little extra propulsion as we need to clear ahead of the next inbound low pressure system.
Early issues with seasickness have abated, and the crew all have hearty appetites after a day of sail trim and changes. It looks as though we may have some upwind sailing after all, as conditions after Finisterre differ from earlier forecasts. Into the night we go...
- Emily
EmilyCaruso
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Ketch us if you Kan
Falken is soon to carry on our preferred route of South, back to (hopefully) warmer climates. We’re all excited to set off and see more of this wild landscape as we head down to Victoria. A thermal trough over Vancouver combined with an offshore high pressure creating funneling NW’ly winds means it is due to be pretty fruity on the 9th. This passage is just under 600 miles, relatively short for Falken, but I’m sure we’ll be kept entertained with dramatic scenery, wildlife and weather!
Final Blog
Falken and her crew arrived safely into port last night around 8pm boat time, 10pm Prince Rupert time. Some spicy weather was anticipated, but luckily the 35kt gusts and 2.5 meter waves were no match for this expert crew. We had an exceptionally smooth docking, despite it being Alex's first time parking this year (!). We all agreed that this was a very special group of people—I for one am so impressed with how everyone stayed so positive, helpful, and appreciative of humor despite an arguably challenging passage. We'll all return home significantly saltier than we were when we left, a mark of a passage properly sailed.
Lessons and a Gift
The biggest lesson is the helm. The lesson here is that even if you don't think you can do it over and over again with no sleep, cold and damp, it has to be done and so it can be done. Flying fish are cool, dolphins are really really cool, but the coolest of them all are the whales. And most of all Alex: "Find your center Carla. Always know where your center is so you can come back to it". He means the helm but it applies to life as well.