The Leaving of Vigo

Positon: 42*55.763N 009*19.874W

1830 hours

Infanta is abeam of Cap Finesterre, about 3 miles off - and we are motoring with glassy calm water, and just a small swell running from the NE.

I drove down to Porto in Portugal for 2000 last night to Pick up Simon Warren and Jane Mendholsson who have kindly come out to help Infanta home

I have spent a weird week by myself in Vigo. On the one hand Vigo has a relaxing cafe culture, and is a great town, on the other hand I have been fretting about the weather prospects all day (and half the night) everyday. Down loading grib files daily at the very grand Real Yacht Club Nautico de Vigo. One day being full of otimism as the weather looks favourable, only to be cast down the next day, when the weather goes pear shaped with northerlies.

But finally, for the next few days (and before a northerly gale closes down the opportunity by the end of this week) the weather looks like we may be able to make the Solent.

We got back to Vigo at midnight, and by the time I had returned the hire car, and we had had a couple of beers - with the breeze still in the NE, we turned in to see what the morning would bring - which was grey overcast and rain, but by breakfast the wind, as predicted, had swung into the SW, and away we went to cheery waves from the Marineras.As we need to make good time, and the wind was only a few knots, we have motoirsailed al lday closehauled, as the wind soon veered into the WNW.

The sun has been out most of the afternoon now, and we are settling into a routine of watches. Thee is no wind at all now, but there is scheduled to be a period of northerly tomorrow.

I am really glad to be on the way home, and hope very much that we have a smoothish run with 600 miles to go.