Odyssey adventures

Vessel Name: Odyssey
Vessel Make/Model: Dudley Dix 38
Crew: Liz & Liam
About: An Irish ships captain and Welsh/Chinese accountant, after quiting our jobs we have decided to embark on our adventure aboard our 38ft steel yacht before Liz reaches 30.
Extra:
We acquired Odyssey in October 2014 in the UK. She has been sitting at Haslar marina all winter where we have been preparing for our 18 month voyage. Our plan is to join the ARC+ rally departing the Canaries in November, heading to St. Lucia via Cape Verdes. From there we plan on spending a few [...]
01 May 2016
15 April 2016
28 January 2016
09 January 2016
07 November 2015
07 October 2015
25 September 2015
22 September 2015 | Canaries
20 September 2015
23 August 2015
05 August 2015
30 July 2015 | Galicia
25 July 2015 | A Coruna
25 July 2015 | Brittany
25 July 2015
25 July 2015
12 July 2015 | Penzance
Recent Blog Posts
09 May 2016

Anchorages of the Virgin Islands

We have had a jolly ol' time in the British and US Virgin Islands and here are some, but not all, of our favourite anchorages there. Easy sailing with the next island barely an hour away. Watch out for the inexperienced charter boat, of which there are plenty in the BVIs. Turtles in every bay, swimming [...]

01 May 2016

Jack's story

“Did a car just pull up?” I looked around. The roads were empty, just a couple of bars, their light spilling out onto the beach, illuminating small waves, lapping lacklustre on the white sand. No cars. “We’re right next to the customs office”. I looked around. How many ferry terminals could [...]

15 April 2016

Fay's story

12 Dec – 26 Dec

28 January 2016

Antigua and Monserrat

Antigua

09 January 2016

Windward Caribbean islands

Woken by a rooster crowing, the sounds of waves lapping on a beach and the intermittent whirring of the wind turbine. We've been cruising the Caribbean for a month now and still quite a few islands to visit.

Galicia

30 July 2015 | Galicia
Windy
A Coruña

After the epic Biscay crossing, of tempests, serpents and fishing boats we have a very friendly arrival to A Coruña (used to be La) and straight ashore for a beer, Liz is reluctant as the shower is more tempting after four days without. But, I prevail and we have our arrival cervesa, and then the shock............€2 each, wahoo!!

Back to the boat and a Canadian next door says, 'hey we saw you in Crosshaven'. Tis a small world!!

Went for a late wander and found a medieval fiesta going on in the old city. Mad stuff, even jousting knights and wenches selling sweets.

We stay six nights in A Coruña and what a wonderful time Galicia gave us, so like Ireland in many ways, easy going, friendly. It isn't touristy, not Costa del Sol tourist anyway, but plenty of Spaniards out and about. And an Aladdin's Cave chandler where he opens up during Siesta for us and puts his hands on what we need, immediately!

We head to Santiago de Compostela on the feast of St James (Galicia Day) July 25th, to see the end of the famous Camino walk and the relics of St James the apostle. We got the train rather than walk, so we better come back and do it properly some time. Or light a few candles;-). The queue to see St James was huge, I considered sneaking in the exit, but I though it's best to keep all the saints on our side. Whatever you do, go and see Santiago de Compostela before you die. We saw it at its best for sure, street party, pipes playing and revellers dancing.

Back at the marina we met a lovely family from the Yorkshire boat Delphinus next pontoon, sailing around the world no less, which turns into a hectic cruisers social scene, with a Belgian back from 5 years around the world, a solo French man back from the Atlantic Circuit, a Doc on his way around the Atlantic in the prettiest boat you have ever seen, friendly yanks on an enviable ocean cruiser, a retired couple with a bath and gifted children, culminating in an invite to the prestigious Real Club Nautico Coruña, where the beer is cheaper than the marina bar and they have a few Olympic gold medal winners. Royal Irish eat your heart out!!

So, off we go again, with a list of new friends and boats to look out for and promises of returned beers on the way south. I'm liking this cruising business!!

It turns out that when a Spanish weather man says 15 or 20 knots, he means 25 or 30!! A lively sail to our first Spanish Ria, big seas and big speeds, boat handled very well even if we were over canvassed. So I am very happy with her. If only we had remembered to close the top hatch properly, wet seats and a clean up beckons.

Pulled into Ria de Corme for a quick look and a re-group. Then out again after a tea and a pee and heading for Ria Camarinas. Spectacular coast line and a lovely down wind sail, Liz feeling the effects of the second glass of posh wine though!! Bleurgh!! The first mate and the weather brighten up as we sail past the intimidating, though welcoming sentry of the lighthouse on Cabo Villano and in to the Ria through the lively Boca Chica channel. Six gun salute as we anchor off the fish factory, ah no, they are scaring the seagulls.

We are now sitting on 40m of chain with the smell of pines off the hills, sipping Spanish wine and eating Spanish cheese, anchored off the tiny headland of 'Punta Fraga de Abajo', in Ria de Camarinas, it's about the size of the back haggart at home, but very nice. 'Very grand' I hear you say, you're right, tis grand!

What shall we do tomorrow?? Nothing?

By the way, a Ria is an estuary or bay!! There are about eight big ones on this corner of Galicia to visit.
Adios por ahora.
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Odyssey's Photos - Main
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Created 30 July 2015

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