The Biscay Triangle has been beset with grotty weather so far this year. But that has not deterred the participants from having a good time. On Tuesday 21st, when they set off, the majority of the fleet headed for Plymouth, instead of attempting to get to Northern Spain. A few yachts had arrived late at Torquay, delayed by the strong south-westerly winds. So Sea Fox, Sparkling Spirit, Makathea and Andromeda stayed put. We hope they will meet up again soon.

Manita and Vertigo had been delayed en route, but Vertigo made it to Torquay just in time to leave again! Manita paused at Dartmouth, and joined the fleet at Queen Anne’s Battery in Plymouth Sound. Saltwhistle III has ploughed a lonely furrow to the Channel Islands and we hope to see them in Brittany soon. Little Wing and Fidelius decided enough was enough and set off to do their own thing more down wind than the intended rally route.

This morning the fleet set sail again for Benodet. There is a brief respite in the winds before they turn back into the south again. Miss Tippy (en route to join our next round-the-world rally) and Solway Mist are going to head down to La Coruna. We wish them the very best of weather and an enjoyable sail.

The rapid and drastic changes to plans have kept the support team on their toes. Tony Diment agreed to go to Plymouth from Torquay and I stood down and headed home. Half way (by road) to the Isle of Wight, Tony called to say the only early ferry he could get to France was the next day. So my wife, “Boot” (the new BWR Secretary) turned hard left to Axminster and put me on the next train to Plymouth. Keeping Spanish options open until the last minute, Tony finally took a ferry, via Guernsey, to St Malo, very early on Thursday morning. The Benodet-bound fleet should soon be enjoying the joys of Southern Brittany, where Tony and Christine await their arrival. We wish them all Bon Voyage!