Welcome to Operation Pastel de Nata. The third and final annual instalment of our epic adventure where we move out boat, Scarlet, to Portugal. The first phase 2 years ago was Operation Oui Oui Baguette where we moved from Gosport in the Solent to Quiberon in France. We had hoped to make it to La Rochelle but we had an engine fire at Quiberon and overwintered there to make repairs.

Then last year we departed Quiberon in Operation Churro and went via La Rochelle and Hendaye before crossing into Spain before making our way to Bilbao. We had wanted to go further but all of us had the inconvenience of being diagnosed with ADHD and having to titrate stimulant medication and so we set off very late in the season, and the Biscay weather turned.

Now we depart Bilbao and head west. Today’s goal is a short hop to Laredo where we will shelter from a local weather phenomenon for a few hours before setting off in the dark for Gijon. We hope to make A Coruña next week and then have a bit of a breather before returning and heading for the Portuguese border. That part is a race against time before the Iberian orcas migrate north and make the Rias of Galicia too dangerous to pass until next year.

If we can get to Vigo before the orcas arrive (July ish, maybe), then we should be good. Otherwise we are stuck until next year.

This is your crew, Sarah, Zoe and Jess signing off. Wish us luck!

Hope we don’t get eaten by orcas.