Brest and across Biscay

Here’s the latest update from the cruising log of Tapatya, after the last entry saw us anchored in Roscanvel, Brest, France.

We had been pushing fairly hard to get to Brest and there was indeed a good reason for that. We hoped to meet our good friends Mo and Drake from the sailing vessel Paragon there. So, after a day of rest and recuperation at anchor, we headed out to rendezvous with them mid-bay and continue on to the beautiful anchorage in Anse de l’Auberlach, where we dropped the hook and stayed for some 6 days, going ashore and generally hanging out with the guys from Paragon. 
But, as is the nature of these things, it became time for both vessels and crews to see about moving on - Paragon, north back to the UK (Falmouth), and us to prepare to cross Biscay. We said our goodbyes in Brest marina as Paragon headed out in some testing conditions and, after a night at anchor off Roscanvel again, we left Brest bay and began to progress along the southern Brittany coast to choose a point from which to start our Biscay crossing and enjoy the beautiful scenery that Brittany has to offer.
We spent a few days holed up in the Port de Morgat, waiting for suitable weather to pass through the Ras de Seine ( which was very kindly when we transited it) and on through the night to the harbour on the Isle de Groix. We decided this was the spot from which we’d cross Biscay, with our chosen destination being Gijon in northern Spain. We did a bit of provisioning and filled the diesel tank and a couple of days later sailed west along the north coast of the island and then turned onto a heading of 201 degrees for the 265 mile crossing to Gijon. 
Our weather window was a gentle one; we motored most of the first day, but come morning, the breeze began filling in and after a bit of motor sailing, we were finally able to switch the thumper off and enjoy the peace. It was basically empty out there. In our roughly 78 hour crossing, we saw maybe 3 ships and 4 fishing vessels and absolutely no other sail boats until we were sailing into Gijon. There were plenty of dolphins, hunting on the continental shelves or playing around our bows, and a few gannets, and that really was about it. Around 10pm on our last night, a big lightning storm started off our starboard side. I slowed us down and watched it for a good 45 minutes, trying to make sure I knew which direction it was moving, and then, when I was sure, we turned slightly to port and managed to successfully avoid it.
We had a good stiff breeze on the beam as we sailed into the harbour at Gijon and I hand steered us in with big smiles on our faces as we made our way in to tie up, step ashore and go for a beer in Spain.