As I told you in the last post, I started at Ambrym without any idea what I was doing.
So from August to December last year, I learnt so so much! But this winter, after a break of a couple of months, and as I had quite a lot of spare time until we were allowed to get back too Greece, I started thinking about this. How I wanted to keep learning and how much I missed it.
And I realised that all that I know I have learnt it onboard Ambrym. It would be so good for me to learn something different. Another boat (a more "normal" boat), in the Atlantic Sea (different from the Mediterranean), in Spanish (so I could have a conversation about sailing in my mother tongue!) and from a different teacher, which is definitely always a good idea.
I starting checking options, and after forgetting about getting the sailing license in Spain, I decided to go for a more practical training and experience. And this is how I contacted Unai Basurko and Pakea. It came randomly when I saw a post on Instagram for sailing during Easter Holidays. I asked for more info, without even knowing who he was, and after 2 minutes on the phone, I knew I wanted to join. They usually go out 3 times a week sailing around the El Abra bay so I joined them for an afternoon some weeks ago, to get to know them and the boat. And I came back home so happy and excited, I needed more!
So that's how I spent 5 days during Easter Holidays sailing along the Basque coast. Discovering my country but from a new perspective that I hadn't seen before.
Sailing a North Wind 40 is so different from sailing Ambrym. I am used to our heavy and comfortably set up fat boat. Because of her weight, it's difficult to feel how the slightest changes in sail settings, course, weight, waves... affect the sailing, so that's something that I had to learn in a different boat.
Also because of being normally short-handed (and "short-experienced"!), we haven't been able to get the best from Ambrym. Although I have learnt so much during the summer, it was obviously not enough. I needed more sailing experience and some proper learning too!
The trip started in Getxo and we went directly onto my first night-sail ever. I was so excited about it. It was also something that I needed to try and learn. It scared me and motivated me at the same time, and I loved it! We sailed all the way to Hondarribia, on the Frech border.
And from there on, every single minute from the trip was an intense learning experience. From teamwork, to new words, from proper rope handling to wind reading, sail adjusting, telltails reading...
With the 2 boats sailing together, Pakea and Pottoka, we visited some of the nicest harbours in the area: Pasaia, San Sebastian, Mutriku and Elantxobe. We enjoyed nice weather, fair but strong winds, not too big waves and no rain.
Unai is such an experienced sailor and a good teacher, and the rest of the crew were a pleasure to sail with too. So happy for having learnt so much in 5 days, and also extremely grateful for being out again, on adventures, and this time in my own country.
Now I'm looking forward to being on the water again and of course, keep learning!!
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