After failing once, we were more determined than ever to reach our goal of San Simeon from Carmel. Finally we could get out of the cold fog that had been following us down the coast. Today, the wind (what little there was to speak of) was at least going our way. Although filling the sails was a big ask for a breeze that probably would struggle to blow out the candles on a 3 year old's birthday cake. It didn't matter with the pig turning (“engine on” in Mike speak) and the sails up we were at least on our way. An enjoyable sail it was not though as the fog was in for the duration. Had it not been for the compass and GPS we could have been driving in circles and we'd have never known. No views of the Big Sur coast line to tempt us down South – ho hum!
The journey was as uneventful as it was long and having left at first light we realised than we'd be getting in after dark! Not only that but if anything the fog was thickening and San Simeon bay was only lit by one small green buoy that flashed every 6 seconds. To each side jagged rocks (and expensive repairs). Getting into the safety of the bay and anchoring was to be a nerve racking half hour. On our approach the fog gave us less than a quarter of a mile visibility so we were virtually on top of the buoy by the time we saw it. Not being able to see anything beyond it was very disconcerting as we had to trust the charts and Mike's navigation to guide us into the bay and not a big rock. Turning North about 200m after the buoy we continued forward and could see very faint lights – the pier! Inching our way forward we found our spot in about 5 fathoms and dropped the pick. Job well done. With enough chain out to hold the Titanic the Indian Summer crew breathed a sigh of relief and had a well deserved night's sleep.
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