Explore Sailing Voyages in United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Planned on spending two nights at the UNESCO world heritage site of Charleston Harbour. Went ashore in the tender to find that the tall ship’s renovation museum closed eighteen months ago and there was only one small uninspiring cutter on the quay and the remnants of another under it. Moving on to an anchorage near Portloe after one night.

Went in search of an anchorage further down the coast. Another fine sail down to Dorman point but wind on the nose and building thereafter so on with the engine to get to the shelter. Tucked right in under the headland to shelter from the F4 SW in Parc Caragloose Cove south of Portloe.

A period of strong winds are forecast so heading to Falmouth for a few days refuge. Left the anchorage with a 1st reef in because of the squally forecast. Shook the reef out off St Anthony’s head and sailed right into Falmouth watching some cutters race around black rock. Incorrect reefing set up ripped part of the bolt rope away from the foot of the sail. Great day’s sail though. Very cold.

Eight days in Falmouth waiting for the weather to break. Plenty of opportunity to fix: - leak in engineer water cooling - ripped bolt rope on foot of sail - Flooded bilge (at 11pm) from probable leaky water tank - battens to correct length - fender board for later harbours - new mount and arm extension on AutoTom which now functions properly Plus a trip into Penryn and day in Falmouth. Pendennis Castle was a surprise treat but disappointed that Gyllyngvase Beach Cafe no longer does mackerel baps. Made up by suprise find of Gyllyngdune Gardens and a cream tea at the castle. Sail over in gusty force 4/5. Used second reef which made it very manageable. Job reefed to first tell tale. Knocking on the door of 6th most of the way. Mirrored into head wind up river. Today’s neighbour of note is Yacht Rock and Roll.

The morning started out bright and sunny with a lovely SW 3-5 wind. Needed to beat into wind until I passed the OA off Islay but could then lay a course to west of the TSS. at that point the wind died and the heavens opened . Rathlin island popping in and out of the mist. Torrential rain followed by hail on the approach to Ballycastle and a rainbow off Fair Head. Big seas due to the Atlantic swell and strong tides at this choke point. Now changed out into dry clothes and cooking supper. I'm here for a couple of days until the wind turns west.

What started as a Force 4 quickly developed into a lively Force 6. By the end of the passage, waves were sweeping right over HALO, making for a challenging crossing that demanded full attention from the crew every minute of the way.