Paul Morris

East 4/6 Blue Sky Pulled anchor at 0900 and motored out of the river. Put the Genoa up on the way out and then the main with two reefs in once over the bar. The wind was 8 and then 18 Knots, so furled the Genoa to 100% fore triangle. Sailed as far as Prawle Point and then the change in course had us to close so had to put the engine back on. Genoa started backing closer to Start Point, so furled it in. Went right into Start Point supposedly on the turn of the tide, but prior to reaching it the tide had turned, or it was a back eddy. So it was wind (increased to 20-25 knots) against a 2.5 knot tide. About 1/2 mile of 3-4 metre waves very close together until past the point. Not for the faint hearted, sorry Zoe. Quite a swell in Start Bay as well once we were about half way along. It was nice and sunny though 😁 Took a V bout at Stoke Gabriel. Planning to watch England in the World Cup at the pub. Then move up to Bow Creek tomorrow to go to the Maltsters Arms in the tender.

S1/2 veering East2/3, hot Motored out of Sutton Harbour with Elvis and Janet, on route to Salcombe. Head to wind until past the outer wall, then managed to sail for a short while. Wind dropped after about 30 minutes, and then motor sailed the rest of the way. Anchored in Frogmore Creek and went for a swim. Plan to stop here two nights before going up the river Dart to Stoke Gabriel.

S4, Poor vis Left Looe at 0800 so we would arrive at Sutton Harbour with the lock gate still on free flow. Still bad visibility, about 200 metres.

Left Geoff the seagull in Fowey. He decided not to tag along. Fog with viability down to 50 metres at first, probably went up to 200 metres occasionally, but never saw land or Looe Island and we tack around the cardinal. The entrance appeared out of the gloom, at about 100 metres distance. Moored fairly easily, but still a strong flood, even only 90 minutes before HW.

West 2, Slight fog. Rocky night in Polkerris. Wind turned onshore about 0900, so left and sailed gently to Fowey. Sailed through the harbour on the Genoa, and lost the wind, just past the Bodnick car ferry. Motored up past all the moorings, but ran out of water. Low water. So anchored, waiting for tide. Will either carry on or go back to Fowey to collect the new batteries, that should be delivered to the Harbour Masters Office. Then may carryon to Looe. HW there 1840.

East 2-4, Sunny. Gentle sail round St Austell Bay, seeing what the swell was like at the bays around Charlestown with a small onshore breeze. There wasn’t too much swell, but would have been a mistake with the wind later picking up. (Not forecast). Then tacked to Polkerris on the other side. Quite strong winds on the way, but calmer when inside the shelter of the land. One reef and three rolls on the headsail. Undecided whether to stay, with the odd gusts and occasional swell. Anchored in 3.7 m with 2.2m of tide and LW 0.8 = 2.2 m. Lifted the keel half way, anyway, but knocking in the swell.

Weather SW4, overcast Left St Mawes at 0940 motoring. Put the Genoa up as soon as we were off the wind enough. Motored all the way as batteries were very low due to the overcast conditions the past few days, ( It’s supposed to be summer!). Main up with 2 reefs as it previously was, before Dodmans Point, to steady the boat with a following sea. Kept tight inshore and went into Gorran Haven, to have a look. Worth anchoring there with the right conditions. Furled the Genoa then, so the ridiculous amount of pot buoys were easier to spot. ( best to stay well out ). Wind picked up just before entry, but calmer inside and the right direction to keep us off the rocks. Visitors buoys have small strops on which made life easier. (I was worried about Zoe being able to hold on, but she was okay. Photo of Ship at anchor off Gull Rock. I thought it was on a rock at first at 2.7CD, but that was further along.

Set off a 5am motoring with two reefs in the main and 90% Genoa, as close to the wind to keep sails full. A bit lumpy with the swell coming from the leeward side from last night’s wind direction. Stayed tight to Dodmans Point which was rough for a while, but made for a shorter route. Headed a bit more after, but slowly managed to tighten the course to make Falmouth. Wind gusting up to 25 knots for the last two miles before heading into the Fal. Berthed in Falmouth Haven with the assistance of Malcolm and Tim. Not a great welcome from the people we rafted to, but moved back behind them when there was a space available, and Tim came along side us. Justice was served when three blokes (probably live aboards) on an old wooden boat with an eight foot bowsprit and two fenders?, took our place.