We set off from Helford on Wednesday Heading for Newlyn. Once out the River we turned and set course for the Lizard. The area was littered with crab and lobster pot markers, so I really needed to concentrate on where I was going, and writing the update would have been a distraction. The breeze meant we were sailing nicely. The closer we got to the Lizard the rougher it got and typing an update became impossible. It was a great sail if, if a little lumpy with a number of waves over the deck. One finding it way through the rope guides under the pry hood before dumping partly into the open hatch and the rest in my lap. We sailed on seeing St Michaels mount before spending the night at Newlyn.
Thursday we set of at 05.00, but delayed for about 15 mins while Penlee lifeboat escorted a casualty large twin masted Wooden sailing boat into the harbour. Again leaving harbour there were lots of pot markers. A large trawler left the harbour just after us and on the same course stuck closely behind us. I was certainly expecting him to over take, but just matched our speed. I found it a little unnerving having a large vessel about 50m behind me and could concentrate on writing. He stayed there until I slowed down a little as I was pulling away from the others. The closer we got to Lands End, the rougher it got. Our timing to arrive at Padstow around High Water meant we were battling wind and tide for some time and progress was slow. We pushed on arriving at Padstow about an hour before HW. It had been rough as we entered Padstow bay, but calmed down completely as we reached the Doom bar and we entered the approach in flat water, with loads under the keel. It was great to be welcomed by Alister and his partner who are also doing this same circumnavigation from Erith YC, and had been following our progress.
Friday tied up along side the wall we felt part of the tourist attraction. It turned out to be a busy day doing jobs on the boat, a bit of laundry! Some shopping and working on my tender outboard that wouldn’t start after getting a drenching going around the Lizard. Eventually got it going and not totally sure why it wouldn’t start, but also found the pull cord was quite worn, so took the opportunity to replace that. It turned out to one of those jobs you wish you had never started. Still it’s all fixed now.
Today we are on our way to Milford Haven, so have a long day ahead of us.
I will add more photos later.