Last day on Tresco before we head back East, going to see if we can get a look at the start of the Golden Globe 50th Anniversary at Falmouth.
Weather is not looking good ahead with Storm Hector approaching, time to leave our new best sailing destination.
Thanks for the hospitality IOS, we’re your latest members of the Scilly fan club, see you again soon.
Next voyage TBC
We made a timely move to New Grimsby Sound, between Tresco and Bryer. This was due to a forecast of BFT F5-6 from the North which had potential for an uncomfortable anchorage at St Helens Pool.
We motored the short distance at HW to be able to cross the Tresco Flats which dried at low water.
On entering the Sound we searched for a suitable anchorage as it was pretty busy, with all buoys taken and little room for a couple of fat bottomed deep draft cruisers.
Once we had secured the ground tackle we sat back to enjoy the tremendous vista, Bryer to the South and Tresco to the North.
Deciding to take a closer look at Tresco the dinghys we’re launched.
At the risk of repeating myself if you have never been, the IOS must be on your bucket list, an absolutely incredible location just off the end of Cornwall.
This blogger is sat below deck listening to the creaking and groaning of MBS as she competes with gust of 25 knots blasting down the New Grimsby Sound. Just seen LW pass with just 50cm to spare under the keel, may have to relocate to deeper water in the morning as Springs get a day closer.
Not sure we’ll get much sleep, have to take the rough with the smooth when sailing, all part of the experience.
Another day another Island, welcome to St Helens Pool
After a dull crossing we were welcomed to Hugh Town with sunshine and a sheltered anchorage, as all Moore g buoys we’re taken.
That pretty much set tone for visit to the Isles, as we sought out the best bays to drop the hook.
Not going to rattle on about how beautiful the Isles of Scilly are, I’ll let the pictures tell the story and you make up your own mind. But I think it’s one of the most stunning places we’ve visited, and definitely recommended.
First few days we stayed in Hugh Town, St Marys, then crossed over to St Helens for shelter from a forecast NNE 20 knots.
A bit like our visit to Jersey a few years back, we were treated to a sporting event, a swim / run biathlon, part of a World Series. Total distance 37km.
Last night before we move across to St Helens
A dull day with not much wind, and what there was ENE F2, so the motor was on for the first third.
After leaving Land End the wind increased F3 so the sail were out for about an hour, Sue missed this bit as she had gone to the office to catch up.
Mid Channel as we passed the TSS the wind died again, so sail back in bag and motored the rest of way to St Marys.
We left Falmouth with a BFT 3-4 E, increasing F5 at times, and with a broad reach heading further West both boats made good speed.
The passage to Newlyn was about 30 miles, but we made sure of a clean sweep around The Lizard increasing the journey to 35 miles, best to be safe than sorry.
Entering Mounts Bay we prepped for our arrival at Newlyn Harbour. Calling the HM on VHF 12 we requested a berth for the night. His response was, how many people and did we have animals? The look on Taffs face when he said we weren’t welcome with dogs! Advised to pick up a buoy outside Penzance until 22.00h when lock gate would open, but with a strong Easterly it was going to be a rough wait, not interested!
Plan B, looking across the bay we noticed St Michaels Mount, that must give some shelter, so decision made and Mr Blue Sky left Hendrix to Newlyn, and headed off in search of a comfortable anchorage for the night.
Turned out to be a good choice, as our spot was like a mill pond. We took the tender ashore for Fish and Chips, and walked Jim & Taff on Mounts Bay Beach.
Wind started to blow again about 20.00h, but no matter our ground tackle had dug in well and we were in for a peaceful night.
I wonder what Hendrix is doing? Good night Bob & Lisa, sleep tight off to Scilly tomorrow morning, 09.00h for another 35 mile passage, and another anchorage.
Time to set sail west if we are to reach the furthest point on the British Isles, as we steamed out of Fowey Sue took one last glance at Dawns seaside home, “we’ll be back” she said such a beautiful harbour.
The passage West toward our next port of call, Falmouth, was a gentle affair with just 5-7 knots behind the port beam. So Mr Blue Sky flew the kite to make the most of every breath, Hendrix too lazy stayed under white cloth alone.
On rounding St Anthony Head Falmouth and the huge natural harbour revealed itself, a welcome sight to many a weary sailor arriving from an Atlantic passage. For us it was just a 20 mile drift.
Sue soon forgot about Fowey, as we entered the Falmouth Yacht Haven, as her childhood memories came flooding back with the holiday home she stayed at as a child stared out to sea at her, such great times.
After rafting up once more, we strolled off into the town to shop for provisions ready for The Isles of Scilly. Although we think we’ll detour to Newlyn en route, as the forecast is for squally showers, and don’t fancy a 12 hr passage in that.
Mackerel sky and mares tales over Falmouth, could spell trouble according to the old sea dogs.
We set off on a broad reach F3 E, rounded the breakwater out of Plymouth Sound and headed west toward the real West Country of Cornwall.
A pretty uneventful passage with variable wind that veered from E – SW, so the iron sail was on – off, with occasional gust that saw good turn of speed.
Passing various Cornish harbours en route, Polpero where we spent a few days in early eighties, the last fisherman’s cottage going out to sea on RHS, “Willy Wilcox”
Our next stop was to be Fowey, and as we approached the hidden estuary, the red and white Day Mark guided us in, where another breathtaking English working port revealed its self, possibly even more idealic than Dartmouth!
Hendrix & Mr Blue Sky rafted up on town pontoon with the guidance of a very helpful Harbour Contoler (VHF 12) and we spent a couple of pleasant days exploring the town.
The streets of Fowey are very narrow, shared by vehicles and tourists, not sure it will end well.
Sue was on the end of a precision bombing exercise from one of the locals, good shot sir!
Next stop Falmouth, where we intend to launch for the Isles of Scilly, as long as the weather holds.
Even as we set off a destination had not been agreed, the Yealm certainly appealed to all but with the forecast uncertain, Plymouth would probably get the vote.
The passage out of Salcombe began with a strong breeze of BFT F3-4 NE, so we made good way on a broad reach. However the further we progressed across Bigbury Bay, the wind backed N and dropped F2-3.
Not all was well on Hendrix, they may have packed a little heavy and were suffering the consequences, the fat bottomed Oceanis was struggling to keep pace with lighter yachts that slipped past.
The 20 mile passage behind us, time to take a look around.
So Plymouth won the vote, we turned into The Sound and approached Queen Anne Battery, with the Ho and Barbican in the background. A Port we had visited earlier in the year, so our interest was more on the next stop, Fowey, than the historic naval city.
Next stop Fowey
One week since the Wheelers first wedding of the year, and we’re back onboard Mr Blue Sky & Hendrix respectively. Plan A was to set sail for Brittany destination l’Aber Wrach, but like all good plans it was due to change.
The day of departure however was pretty glorious, so Sue took full advantage and headed out to Berry Head to survey the passage west.
In an unusual twist the forecast for SW England was superior to the French coast, so a plan B was devised, new destination The Isles of Scilly, Brittany will have to wait.
First stop Salcombe for a night on a swing mooring in The Bag. We had a good close haul with tide making 6kts with just a BFT F2 SW. As we approached Start Point the wind dropped and the iron sail was deployed to help us round, an hour later we were tied up on a buoy. Time for the first J&T of the sailing season.
Next stop could be the River Yealm, but with thunder storms now in the forecast we may head to the safety of QAB Marina, Plymouth.
mrblueskysite 