Dale to Rudder's Boatyard ... eventually

Up early and off towards Milford Marina (who "wouldn't be busy" and who "didn't take bookings") but turned out to be "completely full".

 F6 and raining.

Neyland Marina was also "completely ....."

Rudders Boatyard "would definitely find us a mooring ".

And they did!

I love Rudders Boatyard. 

    Rudders Boatyard

Nice taxi to Travelodge. 

Very welcoming. 

All good now, after an alarming morning.

Thinking about alternative hobbies.

Newlyn to Dale

Having spent most of Monday worrying about the weather,  we decided to stop agonising and to leave for Wales on Tuesday, but only if the weather looked OK.

Most of the other yachties at Newlyn were convinced that setting off for Wales on Tuesday was a silly idea because it would be cold, dark and windy, with rain and fog (but not necessarily in that order).

There was however, a very nice man from Sweden,  sailing alone, who thought our plan was a good one. He would set off with us.

The forecast was E or SE  18-20 knots, maybe 22.

We got 24 knots off Land's End.

It was rather cold, but did not snow.

At about 2200, I went below, took off my wet weather gear, put on a third sweater, put my wet weather gear back on, and then went to bed.

Thanks to a good supply of Lidl's pork pies and a couple of Stugeron, plus 2 or 3 short sleeps, we endured.

We arrived safely in Dale Anchorage (Milford Haven) at 0830 and went to bed.

We lost  contact with Arn from Sweden soon after rounding Land's End.  He could see us (on AIS) but we couldn't see him (as his AIS didn't transmit). Rather like having a towel over your head when avoiding the gaze of the Ravenous Bloodbatter Beast of Trall (perhaps?).

We hope he's OK. 

    Dale anchorage. 

Newlyn again

We went for a run and then enjoyed hot showers. 

It did not rain.

The shore power works.

The nav lights work.

I mended the leach cleats.

We walked halfway to Mousehole.

We like Newlyn. 

                Newlyn

Newlyn to nowhere

Today, remarkably, it actually wetter outside than inside the boat.

It's raining. 

A lot.

Who's worried about rain? 

Me.

Later tonight the wind will turn and become a northerly. 

Getting soaked then having to motor against an, albeit light, headwind for 12 hours  doesn't appeal.

We will keep warm in Newlyn for now.

   Jean cooking and keeping warm. 

Penzance to Newlyn

Leaky bottom fixed and a good night's sleep, now for another day off in PZ.

I started the day mopping out the bilges. Last time I did this I was encouraged to find an assortment of beer bottles under the floorboards generally near to where Tim had been sleeping. Alas, this time, no beer just water. 

Anyway, soon we were off on foot to Newlyn for cleats with which to tension the line wot tensions our leach (leach line?), thence to coffee at the thermal baths (30-35 degrees C), then  back to the boat. 

If you stick 12 volts up a wire, why does only 8 volts come out the other end?  Anyway, we have some battery backup nav lights, so it will be fine.

Next, over to Newlyn to catch the early morning (1030 hrs) tide to Dale (Milford Haven), tomorrow. 

        Newlyn

Penzance Harbour

Penzance to Penzance

A day off in Penzance.

I was much relaxed after 12 hours sleep. 

We walked to Lidl and replenished the ship's larder.

After lunch I failed fix our "Nav lights". It's good to be visible at night at sea, but we have another day here before we set off for Milton Haven, so still time to make them work.

Rather more alarming was finding three inches of water under the floorboards....  we were leaking, but from where? On balance, I decided that the water tasted mote like seawater, than sewage and not like rainwater at all (but it's difficult to be sure these days). Anyway, we eventually traced the source of the ingress to the "prop shaft seal", which I have now adjusted.  So hopefully we will not be sinking tomorrow after all.

Fowey to Penzance

Had an easy  downwind sail to the Lizard. Got a bit windy from there to Penzance. Three reefs and almost no jib. Gusted 37 knots outside the very lovely marina.

Now nicely moored.

Tea and flapjacks. 

Will have a day off tomorrow. 

Dartmouth to Fowey

A good first day.

Saw dolphins and lots of seabirds. 

We were visited by an exhausted Chiffchaff.  It sat quietly next to a winch for twenty minutes,  eyes half shut and not interested in ham, lettuce or water. Staggered around a bit and eventually found and ate a dead housefly. A few minutes later he/she was new bird, rushing around the boat, inside and out and making short flights away from the boat. Eventually she left and hopefully made it the five miles or so to the Cornish coast.

The Summer Cruise 2023

Some last shopping then down to Stoke Gabriel Pontoon, epropulsion in our trusty rubber dinghy down to Noss. Unpacked, supper, now ready for tomorrow's voyage to Fowey.

Dartmouth to Dartmouth

Spring shakedown