Date Filed |
06/06/2016 |
|
Bantry, |
||
Lat/Long |
51° 41’ N |
9° 28’ W |
Content complete to – (Date |
Place) |
Tresco, Isles of |
25/05/2016 |
Sun 15th May.
An early departure (5.20 am) from the
A lazy afternoon people & wildlife watching. At twilight Doug glimpsed an otter, but almost immediately it departed, as a powerboat roared up river. You may guess our thoughts!
Mon 16th May. Another early departure (only 7 am!) down a very quiet river – very beautiful in the early morning sun. Quite a few gannets as we rounded Start Point, then motoring switched to sailing close hauled, with a variable shifty wind. Late morning a Turnstone came aboard for a photo shoot.
It parked on the anchor at the bow, & we wondered if it was attracted by the large piece of seaweed that was hooked in the anchor! Lunchtime we picked up a mooring in the river Yealm. 32.9 nm.
Took the dinghy to the pub at Noss Mayo for lunch, then across to the shop at Newton Ferrers. Drama as I stepped out of the dinghy to pull her ashore & my wellies leaked! A fine still evening followed.
Tued 17th May. A relaxed departure from mooring, motoring in drizzle. Out over the bar 10 mins later, visibility v poor so motoring, one other yacht on same route. Late morning into Plymouth Sound & straight through lock into Sutton Yacht Harbour Marina, 7.3nm.
We are pleased to say Sutton Y.H. have now dropped their high season double rate, which caused upset & complaints from their berth holders, staff & transients (incl ourselves). They are again a nice marina to use.
So some chores, laundry, shopping & start a wellie hunt.
Next day we walked east on the coast path & on our return captured the wellies!
Thurs (19th May) finaI provisioning run. In the afternoon we went on a guided tour of the Royal Citadel on Plymouth Hoe. We have never got the timing right before as it is the home to 29 Commando Regiment & one can only visit via a guided tour which are limited to 2 afternoons a week during the summer. It was murky, making the sea views from the ramparts a bit grey, but very interesting to see all the history in a working barracks! Lots of cannons, a small ‘Royal’ church. & our tour were amused to see troops on fatigues running round the circumference of this fairly large area.
That evening we found ‘Platters’, a very nice fish shop, lots of variety on the menu, on the Barbican front. We were impressed when the owner allowed a group of foreign students complete with fish & chips from next door to shelter from the rain (the murk had become rain). Very nice of him. We waited for a gap in the showers to head back.
Fri 20th May.
A 7 am start with the lock on free flow so only had to get the bridge
raised. Motoring, wind light &
astern. Later wind went more southerly,
the main helped, so motor sailed. Just
after 10 am we were joined by 2, sometimes 3 dolphins. They stayed an amazing 20 mins, jumping,
diving & riding the bow wave. Lucky
us. Half an hour later wind increased
enough to unfurl the genny & sail, & this stayed til
This marina has a drying cill splitting it in two. Being of deeper draft we were in the outer deeper half, it also meant a long walk (I estimated ¼ ml each way) to the shore & facilities. Also rain started & persisted as showers during our stay.
Next day (21st May) took advantage of being north
of
Walked back from Penrhyn then supper in the marina restaurant.
Sun 22nd May. A relaxed sail, just the genny unfurled, round to the Helford river. Picked up mooring off Bosahan Point. 7.5 nm.
Lazy afternoon boat & people watching.
Mon 23rd May.
A prompt start (just before 8 am) motoring.
Tues (24th May) took the dinghy ashore (Tresco)
& went round the
Lunch at the New Inn, then a walk round the western end of Tresco taking in King Charles’s Castle, in ruins on top of a hill, then Cromwell’s Castle, down on the shore & well preserved. Finally along the coast path back to the dinghy & boat.
Wed (25th May) to Bryher. Walked the eastern end of the island’s coast path, wild & rocky, round to Hell’s Bay, then up Gweal Hill for a good viewpoint all round.
Carried on across the island to the Fraggle Rock café (sustenance) & thence to dinghy & boat. A French boat had picked up the adjacent mooring in our absence, they had fished en route & kindly offered us some. So Pollack for supper – thank you Forzh-Relec’h. Plus racing by the local gigs to entertain us. Thursday morning a quick trip to the Tresco shop, some other chores & a dinghy to stow, before departing.