It’s not a challenge!

My primary objective on this trip was to enjoy a voyage to Ireland. It was not intended as a challenge and I was certain I was not going to push myself. As a 73 year old who came late to sailing I was keen to stay within my comfort zone.

Well that nearly worked! The first leg to Salcombe started out almost ok. A bit of rain and a brisk wind at a difficult wind angle but we were sailing (I had Aidan as crew with me at this stage) and sailing fast. That was until just off Dartmouth when a thunderstorm passed right overhead. Winds hit gale force (38knots or 44 mph) briefly. We stowed a handheld vhf and mobile phones in the cooker (aka a Faraday cage!) as a precaution against a lightening strike.

Amazingly the boats autohelm held the course throughout this episode and, with just one reef in the mainsail and Genoa, Thalmia dug in and came through. Aidan and I also came through – shaken AND stirred!

We passed the headland of Start Point well offshore to avoid the overfalls – these are rough seas caused especially when there is wind over tide (which we had) and where the currents are squeezed around the headlands. Off shore was manageable.

We arrived in Salcombe having averaged 5.6 knts! We picked up a visitors mooring off the town and drank a well earned beer before dinner and sleep!

An early departure was called for to best exploit favourable currents to Falmouth. What could go wrong?

A lot! Fresh winds – not gale force thankfully but again not quite the direction that had been forecast which meant sailing very close to the wind direction (they say gentlemen don’t sail to windward and with good reason!). We managed some very fast sailing just off the wind even well reefed down but then some motor sailing almost directly into the wind to get back on track. Thalmia was crashing into the waves coming towards us – not massive waves but a short choppy pattern that slowed us down. We took lots of sea water over the bow. So much so that it dislodged an anchor security fitting which required a crawl to the bow in crashing waves. I got wet! What I didn’t notice was a rubber bung, which stops rain water or sea water getting into the boat via the anchor chain locker, had become dislodged. The consequence was lots of sea water flushing in and the bilges filling up. It is a serious design flaw with this boat. Oh and a panel in the spray hood blew out! All in all not the most enjoyable passage. Did I mention that this was not supposed to be a challenge? However, we still got safely into Falmouth – again making a good time, with an average speed of 5.3knts.

After berthing at Falmouth Yacht Haven we rewarded ourselves with Fish and Chips and mushy peas at the Harbour Lights Cafe. They make a big claim of being the UK’s number one F&C restaurant – they really are good though!

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Now Thalmia and I are paused. The forecasts for the intended days of crossing to Ireland were not good and discretion prevailed! The difficult wind direction and strength continues through this week.
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It’s not a challenge I keep reminding myself – this is meant to be fun! So time to mop out the bilges, get the spray hood repaired, recharge the batteries (me more than the boat!) and wait for a good weather window. My valued crew Aidan slipped home temporarily (hopefully); Ruth came to spend a couple of days with me which has provided a lovely break and Aidan and I hope to move on soon. I’m watching the forecasts eagerly!