We made it!

Finally a fair forecast encouraged us to depart. Aidan arrived after Ruth departed and we set off for Newlyn.

We anchored overnight outside Newlyn harbour which I have frequently used before a departure to Scilly. The harbour welcomes visiting yachts but is primarily a fishing harbour and very busy early morning and you can be disturbed by boats leaving. Numerous lobster pot buoys limited our space to anchor outside but we had a calm night.

Then at 7am we made a start round Lands End and, staying east of the Traffic Separation Scheme, we motor sailed north before bearing away and switching the motor off for a fast sail towards Ireland. As we progressed it became necessary to use the motor again which allows us to make good progress closer to the wind than we can sail. Thalmia and her motor performed well as did the auto helm which held our course to the wind without the need to manually adjust the tiller.

It was a faster passage than in my plan but it still took 29 hours with just 6 of those in total darkness. Aidan and I took turns to get 3 hours rest/ sleep each. Spotting fishing boats and cargo ships at night is a challenge even with my AIS (Automatic Identification System) which shows the boats on my chart plotter – and tells them I’m there so we can avoid a collision! Aidan even spotted a boat towing another vessel – you need to understand the light configuration on boats to know what’s what!

We arrived in Cork harbour around midday on Sunday. We were dog tired but pleased with our 5.6knts average speed port to port.

We berthed at the Royal Cork Yacht Club – the oldest yacht club in the world! Starcross Yacht Club believes itself to be the second oldest! Well our claim has never been challenged!

A drop of black stuff was well deserved!

So this year’s adventure has begun. let’s see how it pans out. The weather will be key. I’m just chuffed to be here in this wonderful cruising area.

I’ll post some updates in the days and weeks to come.