6th September 2007, Variable 0-3, Sunny, 24CFor our last day we had the river Fal and 2 creeks to explore. The river Fal, which surprisingly doesn’t go past or to Falmouth, mostly dries at low tide, The upper reaches are only under water for a couple of hours. Here was a bird lovers paradise and we sat watching and listening to all the activity for approx half an hour. At lunch we visited the Smugglers Cove at Tolverne for a most enjoyable meal overlooking the river. It was from here that half the American troops embarked on 13 LST craft to go to Omaha beach as part of the D Day landings. This was commemorated with various memorabilia including the US flag. After lunch we explored the 2 creeks to the West of Tolverne, before sailing back to Mylor in a sunny force 3 and warm 24C.
Distance Travelled 16.9 miles – Trip Time 6hr 51m – Max Speed 8.0mph (under motor)
Total distance travelled in the week 243 miles.
Less wind today so we did quite a lot of motoring. Explored up the Helford river all the way to Gweek. The Helford river really is an outstandingly attractive place, never crowed up stream, and teeming with bird life. Challenging navigationally however, as what channel there is is pretty narrow and dries out at low tide. Passed a yacht near Gweek that had become stuck on the mud. We also explored Polwheveral creek which starts half a mile upstream from Helford. Had lunch in the very fine Shipwright Arms at Helford again.
Distance Travelled 27.3 miles – Trip Time 5hr 24m – Max Speed 11.7mph (under motor)
Departed at 8.40am to explore up the Carrick Roads and it’s various creeks and rivers. The first creek we sailing into was the Tresillion which starts at Malpas, a pretty village perched upon a hillside overlooking the Truro river. The Tresillion is 3 miles long and dries out at low tide. The high rocky banks were covered by the familiar dense covering of trees, and full of wildlife in a peaceful and tranquil setting. Having reached the end we ran back before the wind enjoying the sun. We passed through Malpas causing some amusement to fellow sailors due to the amount of clothing dangling from the boom and the men in their Speedos! We continued up the Truro river into Truro itself. This was more of a town with Tescos and Halfords nearby, and busy office workers on their lunchtime break. There was nowhere to moor and we returned downriver, this time stopping at Malpas to take lunch at the Heron Inn. After lunch we sailed downriver passing a baby seal basking in the sunshine just like Mike still in trunks on the foredeck. On reaching the Carrick Roads we beat into an idyllic small wooded creek on the northern shore called Pill Creek. We ran down the Carrick Roads stopping at St Just in Roseland where Mike jumped overboard for a swim. Then we visited Falmouth Visitor Pontoons but no further because of a steep £6 charge which we felt was unreasonable for a 20 minute stay to buy an ice cream.
Returned to Mylor at 5.25pm.
Distance Travelled 28.6 miles – Trip Time 8hr 35m – Max Speed 8.2mph
3rd September 2007, Force 4-5 N, Sunny 20C
Set off from Mylor at 8.30am to explore the Percuil river. We sailed on a run to St Mawes where we entered the Percuil river. There were a surprising number of moored yachts in the early stretches of the river. This made for challenging sailing with the wind gusting from nothing to force 4 in a matter of seconds, and from all directions. We explored Porth creek and then Trethem creek. Both were very quiet and picturesque wooded creeks and Trethem was alive with Herons and Cranes and plenty of other wild life. We took the ebb tide out of the river and into the Fal estuary with a good force 4 behind us. We set course for the Helford river and had an exciting reach at a fairly steady 13mph. Moored at Helford Sailing Club and made our way round to the Shipwright Arms for an excellent lunch. After a quick lunch due to concerns about the falling tide we sailed up the Helford river a short way to Porth Navas. This was a charming little creek which we managed to beat about half way up before running out of water. Returned to Mylor at 4.20pm.
Distance travelled 30.9 miles – Trip Time 7hrs 45m – Max Speed 15mph
Set off from Mylor at 8.25am, destination Fowey. We ran slowly out of the harbour past St Anthony’s Head. The wind then veered to the NW giving us a broad reach to Dodman point where we passed through some disturbed waters. We then had a beam reach to Fowey where we moored against Albert Pier. We were afforded an excellent welcome by the Fowey Gallants Sailing Club. After lunch at the club we set off in warm sunshine and shorts on the return journey. The wind had backed Westerly which gave us a tough beat all the way back to Mylor. We encountered overfalls of Dodman point which reminded Chris of a bumpy crossing of the Deben Bar with Sarah J but this was 10 times longer! The weather was deteriorating and by the time we arrived at Falmouth we were beating into driving rain and a force 5. We were both glad to have heaved to after Dodman Point to put drysuits on and have some refreshments. Arrived back at Mylor at 7pm.
Distance travelled 58.9 miles – Trip Time 10hrs 38m – Max Speed 10.2mph
Set off from Mylor at 9.15am. Reaching, Chris on trapeze with Mike helming. Rounded the Mannacles and in view of the light wind decided to take the more risky route close in round the Lizard. We were impressed with the size of waves and disturbed action in the area off Lizard Point where overfalls regularly occur. We successfully navigated through these and proceeded (through a military practice area) up the West coast to Mullion. Mullion looked an interesting little village but was not suitable for mooring so we circumnavigated Mullion Island and started the return journey. On route to the Lizard we gave the military another opportunity but nevertheless got to the Lizard where were sailing close in observing several seals lazing on the remote outlying rocks. After rounding the Mannacles we were joined for a while by 3 porpoises. Arrived back at Mylor at 7.20pm.
Distance travelled 54.7 miles – Trip Time 10hr 4m – Max Speed 10.6mph
AM. Launched Eskimo at Mylor Yacht Harbour
PM. We sailed from the marina at 3pm. Reaching out of the harbour past St Anthony’s Head we hit speeds of around 11mph which saw us reach the Helford river by 4.10pm. Keen to see Restronguet Creek when the tide came in we returned past Pendennis Castle and sailed up the Carrick Roads to the creek arriving at 5.40pm. The creek was very attractive with tree lined banks, gently sloping, but not much water. We moored at the Pandorra Inn which had a very convenient pontoon, and had an excellent meal. We arrived back at Mylor in the darkness at 9pm.
Distance travelled 21.7 miles - Trip Time 6hr 7m - Max speed 13.7mph
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