Isles of Scilly (part 1)

Well, we're in the Isles of Scilly. An interesting sail here when Simon spotted a weather window to get here before a strong gale arrived and we managed to get in, with a few hours to spare but below a steadily more glowering sky. The weather has been so bad that the islands are very quiet, lots of spare moorings and space everywhere, which is nice for us, albeit the first day here it was so windy that we didn't fancy a dinghy ride and stayed nice and snug on the boat all day out in the harbour!

The weather continues to be very windy but it is so lovely here that waiting for a window to head for Ireland is no hardship. We're probably about a week behind schedule but Simon has a plan to reel off two long sails (here to the Dublin area and thence to Campbeltown for about 10th August) to recover some ground. We hope then to head up the west coast of Scotland and through the Caledonian canal but it really depends on the weather in the next two weeks. Unfortunately the weather forecast for this week seems to be very windy until Friday and to get to Arklow (170 miles) or Dublin (about 210) we need a reasonably settled spell (albeit Milford Haven remains an option en route).

We spent about a week based in St Mary's (the principal island) doing boat trips out to some of the smaller ones, and hiring bikes to explore St Mary's itself. Simon was last here properly in 1982, and then (briefly) on a later sailing trip in the early 90's, Katy had a week here about 15 years ago so whilst the islands familiar in places we have all enjoyed exploring the islands (and in Flora's case their multitude of gift shops). Faqvourite so far is probably St Agnes, which has a great pub, and some lovely unspoilt scenery and beaches.

We have now moved to New Grimsby harbour (between Tresco and Bryher) to explore the northern islands. Tresco seems very very commercialised, with lots of timeshare apartments and a spectaculalry expensive deli dispensing sun-dried tomatoes (etc) but does have a nice and wireless enabled pub which is where we are writing this on a wet afternoon as nowhere else on the Islands have we found a good internet connection (hence the delay since our last post).

Next update likely from Ireland in a week or so.

Penzance and St Ives

In the end we stayed 6 days in Penzance, again waiting for favourable winds to sail to Scilly. We spent several lovely days in St. Ives, travelling there by train and enjoying the beautiful beaches. We all had a lovely time body boarding - Flora's first attempt ended in a spectacular somersault through the waves, but undaunted, she managed to continue and caught some great waves. We also visited the Tate in St Ives and admired the Alfred Wallis and Barbara Hepworth exhibits. We had a day at St Michael's Mount and also a day in Penzance - the latter a place we would definitely return to by sea.

However, throughout this week we were anxiously monitoring the weather. There was a brief 8 hour respite in the strong westerly winds and we decided to go for it, although we knew that the window was tight and a NE gale was foecast to follow right behind. Luckily the BBC forecast was spot on and we got into Hughtown in St Mary's just before the gale struck.

Helford River and Penzance

We set off from Falmouth on the Friday, heading for the Isles of Scilly but unfortunately developed a major electrical fault en route that needed fixing so we had to go back (aluminium boats and earth leaks being a rather expensive lesson in electrolysis). Luckily we found a great marine electrician but it took some time to identify then sort out the fault. This was no great hardship for the girls and me as we spent a few happy days on the beach (photos above) and browsing the second hand bookshops of Falmouth while Simon became intimately aquainted with Fidelio's electrics.

In the end we had to stay 6 days in Falmouth, getting the electrics working and then a day or so waiting for the weather to improve and to allow Simon to see more of it than simply the bowels of the boat. We left Falmouth early on Wednesday and sailed around to the Helford river, picking up a mooring in a beautiful spot on the river opposite the village. After lunch we decided on an adventure - taking the dinghy 4 miles or so upriver to Gweek. All went well until we ran out of sufficient depth of water for the outboard so had to paddle the last mile - very exciting! We arrived just in time to moor at Gweek quay and visit the seal and otter sanctuary there.

Today we set sail westwards again and came into Penzance after 8 rather blustery hours battling a gusty westerly wind. Here for a day or so and then on to Scilly (hopefully) after a day trip to St Ives, and when the wind is coming from somewhere other than due west for a change (exactly where we want to go next!)

Fowey and Falmouth

Hi everyone. We are all fine. Have been battling with the challenges of getting an internet connection when anchored on a mooring buoy. Anyway, am able to give you a brief update and hopefully some photos.

We left Plymouth in the end on Monday as the steering gear needed a last minute part fitted and this could not possible be done on the Saturday. No problem - took the girls to see Night at the Museum 2 (average) and had our last Costa coffee (much better).

We had a good sail out of Plymouth, having first refuelled at the fuelling jetty - always exciting to have some close manouvring of a large yacht right at the beginning of a sailing trip! We took 4 1/2 hours to get to Fowey. A great sail and a beautiful sunny day. The girls did very well - Ellie coped well with queasiness and Flora appears to have the constitution of an ox! A beautiful evening in Fowey - and guess who arrived next to us - Charlie, my instructor in his Ovni! Pictures of the two Ovnis togther in Fowey Harbour above.

The girls enjoyed Fowey - lots of dinghy trips to get to and from the boat. We had a quiet day on Tuesday - walked to Readymoney cove and swam there. Yesterday we sailed here to Falmouth. It was an absolute scorcher, with not a breath of wind. We motored to start, and Simon valliantly put up the spinnaker, but not even enough wind for that, so we had to motor the rest. I'm sure you are enjoying the heatwave but even at sea it was so hot we were all in shorts and t-shirts. Torrential rain and thunderstorms last night and we have spent the day in Falmouth today - exploring the town and at the beach. Tomorow we head for the Isles of Scilly (subject to the early morning shipping forecast), including a 5.30am start (not my best time) but we are looking forward to being there and enjoying sun sea and sand.