4 Kidneys and a Wonky Leg

No sailing, we are holed up in Falmouth for today and possibly tomorrow, waiting for the strong easterly winds to blow through.

But quiet it is not, the forecast shown above being spot on with the wind speeds. The gentle hum in the rigging is now more of a roar. Fenders and even the pontoons are creaking. It looks like it could be a disturbed night tonight.

We were very lucky last night to pick up the last inside berthing spot in Falmouth Haven Marina and apart from doubling up our mooring lines we have had little other problems.

There was some excitement in the marina first thing as the wind gathered strength. Those on the outside berths were having a hard time with the considerable chop, that had built up across just a few hundred yards of open water. One small boat having to be towed away to a safer position.

We took the ferry to St Mawes, a village on the east side of the Fal estuary. In the easterly wind it was very sheltered, and with the sun beating down, it was very pleasant.

We watched many a boat, going out, only to come back soon after.

Over lunch we watched as a yacht in the estuary struggled with its anchor, which, having been raised, appeared to re-deploy as he was moving off. (Been there, done that). When he finally retrieved it, there was something huge hanging on it. We’d finished lunch by this time, and were moving on, so we never saw how he managed to remove it.

It seems that whilst we were having a pleasant day, chaos was going on all around us. Falmouth lifeboat had two shouts, one, to a yacht aground and another to a medical evacuation.

Back at the marina, someone else went aground while attempting to dock, and later some poor soul came in, his main halyard snapped, and the sail at half mast was wrapped about the shrouds. His jib was only partially furled and he had terrible trouble berthing. (4 attempts ) because of the wind catching the sails and slewing the boat all over the place.

We meanwhile, were having our dinner and sipping our wine as we contemplated what a nice relaxing day we’d had.