This was the trip I was not looking forward to, you go west then south then east so the wind, unless its a Northerly it is going to cause you problems. Fortunately I was forecast a NE F4 / 5 so in theory I was in luck at last. I also called Deb & she checked a couple of websites for me which confirmed the forecast. Well things did not go according to plan. After about an hour the wind changed from a westerly to a south westerly i.e. directly on my nose so I had to tack up up wind which is no fun when the waves are also come from that direction. The wind rose from 15 knots to 20 then 25 then to 30 knts!!! This was a storm.. the sky went black.. the seas built up and I was sailing with a tiny bit of sail up. There was no port to run to so I had to carry on.. the tide turned before I could get to Lands End so I was fighting that as well. I was making about 1.5 knots across the ground which meant it was going to take me the best part of 18 hours to get to Newlyn. The seas built up and I was hit from all sides by 30 foot rollers.. so dramatic.. so scary.. the boat was great but every window leaked, the hatches leaked and I was wetter than a haddock. No I don't have any photos but the sight of Lands End shrouded in rain with huge white horses is imprinted on my brain for ever. I arrived in Newlyn just praying that they had a berth.. there was one left which two guys very kindly helped me in to.. I dried off a bit, drank a cuppa soup they brought round for me then they came back and took me to the pub... I was so grateful to them. 
Newlyn is a very busy fishing port, which I would think is quite rare these days. The town is a typical Cornish village, pretty and compact. I have taken my washing to the Seaman's Mission for a proper woman to wash and am using their internet connection to update the blog. I have to make my plans now for the crossing to North Brittany... well it can't be any worse .... can it? I will be setting off tomorrow i think and will be heading for L'Aber Wrach, which is on the north coast above Brest. It's about 100 Nm which is abut 115 miles and I intend to set off about 8 a.m. and sailing through the night arriving at L'Aber Wrach about 9 a.m.
Newlyn is a very busy fishing port, which I would think is quite rare these days. The town is a typical Cornish village, pretty and compact. I have taken my washing to the Seaman's Mission for a proper woman to wash and am using their internet connection to update the blog. I have to make my plans now for the crossing to North Brittany... well it can't be any worse .... can it? I will be setting off tomorrow i think and will be heading for L'Aber Wrach, which is on the north coast above Brest. It's about 100 Nm which is abut 115 miles and I intend to set off about 8 a.m. and sailing through the night arriving at L'Aber Wrach about 9 a.m.
1 comment:
I definately think you deserve some chocolate.
Lou x
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