Day trips in August!

In August  the Helford River becomes very busy.  A chance gap in bookings enabled us to stay in our flat with Alison and Mike, while Phillip and Kate were enjoying a break at the Budock Vean Hotel. 

The latter enjoyed a pleasant day sail with us aboard "Susan J" to the Manacles and Black Rock at Falmouth.  Putting the world to rights with younger minds is always a pleasure!

Lil joined us for a few days form London and our Anarth Lugger, "Flat Sea" was rigged.

Here "Flat Sea" can be seen sailing past Susan J" at her mooring, with lil at the helm.  "Flat Sea" is one of around 500 Anarth dinghies built at Helford Passage by the, late, Arthur Eva and continuing to be maintained and occasionally built by Julyan.  10 foot long and heavily moulded in GRP from a clinker built rowing boat, they are fairly ubiquitous around the south Cornish coast.  She makes a good sturdy tender for our local mooring.  "Flat Sea" was one of the first, of only around seven, to have been built with side thwarts, a centreboard case and a lug sail.  With tide under her she affords us a peaceful way of exploring the upper reaches of the river.

With visitors gone, a busier bank holiday weekend approaching and easterlies for 36 hours forecasted, along with neap tides, David and Julie decided to make a passage to St Agnes in Scilly.  

A confidence restoring cruise across Falmouth Bay!

In early August, after her boisterous return from Weymouth, "Susan J", not to mention her crew, were in need of a gentler cruise!

Here Julie is relaxing aboard, enjoying the sunset from "Susan J"'s mooring off Helford Passage

The following morning we sailed towards Falmouth.

Anchored at the top of Carrick Roads at Turnaware Point, From where we could see Tresillick House.

We carried on to Portscatho.  Here we went ashore and joined Roger and Rosemary at their lovely home, from where Roger has a commanding view over to Nare Head and Gull Rock.

Anchored off Portscatho. The observant amongst you will notice the absence of "Susan J"'s inflatable Danbuoy, on the starboard push pit.  It had been found on the saloon shelf and deployed more accessibly, after servicing, when we acquired her.  On a glorious morning for a swim, it was test deployed  with a view to a subsequent annual service - it sunk like a stone without trace!