Fowey and Tamar - tentatively post lockdown!

Early August found  "Susan J" on a broad reach to Dodman Point and another on the opposite gybe into Fowey.  As we rounded up and released the jib traveller, the upper Wickham Martin swivel broke (as the subsequent photograph shows) and the traveller came aft, at speed, breaking part of the staysail reefing drum!  Should have eased the halyard first but at least it happened in the relative shelter of Gribben head! 

Once we recovered and bagged the jib we took an empty visitors mooring and enjoyed two rather rolly nights, either side of a very wet and misty day in which we completed the Hall walk via Polruan and Bodenick ferries.  

Thursday was calm and misty so we pointed in the direction of Rame Head with the autopilot taking charge, more effectively without a jib!  While we all kept a lookout through the fog. By lunch time the mist cleared to reveal a colourful, if rather empty Plymouth Sound. We anchored under Jennycliff and visited Mountbatten for a socially distanced drink before returning aboard for super and another rolly night.  

After a brief swim in sharp thunderstorm, we sailed and motored under the bridges and back to the Lynher, where we anchored close to the mud in ssssssss bay.  A walk ashore in the summer's heat, through the hay fields conserved by the local community and eating the juicy blackberries, was a delight.  

Once there was sufficient water, we dinghied up the very picturesque and tidy Forder creek for socially distanced drinks and picnic with Rob and Ann and their friends, the first SW gaffer event, for us since visiting Pellew awaiting launch in Truro.

Our cruise at this point was going to have to be cut short by brewing issues in London but the upside was that our daughter, Lil, could stay aboard until we were back at Helford and return to London with us rather than by train.  We went alongside at the Mayflower and Julie and Lil hauled David aloft to retrieve the jib halyard and remains of the top swivel.  The replacement had not arrived, as ordered in Fowey and eventually required a separate road trip the following weekend, after our trip to London and Bristol in the heat and thunderstorms but facilitated the disposal of an unsuitable danbuoy a replacement inflatable device and new oilskins for Julie.  Apparently married for 40 years (the skipper had left the redated anniversary card at home for the fourth year running!), the opportunity was taken, to have our first post lockdown sit down meal.  We are pleased to report that the food and beer at Jolly Jack's is as good as ever and all unobtrusively socially distanced!

So, with batteries recharged and water tanks full, we motored about a third of the way to the Dodman before a  WNW  wind filled in, dolphins appeared and, with the tide, we close reached our mooring in 9 hours on a close reach at 6-7 knots under main and stay sail alone.