A steady WSW wind took both vessels to their berths at Falmouth Haven in time to dress overall and revise the racing instructions under the watchful eye of thousands of police billeted in a Baltic ferry at the port. Border Police were out in Force touring the pontoon berths in sinister black jet skis and paddleboards. All in aid of G7 but any protests were good natured, fairly relevant and hardly justified the effort. Burglars and would be immigrants up the line will have had a trouble free weekend!
Meanwhile, endless bottles of locally brewed beer and Choake's pasties were delivered to the various rafts of gaffers. Bulging pockets for Friday's lunch were donated to "Minx", when she turned up late!
The weather remained dull but with sufficient wind for both races on Friday. "Susan J" panicked at the afternoon start, being forced from behind to, possibly, cross, the, as yet ascertained, line too soon. Turning around in panic, she was met by half a dozen bowsprits, between which she managed to retreat, with no loss of paint, to lick her metaphoric wounds and a pleasant cruise to Turnaware ensued. The endless post mortem by the skipper has concluded that Sarah Lightfoot, as third crew participant, was the sorely missed element!
Early fish and chips at the Harbour Lights, saved a long wait later and facilitated the broaching of a malt.
Saturday, was an all together better day, with more wind than forecast and bright sunshine. With the arrival of Tim, Mike lent us Alan, an experienced "young" gaffer if there ever was one, from "Bonita". A much more relaxed race ensued, with some catching up after another poor but at least safe and legal start. All washed down with beer and cake.
With Covid-19 outbreaks aboard the police ferry, the RCYC and Harbour Lights confirmed, the sit down meal at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club was cancelled. Clearly eating ashore was becoming unlikely and hazardous, so most crews rustled up supper from stores below and had socially distanced, "pot luck" suppers on their coach roofs, entertained by a great jazz band. As the, now northerly, wind persisted, the contrast of temperature for our sunburnt skin drove us all below, in our case, to "Cappria" a relatively new and practically turned out Heard 28, who we last met on Bar beach at Helford and later at Coverack a few years ago. Patrick and Rose were very hospitable and, joined by Mike, we put the Old Gaffers to rights!
The eventual outcome for "Susan J" was 9th overall out of a field of 16 in "K" class, for the series of three races, of which only two were finished.
Sunday dawned bright hot and almost wind less. Clear blue skies and by 10 am a gentle breeze to push us around the Carrick Road s course at the obligatory 4 knots. Lots of photo opportunities as we sailed past the VIP's aboard the "Party Boat" normally and more prosaically taking a handful of tourists up the Helford twice a day!
We returned, briefly to the Haven to take on water, chat to a few crews we had missed and leave them sorting "Annabelle's overheating problem. A night at anchor up at Turnaware Point was blissfully peaceful and conducive to a lie in and late start for Helford Passage and the Helford Rally.
All in all and despite on going Covid-19 restrictions it had been a welcome return to near normal behaviour after a stressful 15 months. All credit to the organisers for having the courage to go ahead!
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