With a few days between visits to our first grandson, Alfie, in Poole we had a few days to aboard "Susan J".
A strengthening easterly with associated rolling at the mooring prompted a retreat to the more sheltered Carrick Roads.
While tossing up and down in the Helford entrance, hoisting the mainsail, David noticed that the new bolt holding the goose neck to the boom had lost it's nut and washer and was nearly out. Hammered back in place, the sail was dowsed and a tedious motor across a choppy Falmouth Bay ensued, amply demonstrating the benefit of a hard sheeted main sail when motoring, even straight into the wind!
Once inside the headlands, we broad reached all the way up the channel to Turnaware point reaching 7 knots, at times, under staysail alone - the delight of smooth water!
A couple of nights anchored, peacefully at Turnaware Point, saw the repaired auto bilge pump reinstalled and wired, the small fuse box for "always on" circuits fitted and various other early season jobs done. The bolt securing the boom to the goose neck, with two penny washers was clearly to short for the "Nylock" nut to be effective. With one less washer and blue "Locktite", the problem was solved , at least until longer bolts have been ordered.
Using the dinghy and outboard we motored to the King Harry jetty from where we could access Trelisick National Trust gardens for a sultry walk and a cup of tea and cake.
Having checked on the moored ships, just the Limassol registered P&O ferry remaining laid up, we returned to Turnaware to take a few photo's of "Susan J" in her new rigging!
The Thursday was more clement with a return of SW breezes. We spent the day short tacking down the Roads and across the bay, in preparation for the Falmouth Classics and Helford rally. This gave us an opportunity to get used to the modified backstays and develop a rhythm for tacking with just the two of us. It was so calm and clear that we anchored off Porthallow for the night. A run ashore revealed that the Five Pilchards has changed hands but has a reasonable pint outdoors. There were no tables, so after a steep walk, from where we could see well beyond Fowey we repaired aboard for another of Julie's excellent dinners and a drop of malt!
"Bonita" had been spotted on AIS off Rame Head and in Fowey but by Thursday evening appeared to be be headed around the Lizard. In fact they were alongside in Falmouth, after a late arrival, to release Justin to the railway, having made a single passage from the Swale to Fowey, to take advantage of the now defunct easterlies.
We had started the day by swinging the electric compass and adjusting the heading sensor reading, using the chart plotter. We then had a splendid run across to Falmouth under full sail, with Julie now much happier keeping her right before the wind. By early afternoon we had tied alongside "Bonita" aat Falmouth Haven nd used the opportunity to top off fuel and water as well as enjoying a sit down meal at The Grapes, a splendid breakfast at Fuel on Saturday morning and catching up with Mike Beckett, who now had to wait for crew on Sunday before practicing further for the races.
With increasing drizzle becoming heavy rain, we returned briskly back to our mooring and Somerset for Dentist and car appointments on Monday.
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