Around Lands End to Wales

Winter 2021/2 was  fairly straight forward for "Susan J" and she was lifted in before Easter and back on her mooring in the Helford.  Several family events and persistent easterlies meant only a few short sails but more sections of the SW coast path, were achieved.  The few sails we did, have introduced our recently acquired dog "Molly" for her first sail and a more robust 12V supply to the AIS, now means that we are now visible.

 

After a meal aboard passage planning, we left our mooring early on Saturday, with little wind, motor sailing around the Lizard to Newlyn.  The first thing that struck us was the complete absence of ships "free parking" off Black Head,  presumably reflecting a recovering economy post Covid and need to ship in more oil and gas.

We arrived in Newlyn in time to go on the hammerhead and then a run shore to walk the rather tedious  SW coast path, from Newlyn to Marazion.  Julie has now completed the section from Mousehole to St Mawes, among several others!

The forecast was for wind and rain in the Isles of Scilly so we decided to try to go directly to Milford Haven, which looked as if it would escape the worst.  The little but favourable wind and with the assistance of the engine most of the way,  we were thus able to keep up with all the tidal gates. and were astounded to be making 7 or 8  Kts  over the ground on several occasions!

The weather deteriorated to cloud and rain and the SE breeze picked up.  We put two reefs in the main and for a while used only the staysail.  We arrived about 5 miles east of the Milford haven entrance, as planned, at about 08:00.  Two large tankers left the port but we kept inside the main channel, taking all sail off in the lee of the cliffs before Angle Bay.  We locked into Milford Marina for a well deserved rest.  Booking for two nights as the rain and strong winds did occur on Tuesday.

By Wednesday there was still a brisk south westerly and, being unfamiliar with the area we motored up the river, under the Cleddau bridge to Lawrenny yacht station, who had a mooring temporarily free.

From there we have undertaken two walks,

 

sampled the local beer and completed the laundry. Friday has been wet and has ended with F7 gale but we are secure and hope for a window to leave for Lands End on Saturday or Sunday.