Cruise of 1000 isles

[DavebytheSea]

We've done it!

At 12:30, when the lock gate opened, we prised ourselves free from the mud of Padstow inner harbour and, despite forcasts of force 7 southwesterlies, we were soon making good progress against the Atlantic rollers surging up the Bristol Channel. By dusk, we were heading south having rounded Cape Cornwall and found ourselves rounding the Longships Lighthouse of Lands End. We anchored off Newlyn just after midnight and cooked a late night feast of bangers and mash.

This morning, we awoke to forecasts of southerly gales, but having rolled all night in the anchorage, we were anxious to move on. Imeediately we were enveloped in thick fog, and saw nothing all day until the Manacles Buoy. From then on, we ahes a brisk downwind sail to Falmouth - the first since the Crinan Canal!! What a relief to finish on an even keel!

[Fjgrogan]

Welcome home Dave. Would you consider taking a total novice next year?

[DavebytheSea]

Yes - if the boat is still available. I have always welcomed OBs aboard whatever their age or experience. You would be most welcome

[Fjgrogan]

Thank you - I'll be in touch!!

[mvgrogan]

Hei Mum, If you ever needed an incentive to get fit, then this is IT!! Go for it!

[Fjgrogan]

That sounds distinctly like a challenge - as if keeping up with the grandchildren and trying to declutter and refurbish a whole house in three months were not enough already!

[DavebytheSea]

A summary of Moorings/anchorages/ports visited

20/6 Newlyn
21/6 Porthcressa, Scilly
22/6 St Agnes, Scilly
24/6 Glandore
25/6 Castletownsend
26/6-27/6 Baltimore
28/6 Schull
29/6 Crookhaven
30/6 Lawrence Cove Marina, Bere Island
31/6 Castletownbere
1/7-2/7 Adrigole
3/7-4/7 Bantry
5/7 Glengarrif
6/7 Lawrence Cove Marina, Bere Island
7/7 Dunboy Cove, Castletownberehaven
8/7-9/7 Dingle
10/7 Great Blasket Island
11/7-12/7 Kilronan, Inishmore (Aran Islands)
13/7 Inishbofin
14/7 Ballyglass (Broadhaven)
15/7 Roussillion Bay, Aranmore
16/7 Burtonport
16/7-17/7 Tory Island
18/7-19/7 Portrush
20/7 Port Ellen, Islay
21/7 Easdale
22/7 Oban
22/7 Vatersay Bay, Barra
23/7-28/7 Castlebay, Barra
29/7 Archanaid Mhor, Ericsay
30/7-1/8 Canna
2/8-4/8 Tobermory, Mull
5/8-6/8 Oban
7/8 Pulladobrhain, Seil Island
7/8 Eileen Dubh Mor, Black Islands
8/8-9/8 Crinan Canal
9/8 East Loch Tarbert, Kintyre
10/8 Campbeltown, Kintyre
10/8-11/8 Red Bay, County Antrim
12/8-13/8 Carrickfergus, Belfast
14/8 Ballyholme Bay, Belfast Lough
15/8 Strangford Creek
16/8 Ardglass Marina
17/8 Howth (anchorage)
18/8-19/8 Howth Marina, Dublin
20/8 Arcklow Dock
22/8-23/8 Dale, Milford Haven
24/8-28/8 Padstow, Cornwall
29/8 Newlyn
30/8 Falmouth

[DavebytheSea]

Participating Old Blues:

David Eastburn
Jonathan Eastburn
Miles Russell
Gemma Newlands
Chloe Mahoney
Christian Collins
Tom Reinhold

[Angela Woodford]

I'd love to risk going on a boat one day!

But I'm a complete novice. Oh dear.

[jhopgood]

I'd love to risk going on a boat one day!

But I'm a complete novice. Oh dear.

My wife and I are complete novices and we had a great day on El Animado earlier this year. The dog didn't look too happy most of the time but survived
One of my wife's stipulations was that she wasn't going to get wet, and she didn't.
If you've never done it, sailing can be exhilarating. And with David and Jonathan around, the risk is reduced.

[Fjgrogan]

OK Angela, a challenge. Let's you and I both try it next year. I am also a complete novice at sailing. What is even more embarrassing is that I used to be a Sea Ranger skipper and could only ever row round in circles - total lack of co-ordination! At least I can swim - thanks to CH - but it is not something that I choose to do for fun!

[Angela Woodford]

Right! I take up the challenge! Next year we will go sailing!

I don't mind getting wet - I've got some waterproof mascara left over from being Mother of the Bride.

[icomefromalanddownunder]

I'd love to risk going on a boat one day!

But I'm a complete novice. Oh dear.

We all were until we first set foot aboard

xx

[J.R.]

I'd love to risk going on a boat one day!

But I'm a complete novice. Oh dear.

We all were until we first set foot aboard

xx

Hence the expression, "Hello, Sailor !!!"

[DavebytheSea]

As is well known, the expression "Hello Sailor" is a corruption of the French.

Every spring, when the sun shines, the sea sparkles and the sky is painted the brightest blue, the French habitually indulge their passion for beaches and watersports of all kinds. At a given moment and, as if driven by some ancient reflex, the French rush to the littoral and cry with one accord, "A l'eau - c'est l'heure!!