Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 78

Thr 12.9.13: Poole
HD highlights from the passage home:




Drifting conditions, off Black Rock. The ebb carries us out of Falmouth; as the dawn mist burns off.




We ghost our way to the Eddystone. A breeze pipes up, and we romp into...




...Salcombe.




For the first time, on this cruise, we pay for a mooring; to give ourselves a prime spot.(Stargazer is behind the sail).




To one side; the houses of Salcombe, climb the rocky valley side, in neat, disciplined rows.




To the other, sun (and wind) lovers are at play, on the golden beaches, of East Portlemouth. Above them, lush green woodland straggles skyward.




I take the ferry to East Portlemouth, and walk the Coast Path...




...out to Prawle Point.




I'm watching the forecasts. We sail on the promise of a north west 4, increasing to 5.




Its a marginal 4 off Start Point. Out in Lyme Bay the 5 fills in, and builds to more of a 6, off Portland Bill. (It was dark by then - so no pictures!)




We fly down to Poole, urged on by wind and tide. Our SOG peaks at 12 knots. In the early hours we anchor under the lee of Brownsea Castle.




After some sleep, and a good hot meal; I take Stargazer up to Poole Quay...



....and home.
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Location:Woodlands Avenue,Bournemouth,United Kingdom

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 77

Tue 10.9.13: Poole




I wake to a sunny morning and still water, below Brownsea Castle.




We catch the 15.30 Bridge lift...




...up into Holes Bay...




...and return Stargazer to her home berth.




I dash over to the yard chandlery, before it closes, for a tube of Sikaflex sealant. Tomorrow's job is to reseat the anchor windlass. The onions, for last night's 'Tilman Stew,' were ready salted (and a trifle spongey)!
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Location:Woodlands Avenue,Bournemouth,United Kingdom

Update 76 part 2

Blood Alley, Poole Harbour.




15 miles out from Start Point, the forecast northwesterly 5 arrives; as if a switch has been thrown. Down comes the Cruising Chute, and in go two reefs to the main. We're off Portland Bill as the sun sets; bounding over short, steep, English Channel seas. The tide speeds us down to Anvil Point - a dark silhouette against the lights of Bournemouth seafront; with the lighthouse beckoning us in. We anchor under the lee of Brownsea Island, at 01.30.
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Location:United Kingdom

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 76

Mon 9.9.13: Southpool Creek, Salcombe.




The forecast is a bit all over the place. It feels like a good passage making day, though! We're making for Brownsea Island, in Poole Harbour. Expect to be in around 03.00 Tuesday.

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Location:Cliff Road,Salcombe,United Kingdom

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 75

Sun 8.9.13: Southpool Creek, Salcombe.




I had intended to sail for Poole, today. The morning forecast, of light and variable winds, through Lyme Bay, deters me. (In the event we've had a squally SW 4-5 here....)




In jest, I ask the Berthing Master if there's a discount, for no wind. He offers me a free night, on the mooring. My decision, to stay another day, is made.




Fleets of Devon Yawls, Solos and National 12's weave through the slumbering cruisers; racing hard.




In the still of the morning, tomorrow's racers train, under the verandah of Salcombe Yacht Club (the red building, on the left).




If there's breeze, tomorrow: we'll leave at 09.00; round Start Point, on the eastbound tide; dip into Lyme Bay, out of the worst of the westbound tide; and catch the new eastbound tide, off Portland Bill, for a slingshot into Poole. ETA 02.00 Tuesday.
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Location:Cliff Road,Salcombe,United Kingdom

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 74

Sat 7.9.13 Southpool Creek, Salcombe.




I eat my picnic, out on Prawle Point.




I've walked the Coast Path, past deserted beaches...




.....and the old coastguard lookout.




The cliff tops are alive with wild colour.




Nature has sculpted Easter Island heads, from the living rock.




I share the view, back to Bolt Head, with them.

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Location:United Kingdom

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 73

Fri 6.9.13: Southpool Creek, Salcombe.




The lush green hillsides, and...




...golden sands, of East Portlemouth.




A Devon cream tea, aboard Stargazer: Devon clotted cream and scones; Irish homemade raspberry jam; and the last of my French coffee - from last year's cruise.




A run ashore, to the colourful cottages...




...and steep, winding alleys, of Salcombe.


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Location:Cliff Road,Salcombe,United Kingdom

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 72

Thr 5.9.13: Southpool Creek, Salcombe.




We ghost out of Carrick Roads, past St Anthony head;...




...our cruising chute, barely filling;....




...as a five masted, cruise liner puts in to Falmouth.




Stargazer chases cats paws, of breeze, across a smooth sea, under goose winged cruising chute...




.... Out to the Eddystone Rock lighthouse (bottom left of pic); where a westerly 4-5 pipes up.




We hold onto the poled out chute, and take off - surfing at 9 knots over the ground, in a building swell.




I have an energetic, 30 minute, work out, up on the foredeck, to get it all stowed; when the time comes, to harden up, around Bolt Head, for the beat in, over the Salcombe Bar.




The water taxi points us to a vacant mooring, off Southpool Creek; as the sun sets behind the town.
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Location:United Kingdom

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 71

Wed 4.9.13: St Just




It's not often that this spot, in the mouth of St Just creek, would be sheltered. In today's light south east breeze it's a tranquil anchorage.




The calls, of meadow birds mingle, with the lap of the tide; on a tawny, pebble, beach, veined with granite and kelp.
Inside the creek, shoal draft boats - Shrimpers, Crabbers, and the working craft which inspired them - swing, placidly, to and fro; whilst wind and current skirmish, playfully, around their moorings.



A sea mist rolled in, whilst we ambled across, to St Just, alongside Eve of St Mawes. Tomorrow the visibility is forecast to clear, and the breeze to increase; to a north westerly 4-5. Perfect, for a sail, out past the Eddystone, to Salcombe.
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Location:Avenue Road,Falmouth,United Kingdom

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 70

Tue 3.9.13: Town Quay, Falmouth.




We cross the estuary, from St Mawes, to Falmouth Quay.




Some familiar faces, from Scilly, are there to greet us. We shared an anchorage with Agnes; and ran, neck and neck, with Eda Frandsen, all the way back.




We finally pulled ahead of her on the way in, from the Lizard. Stargazer, just, hung onto her Cruising Chute, until we cut inside the Manacles east cardinal, and hardened up for St Mawes. Eda F had to drop her reaching sails at the Lizard and took the outside route.




Yesterday I re-energised. Today it's Stargazer's turn. She's gone a fortnight since her last water and shore power top up; and five weeks since a fuel and Gaz refill. The salad drawer and bread bin are bare too!




As soon as water is aboard, I get my clothes washing done, and out, drying in the sun. Diesel is quickly dealt with. To my delight, daily battery charging has used only 20 litres.




I head into Falmouth town, for supplies of fresh food. Olive Bread and Cornish Brie salad for supper tonight!



IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
I added parts 2, 3 & 4 to yesterday's update, late last night. Some HD highlights....




LOOKING AHEAD:
Winds look too light, for passage making, tomorrow. So I'll probably anchor at St Just; and row about in the creek. Not sure what signal availability will be like. Will post pics as soon as I have some.
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Location:Waterloo Road,Falmouth,United Kingdom