Into The Mystic Cruise 2013- update 11

Sat 6.7.13: Frenchman's Creek, Helford.

Stargazer hangs suspended between her reflection below and a powder blue sky above. To either side she is framed by wooded shores; of a green, so intensely dark, as to be almost black.

The oar blades leave a line of whorls and eddies, like footprints, on the water; as I row away. The low sun warms my back; and dries the dew drops, which stud the dinghy like sparkling jewels.

A heron contemplates me from the shadows, as I row into the stillness of Frenchman's Creek. I rest on the oars and return its gaze; watch the sunlight paint the trees a startling emerald; feel an involuntary shiver, as the bleached bones of fallen branches reach out toward us; hear the quiet.

The sun is up, and a sea breeze starting to ruffle the water, by the time I reboard Stargazer, for breakfast.

The wind is forecast to stay light, today and tomorrow; and then to settle into the east: a fair wind for Scilly. Tomorrow we put in at Penryn, to top up the water and fresh provisions, to be ready.

(I had my HD camera with me for my early morning row. Photo update tomorrow, when I have shore power to download them & 3G signal to post with!)


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Location:Frenchman's Creek

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 10

Fri 5.7.13: Frenchman's Creek, Helford.

The ebbing tide uncovers a sandy point, sheltering us to the west. Satin black cormorants, line it, wings akimbo; silhouetted against the tawny gold spit; basking in the sunshine.
Stargazer and I follow their lead: Stargazer's solar panel harvests the sun's rays. Washing flaps languidly, in her rigging. I tidy up below; disinter the dinghy from its winter tomb, in the cockpit locker, still salty from a row ashore at Tinduff; and doze off yesterday's excitement, lying on the cockpit benches. In my daydream, Stargazer vaults from wave crest to wave crest, like a leaping salmon; home bound for the Helford River.

( Not enough signal to send pictures: I'll post a Helford photo-montage from Penryn, when we put in to water and re-provision).


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Location:Frenchman's Creek

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 9

Thr 4.7.13: Frenchman's Creek, Helford.
(I'm going to try sending this without pictures, to see if there's enough signal for text only. Signal very patchy, in this 'away from it all' spot!)
The splash, of an unseen fish jumping, echoes across our tree lined anchorage. Concentric ripples radiate lazily,over the limpid green water. Stargazer crept into this pool, below Frenchman's Creek, on the last zephyrs of the evening breeze. The roar of the wind quieted by the setting sun.
Our day started, in Plymouth; ghosting, down the Hamoaze, on the ebb. Dawn mist hung above the cranes in the navy yards.
That mist turned to fog off Drake's Island, and 25 knots of south west breeze filled in. I took two reefs as we foamed past the unforgiving stone of the breakwater.
Slab sided, breaking swell, rolling in off the Atlantic, met us off Rame Head. Stargazer shouldered through, in a welter of white spume. We put in our first tack off the Eddystone light, without ever seeing the gaunt stone sentinel, through the murk.
Wave by wave Stargazer clawed her way south west; one tack at a time, through the day.
The sun broke through in the late afternoon. The Lizard's lee calmed the breaking crests. Stargazer rode, instead of battled, the swell. The wind backed, a couple of points, and lifted us into the silent embrace of the Helford River.
(Delayed posting - looking for 3G signal)
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Location:Frenchman's Creek

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 8

Wed 3.7.13: Sand Acre Point, St Germans River, Plymouth.




We're at the head of the creek. That place, on all rivers, where sea-going beginnings and endings become one; and the project boat swings on her mooring. Old sea dog, back from the high seas; and aspiring mariner, readying for the off, at the same time.




Stargazer and I are drying off and resting up, after 23 hours of sailing yesterday: feeling quietly satisfied, at having put our first 'proper' sea miles, of the 2013 season, under the keel.




Five days out, we've still got half full water tanks, the diesel is untouched and batteries are 'as well as can be expected,' with nav. lights and all our instruments to power.




Bosun dinghies, from the Navy's Jupiter Point Boat Handling College, scud about, well reefed; their crews whooping and shrieking with delight. Today the wind is still blowing a 6, but its veered north west. ( I'm glad we moved in from Cawsand yesterday!). A north westerly is perfect for a reach over to Helford...
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Location:Plymouth,

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - post script to update 7

Tue 2.7.13: Sand Acre Point, St. Germans River, Plymouth.




The "mizzle" sets in whilst I take an hour's, post crossing, nap. So too does an uneasy swell, refracted into Cawsand Bay by 30 knots of Southerly wind.
A windless but rolly anchorage: time to move on!
Stargazer runs up through Plymouth harbour at 7 knots under jib only. Mizzle coats my glasses and hangs opaquely in the air. Grey sea blends with grey cloud, linked by grey swirls of mist.
A squat black nuclear sub passes us at the breakwater and quickly disappears into the murk; surrounded by an attentive melee of support craft. Like a prize fighter and his attendants, spoiling for a scrap.
Angular grey warships hum and whirr busily. Metallic tannoy messages, in clipped tones, echo across the wind torn water, as we tear on past the naval dockyard.
Next we dodge the three Tor Point chain ferries. Ahead looms the Saltash bridge, high above the river. The gateway to Kernow - Cornwall; the ancient kingdom of the west. The spider legs of its arches, straddling the high cliffs; amorphous through skeins of mizzle.
We harden up into the St. Germans River: Green, wooded, tranquil. The water is glassy calm under Sand Acre Point. I bring Stargazer in and anchor outside the moorings. This feels more like it. We've found our resting place for the night.
(Too much wind and mizzle for photographs this afternoon, I'm afraid. Words and mental pictures only!)
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Location:Plymouth,

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 7

Tue 2.7.13: Cawsand Bay, Plymouth.



It was a rousing beat, along the south coast of Guernsey and out into the Channel. Stargazer swooping over the swell, with 17 knots of breeze over the deck.



Progress slowed overnight,while the wind dropped and backed south west. I brightened a battleship grey dawn by hoisting the cruising chute.....




....for a flying entrance to Cawsand Bay. The wind is forecast to rise to a 6 out of the south; so we're tucked in under the cliffs...




.. just off the beach . With perfect timing: I've made it below, for a snooze, just as the traditional Cornish "mizzle" has set in. Let's see what tomorrow brings!
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Location:The Earl's Drive,,United Kingdom

Into The Mystic Cruise 2013 - update 6

Mon 1.7.13: Havelet Bay, Guernsey.




The Shipping forecast is giving W or SW 4 to 5 and moderate to good visibility for the next 24 hours. Fair winds for Cawsand.




We'll weigh anchor at 14.00, to pick up the north west bound tide off Les Hanois; aim to clear the shipping lanes by nightfall; and expect to anchor in Cawsand Bay around 07.00 to 09.00 Tue.



Bill Tilman, the adventuring Bristol Pilot Cutter skipper, swore by onions, as the basis for a proper seafaring meal. In need of hearty food, to set me up for my night's sailing, I'm inclined to agree!


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Location:St Stephens,