Farewell Falmouth, Farewell…

It was becoming a daily routine: Tom would get up and first thing refresh the grib files followed by 30 minutes of studying the forecast wind and sea state for Biscay. Then a check of the met office forecasts to verify the information. And day after day there was no sign of a crossing. The result? One black mooded Partridge.

All the sea areas were showing Gale storm warnings. Sadly two French fisherman were lost at sea; locally roads were being blocked due to blown over trees, telephone poles. Talking locally, we love the local news! London news is always the big headlines ” Cameron apologises for” … “Tesco profits drop” etc, while here the traffic report is “unfortunately sheep have blocked the xyz road”. Fabulous! Far more colourful.

But alas our weather window wouldn’t come, no matter how many times we checked. Long term forecasts would tease you and then closer to the time, the window would go. You started to doubt yourself thinking you must just grit teeth and go for it. But most helpful were those who had done it before emphasising paying attention to the sea state, taking your time, don’t do anything irrational, telling us it will change and come good. While we felt frustrated, those words of wisdom were re-assuring and appreciated.

Susie and Richard admire the weather at Lizard Point

So what’s one to do? Phone home! While Susie’s mum was off to Rome, Dad was game and all up for being our first official visitor! The same Dad who was the last to wave us off! Saturday dawned grey and breezy but Susie woke cheerfully declaring “Yay, my Daddy comes to visit today!” Once a Daddy’s girl, always a Daddy’s girl.

By now we could pass as Falmouth tour guides. Richard Plume was subjected to a town tour and Falmouth’s best pubs and ales, and in return treated us to a seafood dinner. Some would say the way Tom grabbed his hammer and smashed his crab may have had something to do with the weather, but no it was just good fun. On Sunday we went for a walk to Pendennis Castle and a drive to Lizard Point to blow the cobwebs away – literally – have I mentioned how bad the weather was yet?

Back on board, Richard ever the handy man helped us install our new upgraded Simrad 15 inch screen (bad eggs Simrad, this was a free upgrade for our faulty smaller screen). A tricky job that required some handy carpentry which he did brilliantly. We both appreciated his visit and felt refreshed for the new week.

Adina of London!

Jobs that had been reserved for the Med sunshine started to get cracked. Radar reflector is up, several trips up the mast, Tom has started the extensive external spring clean of Adina after a winter in the Solent grime, and Susie added “London” as Adina’s home port to her stern with letters printed by her brother, Stephen. We had all her batteries tested which resulted in a hasty dispatch of a new engine battery and a starter motor. Thanks to Allie from Sailing Logic for helping us source parts again! True star. Meanwhile the long term forecast started to promise good days ahead.

Susie, Mary-Anne and Larry on Traversay III

New arrivals to Falmouth included Larry and Mary-Anne from Canada. They have been on their sailing trip for over eight years! Remarkable. A lovely couple and we joined them for tea on Mary-Anne’s birthday. They own a beautiful boat Taversay III with some lovely wood work and something We’re not so sure we’ll see anywhere else – a keyboard built in below their bed with pedals included! A lovely tune was duly produced by Mary-Anne. The long term forecast was holding somewhat – well the Tuesday window became Friday – close enough.

Steve Keenor and his girlfriend Lizzie drove 1.5 hours from their holiday cottage in Bude to see us. We enjoyed dinner onboard and a good catch up. Both are joining us in warmer climes for a sail at the end of July if Steve can just remember whether the sailing or golf holiday comes first in his time off.

The forecast was delaying slightly but still looked promising. Sadly Neil Meyrick who was scheduled to join us was declined permission by work (Tom’s old work place). A bit of a kick in the teeth but we knew we could do the crossing ourselves, though we would miss Neil’s company. A shame as Neil really wanted to do it, but with an impending birth getting the time off at short notice with paternity leave looming just wasn’t going to happen.

Thursday dawned and Friday’s weather forecast was holding. All stations go. Trips to town, meals for 5 days prepared, gas purchased, kit sorted out, boat prepared. Two excited but apprehensive people went to bed early. Sleep was disturbed but we woke and after a quick shower, we were finally leaving Falmouth to cross Biscay. Destination Bayona, Spain.

It took us just one day to leave Hamble and we never foresaw spending over two weeks in Falmouth. But it wasn’t half a bad place to park up. Thanks go to Ben and Alan of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners for putting up with us, being super friendly and helping us. Bob Orchard the ever patient and highly knowledgeable electrician who helped us with our batteries and wiring. One of the really good eggs in the sailing industry with a terrific Cornish sense of humour! And to the lovely folk of Falmouth who kept wondering when those two hangabouts would be leaving – we’ve left!