Molia

An early slight moderation in the forecast encouraged us to make a break for Dartmouth before Thursday’s forecast of much higher wind. Added to this the sea state continued to look manageable with a maximum of 1.2m around Salcombe.

We found the forecast generally accurate, with the exception of 24kt gusts just outside Plymouth! We motored with the jib up (in various states of reefing) with the wind, waves (not too high) and tide behind us. Mostly the wind was force 5 gusting between the bottom and top of its range (17-21kts) with a few more brief showings at 24kts.

So we were at Bolt Point at 1300, Salcombe at 1400, Start Point at 1500, and Kingswear Castle at 1615. The whole trip (36.6NM) including tying-up at Noss Marina done in 6 hours and 20 minutes.

We set off early as we were aware that the weather might be chasing us! The south-westerly breeze was light to start with, gradually increasing, but did not get above moderate.

We were inside the relative shelter of the Plymouth Sound breakwater by 1315.

Overnight Storms

Luckily the berth we have at the Mayflower Marina came equipped with nylon dock lines that also have big rubber shock absorbers fitted. So to relieve the snatching from our own mooring lines, we used those provided and our night in force 8 gusts was comfortable.

Monday

Jono was with us, but the weather was not suitable for going to Dartmouth – so after a quick trip to the fuel quay, we sailed into the sound briefly, and it was windy! We had to wait outside Sutton Harbour while a Royal Navy ship manoeuvred out of Devonport, rounding the corner past the Mayflower Marina. It had several tugs and a police boat escort.

In the afternoon we made crossed on the Cremyll ferry for a walk around Mont Edgecombe. We recommend the Orangery behind Edgecombe house for a cup of tea (view of its garden above).

Tuesday

Due to high winds persisting at Salcombe and Start Point, we were not going to Dartmouth today either. We walked to the Barbican across the Hoe, and had some brunch before returning in time for Jono’s train.

We managed to sail for half this leg. We had planned sufficient time to go slowly across Mounts Bay, and were rewarded with enough wind to make a little over 4kts across the ground.

Once around Lizard Point we added the engine for an hour before the Falmouth breeze filled in with 15kts on the beam. This gave us 40 minutes of Molia’s best sailing speed under full sail, with a boat speed touching 7kts at times and an average well over 6.5kts.

As there was a Falmouth Packet race in the entrance to Carrick Roads, we took down our sails a bit earlier than usual for this location, and manoeuvred to avoid the fleet on our way up to Mylor.

We are in Mylor until the end of the week, while the poor weather goes past.

We left Padstow as soon as it was light at 0440. The sea state was smooth and there was a light SW wind mostly against us at the start, so we had to motor – the engine was on all day!

A dull morning turned to sunshine around St Ives. Jo got her fifth ‘Longships Lighthouse’ photo, and we rounded Lands End at 1330.

We arrived in Newlyn at 1600 as planned.

We left Swansea in the first lock available and felt our way out of the harbour as it was only an hour after low water. The depth showed 1.9m briefly!

A light westerly wind did not help the boat speed very much, and we motored all day.

Arrived Padstow Bay at 2105 and waited until 2200 and darkness before heading up the river. This strategy paid off as Alan opened the gate as soon as we arrived, and we tied up for the night on the wall.

24 May 2026

Sunday.

The ship in Padstow harbour turned out to be a replica of Columbus’s Santa Maria.

Today we were allowed to move Molia from the wall to the central pontoon. Having wedged Molia between two other yachts, and secured the stern, Jo inflated the tender and rowed out to the mooring buoy to secure our bow.

The new location made our stay in Padstow especially comfortable.

25 May 2026

Monday.

26 May 2026

Tuesday. Another very hot day! We went round the Santa Maria, which was well presented, and gave us a great view of the harbour.

The Waverley visited Padstow at high water, so we went to the outer wall to watch her leave. And the cormorant was back – this time doing his characteristic wing drying pose.

28 May 2026

Thursday. The Santa Maria left Padstow early this morning – it only just fits through the harbour entrance!

The weather was cooler today, so we walked to Wadebridge for lunch (and got the bus back). The sun was out later in the afternoon

We started from Penarth at 0830 and were in the 0900 lock out of the Cardiff Bay Barrage. In a very smooth sea state, we kept the engine on to start with as the east wind was light. At around 1250 the wind became a moderate westerly and we sailed for a while until 1420.

We got nearly another hour of sailing in Swansea Bay (1600-1655) before arriving at the start of the marked channel into the harbour. As low water Swansea was at 1725, we waited at the outer mark until 1800 before feeling our way in. By 1900 we were moored safely in Swansea Marina, so we went to Gallini’s for some well deserved Italian dinner.

We left in a mid-morning lock (1030) and sailed for 90 minutes until the light SW wind stopped giving us enough speed, and we started the engine.

Arrived at the Cardiff Bay Barrage locks at 1400, and then onto a pontoon in the inner Penarth basin.

Our summer cruise started this year with a passage to Padstow, where we stayed for most of half-term week in glorious sunshine.

V71-1 Portishead to Penarth

V71-2 Penarth to Swansea

V71-3 Swansea to Padstow

V71-4 Padstow to Newlyn

V71-5 Newlyn to Mylor

With a full complement of crew we sailed up to the second Severn crossing in perfect weather.

Lunch on the way, and drinks back in Portishead.

Jo and I took Molia for a quick trip up the river to check the equipment and rig the reefing lines. It was a sunny and calm day – perfect for this exercise!