Thanks to Anna for taking the pictures.
V29 – Launch March 2022
Out of the water for the winter
This voyage is on land!
Jetting-off Molia after lifting out. There was not a lot of fouling – the Hempel Cruising Performer antifouling paint seems to work quite well.
Home from Penarth
Day 10 of our return home from Portland. This was my first solo sail on Molia although I had some help – there was someone there to help me tie up in the Cardiff Bay Barrage lock, and Steve met me in Portishead lock.
Outside the Cardiff Bay Barrage it is difficult to see what all the fuss was about yesterday!
I left in the 1100 lock.
Towards the English side, the wind dropped, so I took the sails down and motored the last bit. Many thanks to Portishead Marina for holding the lock open for 5 minutes so I could just make the 1415.
14:58 Molia tied up in Portishead.
Padstow to Penarth
Mike and I left Padstow at lunchtime; and the sailing south of Hartland was about what we expected.
Our evening was enhanced by sailing with the dolphins.
North of Hartland it became a tough sail. We had 16-24 knots on the nose, the waves were against us, and had that typical Bristol Channel shape: frequent and steep – although not that large. The conditions were definitely worse than advertised on the weather forecasts, and we had to tack to prevent the waves from slowing the boat.
After a fairly uncomfortable night, things did not improve around Porlock.
Hats off to Mike for helping – it was his first passage of this sort of length!
Day 9: After 24 hours we called it a day and went into Penarth.
Newlyn to Padstow
We made an early start and were around Land’s End by 0900. We followed our outbound track inside the Longships as conditions were good.
Conditions were more difficult once we had to face the NNE wind and waves up the west coast to Padstow. We had to tack the boat to prevent us being stopped by the waves, and this lengthened our day from 11 to 13 hours – so we were glad to round Trevose Head and reach Stepper Point.
As the tides were neaps, we had plenty of water in the river, so we went up the river to the anchorage opposite Saint Saviour’s Point (near where the channel to the town starts) and dropped the anchor for a rest, and to wait for high water.
I am very pleased to have helped Tim achieve one of his bucket list items – to sail round Land’s End.
Tuesday 31 August 2021
We had a well earned rest – as well as a couple more pasties! We changed crew in Padstow, with Mike replacing Tim for the final legs of the passage.
Mylor to Newlyn
We had a quick look into the Helford River before heading out around the Lizard.
A smooth sail across Mounts Bay and into Newlyn at around 1600.
On the way up to the Red Lion for a fish supper.
Fowey to Mylor
Another classic sail, and the weather was really spoiling us. We started with a short motor up the river at Fowey, past Mixtow, as far as Wiseman Reach.
This chap did not move, even when we got quite close to his buoy. (Tim’s photo)
Mylor Yacht Harbour
We have not had a reserved sign waiting for us at a marina before!
We had a drink at the yacht club, and then a great meal at the Castaways restaurant.
Portland to Torquay
Day 1 of our return to Portishead cruise had to start early to catch a good tide around Portland Bill. We would have headed for Dartmouth, but as it was Dart Week, we needed an alternative. We were lucky to get a berth in Torquay Marina which none of us had visited before.
Portland Bill Walk
There and back on the west side.
The Competent Crew
It was good to see Lou, Niv and Steve on Molia in Portland again this year.
Saturday
A trip to see Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Now traditional apparently!
Sunday
‘The walk’ around Portland Bill – there on the west side, back on the east side.
Molia