V44-7 Penarth to Portishead

18NM 1035-1500 4h25m (includes locks)

A mid-morning start for the final leg back to Portishead.

In the lock.

Tim met us on the pontoon to take the lines. We celebrated the completion of the voyage.

Many thanks to everyone who joined us, met us, and supported us.

V44-6 Padstow Bay to Penarth

99NM 0400-2230 18h30m (includes lock)

We decide to stay on the English side for a bit after Hartland Point – its a slightly longer track, but with the wind in the south, the fetch creating any waves is very small.

Rain sets in mid afternoon. It becomes heavy as we manoeuvre through the Cardiff Bay Barrage lock and the marina in Penarth. This is a difficult mooring in the dark and wet!

Drying Out in Penarth – July 27

After two consecutive early starts, and long days; and after the heavy rain yesterday, we stayed all of Thursday in Penarth.

A really excellent dinner at the Pilot Inn.

V44-5 Newlyn to Padstow Bay

60NM 0500-1800 13h

Around Lands End for Lou, Niv and Steve and Jo (again!).

We anchored off Stepper Point. In the end we decide to stay anchored for the night as it will be an advantage to leave Padstow Bay at first light.

V44-4 Falmouth to Newlyn

35 NM 1340-1950 6H 10M

Lou arrives by train to Falmouth – and we are off! We decide on an immediate departure as the tide around the Lizard is still advantageous, and the weather looks OK.

We get the last available finger pontoon space in Newlyn – its in the middle, so we moor stern-to.

V43-3 In Portland

We are in Portland for a few days because we have to go home for a night to satisfy the house insurance – and the weather!

We went to Thomas Hardy country by train – and saw his house, the local pub, and his cottage (quite a walk away).

15 Jul 2023

We visited the Portland Museum in Wakeham (next to the village of Easton).

16 Jul 2023

We climbed the new Portland Lighthouse. We recommend the visit and tour – there is a fantastic view from the top, and the old lamp is now on the ground floor of the tower.

V43-2 Guernsey to Portland

We left St Peter Port Marina at the first opportunity – the near spring tide came up to 1.8m by 0700. The tide helped us up the channel between Guernsey and Herm, and was still strong past Les Casquets off Alderney.