Logbook – 25 July 19 Falmouth to Isles of Scilly

Finally, it feels like the adventure is starting. After the delays and subsequent problems caused by Cardiff Marine, we finally have a fully sound vessel ready for sea and the next stage of the trip. Our plan was to visit the Scillies and then head South to Ushant.

So with a stored and prepared vessel we set of with a Southerly wind of force 3-4 forecast, perfect for use to head to the Isles.

The plan was to travel directly to St Mary’s and pick up a mooring buoy. The passaged started very much as planned with the wind as forecast and the swell slowly building but causing us little of an issue.

Lunch finished we started to see and increase in wind and so reefed the sails to reduce stress on the rig and us.

The wind continued to build steadily until we had a continuous Force 6 from the South and a swell to match the wind.  This was getting more difficult than expected.  There was little to do except set the sails, reduce and canvas and hold on.  With an average speed of 6 knots, Eclipse was flying, enjoying the stiff breeze and as we became more accustomed to the motion we too started to enjoy the thrill.

Just before 1900 we arrived in Scillies, navigating passed the Spanish ledges into the inner isles.  The first thought was to anchor off Tresco in Porth Conger, but that was already with busy…clearly folk has felt the wind earlier and made the move during the day.  We then looked into St Mary’s Harbour, Hugh town, but as now expected, all of the mooring buoys where full. So we finally elected for a little known anchorage to the North of St Mary’s called Watermill Cove. Success! There was one other yacht already tucked up for the night and it left us plenty of space to anchor and shelter from the wind.  Tired and exhilarated, we ate and then slept soundly, rocked gently by the swell.