The big one. Around Lands End and across the Bristol Channel

 The weather when we left Newlyn was poor visibility and some wind on the nose.  We left at 11:50 and by 14:45 we were off the Runnel Stone Cardinal buoy which marks one mile off the southern extremity of the Lands End peninsula otherwise known as Gwenap Head. 

Longships Lighthouse and rocks

We passed rocks and rock formations with evocative names like Longships (which has the lighthouse), The Armed Knight and Sharks Fin.  We also got to see the Lands End tourist bit and I wondered how many £10 signpost photographs we would be in the background of. As we'd left, as usual, at the appropriate time for the tidal conditions all was calm and a really nice trip.   At 16:25 we were still motor-sailing with the Genoa only, the wind behind us and only 94 miles left to travel.  Our realistic ETA into Milford Haven being around lunchtime the following day.  

The Lands End Complex

By 20:00 we were within about three miles, according to our AIS display, of the yacht who's departure we had emulated.  Although being close at various times during the crossing I only actually saw her mid morning the following day.  At 20:30 the Navigation lights were switched on and it got very dark about 22:00.  Just as it was getting dark a pod of dolphins, about twenty or so, came to join us and swum alongside, under and around the boat for about an hour.  They, or other groups, came back another three or four times during the night.  A wonder to behold but alas too dark to video or picture. 

Clearing Land End, only 95 miles to go 

From dusk to dawn and beyond the routine was to sleep with a timer set for 12 minutes then wake, check position v planned route, check for other vessels, probably use the bucket, repeat.   All while 3 meter high rollers from across the Atlantic arrived from the rear quarter  tipping Tzu on her beam ends while a Force 6 was blowing.  As if to add to the general fun it also rained a few times during the night.  I've no photos from the night as I was far too busy doing other stuff!

Not complaining, just reporting.  I'm pleased we crossed the Bristol Channel when we did as I would have been updating this piece from Padstow rather than Dale anchorage in Wales and have had a similiar rubbish trip to get there!  

We arrived at Dale anchorage, near Milford Haven just after 12:00 as planned and expected,  dropped the anchor using the new-to-us electric windlass along with 30m of chain in 6m of water, raised an anchor ball to signify we were at anchor and retired to bed.  A few hours later I awoke, had a bite to eat then retired to bed again.  Fortunately I seemed to be all caught up with sleep by the following morning and suffered no lasting effects for the long trip

The Runnel Stone Cardinal Buoy

A cardinal mark is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate the position of a hazard and the direction of safe water. Cardinal marks indicate the direction of safety as a cardinal direction relative to the mark


A last view of England

Next episode we will have a bit of a marina break in Milford haven.  I bet you can't wait.

Leg: 116nm / 22hr 48 min
Trip: 325.6nm

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