Plymouth to The Scillies with Lucas

From the Yealm we had an easy short passage into the Mayflower Marina in Plymouth.

Lucas kindly allowed us to do laundry and have showers, which was very welcome. He then showed us around the city and we had tea overlooking The Sound before touring The Barbican. After installing him on board we ate out in the Royal William Yard.

The next day we sailed to Fowey – a fast reach but with lots of rain. Lucas was quickly pressed into service on the steering.

Fowey is another lovely harbour with lots of facilities for yachts.  We had a comfortable visitor’s buoy and stayed fo two nights so we had a day ashore.  Fowey was very busy with visitors so we took a walk out around St Catherine’s Head, after which we enjoyed a Cornish cream tea.

From Fowey we sailed to St Mawes, just inside Falmouth Harbour.  The weather had turned fine and a gentle but steady breeze gave us an easy reach.  We set the new staysail as well as the Genoa and this gave us an extra knot.

We dinghied ashore and enjoyed exploring along the shore of the Percuil River, where there are lots of moorings and informal boatyards.  The St Mawes’ cream tea was very generous – just as well that this was our last time ashore in Cornwall before the Scillies.

After St Mawes, we needed to round the rather fearsome Lizard peninsular. Following a Cruising Association report, we anchored in the small Housel Bay, very close on the east of the Lizard tip. It was spectacular, surrounded by high cliffs. After dark, the Lizard lighthouse beam swept around the cliffs over the boat.

Next morning we rounded the Lizard and set sail for The Scillies. We were relying on a northerly wind, which did eventually appear and we had a good sail. For some while we were accompanied by a large pod of dolphins, which criss-crossed under our bow and sometimes smacked their tails on the water in enjoyment.

Come evening we arrived at St Mary’s and anchored along with a dozen other yachts in Port Cressa on the south side of the town.

Lucas writes…

The Scilly Isles was a new place for me, which I particularly enjoyed this week, after a pleasant crossing in great weather. With a little hub of activity in Hugh Town of St Mary’s and beautiful views off the peninsula of the other islands, surrounded by clear waters basking in the sun. As always, it was a very enjoyable week during which I was kept well-fed with Ynskje’s catering and Grandpa’s fresh bread!

We now have lovely fine weather and are enjoying walks exploring St Mary’s. Lucas departs tomorrow, Saturday, to return to Plymouth.

We expect to remain in the Scillies for about a week. Not too late to join us!

Ynskje & Tony xx

PS You can view our track log here.