Sunshine in Newlyn





 Yesterday we sailed from Falmouth to Newlyn.  Newlyn is primarily a working fishing port but welcomes the odd yacht if they have room.  We had a very enjoyable sail although yet again we had to motor sail most of the time as the wind direction continues to be against us.  We wanted to make Newlyn by last night as strong winds were forecast for today and we wanted to be in Newlyn ready to set off for Lands End when the winds died down.  It looks as if this will be the case tomorrow (Tuesday) so we plan to leave at 8. a.m to catch the favourable tide to take us round Lands End.  

Many of the write ups about Newlyn are rather damning, citing a lack of welcome for yachts and poor facilities.  We haven’t found this to be our experience at all.  There was a very helpful welcome from the Harbour Master and the facilities, while a bit basic, are very acceptable.  We are here with Susan J, Bonita, Recipe and Lahloo, so it is quite a Gaffer gathering.  I suspect that gaffers are more welcome here than ‘yachties’.  

We all gathered together last night to eat in the Red Lion - a really enjoyable evening.  

This morning did not start well for Roger.  I tried the heads door and found it occupied.  Automatically, I pressed the lock button on the outside of the door, which keeps it securely closed while at sea - it has become a habit.  I then left the boat to go to the showers.  Isabel (still in her berth), heard a faint knocking and quite cries of ‘Chris, Chris’.  These were repeated a few times and eventually Isabel went to discover what was up.  I had locked Roger in the heads.  He didn’t want to call too loudly in case he woke up the skipper in the boat next door. Roger took it more graciously than I would have done and it has caused much laughter in the boat today. 

After breakfast we walked in Mousehole (just up the coast). Isabel left us to have a run along the coast path which was apparently quite undulating!  Mousehole is a lovely little village but sadly is famous for a dreadful disaster at sea in 1981. In December 1981, the crew of the Penlee lifeboat, Solomon Browne, were attempting to rescue the crew and passengers from a coaster in severe trouble. The lifeboat battled hurricane force winds to reach the Union Star. In the event, both vessels were lost and all lost their lives at sea that night.  Do look up the ‘Penlee Disaster’ on Google - it is a story of great courage and great tragedy. 


Falmouth to Newlyn        38.9 nms

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