I had been stopped 3 nights in Fowey this season, their visitor mooring charge this year for Elektra £26.46 per night, which l think is expensive. I understand that the water taxi is £3.50 each way. Makes Fowey a very expensive stop! I am always on the lookout for free anchorage near by ports to avoid being charged.
With nothing better to do, l decided to look for some in around St Austell Bay and east as far as Looe. Pulling up Elektra’s anchor at 1050hrs, we would have the same problem today with the tide running against but with not far to go did it matter? Sailing north-northeast from Black Head until reached the mussel farm, so thrn tacking west, when we got to the end of the mussels farm, l rolled away her genoa and started her engine. Then motoring slowly north looking at various possibilities for anchorages until arrived off Charlestown, being about 2hrs before low water, l didn’t venture in too close for fear of running aground. So turned away with 1.2m under the keels at 1156hrs. From here l could sail again and set off along the north coast of St Austell Bay. It was then l noticed a NCI station up on top of the cliff, l thought l bet they don’t see many yachts in here, so gave them a little wave.
Sailing on passed Gull Island, Carlyon Bay and Par Docks before turning south towards Little Gibbin. Then southeast to round Gibbin Head. With very little wind, sailing east of Gibbin Head, l cut though between the head and Cannis Rock about 1230hrs, an hour and a half before low water springs, l was fairly happy about doing so because l had do before but not this close to low water. But not to worry in any case as Elektra had 3.5m under her keels. From there l sailed her towards Polridmouth Cove, and when Elektra lost the wind, l rolled away the genoa and motored her in. I was interested here because the chart shows a Rock in the entrance. But now very near low water springs, it still wasn’t showing itself. I thought l am going to anchor here sometime soon, it was really a very nice spot.
Turning around, l motored Elektra back out and set sail along the coast towards Looe, sailing was slow but while Elektra was still making 2kts SOG, l was happy to let her sail which would save diesel. When the wind dropped off to a northwest force 2 and Elektra had slowed to 1.2kts, l started her engine and motored the last 1.5nm. Turning north into Talland Bay for the first time, it looked lovely but the depth swallowed quickly and not wanting to touch bottom at low water because of the underlying swell. I dropped anchor at 1615hrs having logged 15nm in 5m of depth with the tide set to make another 3m before high water. This left Elektra quite a long way off shore.
After tidying away Elektra, l put on my dinner and ate. Afterwards going ashore in the dinghy for a walk, this was Talland Bay and the village/hamlet was called Porthallow. It always fine it amazing how many times the same place name turns up in Cornwall. My engineer comes from the village of Porthallow on the Lizard.
Back aboard, the night forecast was blowy, they were giving northerly force 3 gusting force 6 and the wind had already picked up in the early evening. But having checked my transits a few times and again before dark, l was happy Elektra wasn’t dragging.
The night sounded blowy with the anchor chain clonking now and then, but didn’t really keep me awake as l was quite tired from the days activities.
Love Sailing 