Love Sailing

After doing more work, l had another opportunity for 2 weeks of sailing but the weather had changed for the worse. The forecast was showing endless blows following each other for the next fortnight.

We decided to go aboard on Thursday and sail north to Channals Creek in the Fal River. We got aboard in the afternoon, stowing the gear lifting the engine onto the pushpit and dinghy onto her davits we were ready. The forecast was giving northwesterly force 4-5 so l pulled the mainsail with one reef, Vicki motored Elektra out of Gillan and l set the genoa with one reef and stopped the engine.

Both Vicki and I were looking forward to this, there hadn’t been any wind so far this season when we were able to get out. We weren’t disappointed, Elektra took off across Falmouth Bay in a north-northeastly direction hard on the wind logging 5-6kts, we were loving it. It was great to be sailing again, a good force 5, Elektra was going well. Into the Carrick Roads between Pendennis Point and Black Rock and on towards St Mawes Castle. We tacked just west of the castle and headed for Falmouth Harbour. Just before the harbour we tacked again, now heading for St Just in Roseland. As we crossed the Roads again we were able to get Elektra to point a little better. We tacked again just north of St Just and headed west again, we tacked again just east of Mylor swing moorings, off this tack we were heading for Turnaware.

I started Elektra’s engine just south of Turnaware Buoy and rolled away the genoa, Vicki motored Elektra north as l lowered and stowed the mainsail. We dropped anchor in Channals Creek just 2hrs after leaving Gillan having logged 10nm.

After 4 weeks without any rain, it looked good for a fortnight’s holiday out to Scilly. Fortnight’s! I can’t believe l am actually saying it, fortnight there l said it again! With my job, as much as l liked, it came with the tie of always getting back to work after only a week. So for 35 years my longest summer holiday had been a maximum of 10 days. That and with the need to load supplies and get ready for work again when we returned, often meant 8 days max with 2 days on passage only giving us 6 days max in Scilly, often into the mix came the weather, we may of had to leave for Scilly later because of the weather, or leave Scilly early before forecasted strong winds.

Over the years since starting cruising in 2006, our first visit was in 2009, passage out on the Tuesday and sailed home the following Saturday, so giving us 3 days on the islands. In 2010 we managed 6 days on the islands and our best ever holiday 😀. We went again in 2013, this time we got gale bound in Scilly, we went Saturday, the first gale came Wednesday night, then the wind stayed at about force 6 until the next gale came though Sunday night, Monday we made our escape back to Newlyn and the following day to Helford, that was our last visit with that yacht. We bought Elektra at the end of 2016 and went to Scilly in 2017 and 2018 for a week. The weather didn’t allow us to go in 2019 when we had the time. And with Covid in 2020 we weren’t allowed to go when we had the time. Our next visit was in 2021, seemed very strange in the aftermath of Covid we had our first meals out. And Scilly was so much busier than we had ever seen it before!

So now in 2023 having semi retired l was looking at a fortnight’s holiday, wow! Elektra had been gale bound in Carne Creek for the last 3 weeks due to strong east winds. East wind sounds great to go to Scilly but there is always that thought that we need to get home again. Having done the boat jobs, Elektra was ready, all we needed to do was load supplies, water, diesel. I had worked Monday to Thursday evening. Friday l was very busy out early to fill water tank and diesel tanks, once that was done it was off to our closest town for stuff and a haircut. Back home again, l had bought some dinghy folding wheels for Scilly, so l went to St Anthony to fit. Once back from doing that it was packing for holiday and loading pickup. We were going aboard Friday evening in order to stow everything without having to rush it in the morning. What we didn’t count on was the rain which decided to just as we left home. I grabbed a plastic gardening sheet before leaving. And we arrived down  at St Anthony in heavy rain, sat in the pickup and waited for it to ease. After 10mins it did and l grabbed the sheet and some bags and headed out down the pontoon, using the sheet to cover the stores. I parked the pickup and then started loading the dinghy, Vicki said “we aren’t going to get it all in” l said “yes l am, l don’t want to come back again!” Anyway we did and the rain started again after leaving the pontoon, Vicki covered the stores and pulled the sheet over her head leaving me to get wet and we motored slowly towards Elektra. Out at Elektra the rain eased again and Vicki climbed aboard, l passed the stores aboard, we nearly lost a box of beer bottles as the box had gone to pulp with the wet. Then the rain stopped and it turned into a lovely evening.

After a good night sleep we awoke, Vicki cooked breakfast and l got things ready to leave, lifting the outboard onto it’s pushpit mounting, dropping Elektra’s stern mooring strop in order to lift dinghy onto her davits. We wouldn’t be able to leave Carne Creek until 1000hrs but the tide stream wasn’t with us until 1440hrs, the plan was to motor to The Lizard Point against the tide stream and sail from there with the tide. We managed to float off and get out of Carne at 0945hrs and out of Gillan at 0955hrs, l had pulled the mainsail up as we motored out though Gillan Harbour. We passed the Nare Point 10mins later and headed for Manacle Buoy. Visibility was about 3nm. We passed Manacle Buoy at 1040hrs and headed for our way point off Black Head, it was then that the fog descended anywhere between 1/2nm and 200 yards. I wasn’t to concerned this close into land but l was worried about crossing to Scilly with shipping about. Vicki and me chatted about anchoring off  Mullion Cove. It was still bad at the Lizard Point but out to sea looking clear so we continued on passage. We passed the Lizard Point at 1225, still motoring, as we moved away from land the visibility increased to 8-10nm but the land was still covered in fog. Once 10nm west of the Lizard we could sail or motorsail, possibly would have sailed more but we didn’t want to arrive out in Scilly after dark. We arrived in St Mary’s Sound at 2000hrs and motored North across St Mary’s Road into the South end of New Grimsby Sound at around 1/2 tide and slowly motored in, the least depth we saw was 0.8m under keel, we anchored in Green Bay at 2100hrs having logged 62nm.

Sunday we just rested, never leaving Elektra, just enjoying the surroundings. After a week working and a day getting Elektra stowed and ready to go. Then followed by a long passage which l couldn’t rest, Sunday was the rest day.

Monday was for some shopping and pub lunch followed by a walk for me on Bryher, the afternoon turned into a beautiful sunny hot day for laziness in the cockpit.

Tuesday was more overcast but still warm, we enjoyed Green Bay and Bryher a little more.

On Wednesday we moved out around the North of Tresco, south down Old Grimsby Sound, east towards Tean Sound and anchored in The Neck of the Pool, south of St Martin’s. We quickly got ready and into the dinghy and ashore for a pub lunch at the Seven Stones Inn. Followed by a lovely afternoon in the sunshine aboard Elektra.

Just before dark l got out and took more pictures

The next day we fancied Fish&Chips from Adam’s on St Martin’s. I walked across the island to find out just where it was, decided after walk it would be to difficult for Vicki to manage. So we decided to motor Elektra around to Higher Town Bay and re anchor. For this we motored west out of anchorage, south and the southeast between the the rocks, least depth was 1m under keel before turning northeast into Higher Town Bay. There were 3 other yachts anchored there, we went a little closer in before dropping anchor. Within an hour all the other yachts had left and we were alone again. In the afternoon we went by dinghy over to the Eastern Isles to look at possible anchorages. OK by dinghy but having looked we don’t fancy going there to anchor, there’s lots of rocks, weed and looked very exposed compared to anchorages we normally use. Once back at Elektra,  we hadn’t been there long and another 0⁰yacht came and anchored, they couldn’t of got much closer it they tried. I had booked take away for 2000hrs, Vicki came and sat on the beach, while l got the chips. It had been another wonderful day followed by a lovely evening.

Friday we got out at first light and motored Elektra back to Green Bay just after high water. With the forecast being poor weather we wanted good shelter and Bryher seemed the right place. We dropped anchor close in as possible this time and put up Elektra’s cockpit enclosure for the heavy rain. We had a little rain on the way but we’re happily anchored before the heavy rain arrived. We stayed put for the rest of that day.

Saturday was much improved and we for Showers on Bryher and went for pub lunch at the New Inn on Tresco and shopping before enjoying a nice afternoon

Sunday we decided to move to Porth Conger, St Agnes. When Elektra was floating we motored her slowly out of Green Bay and southeast down New Grimsby Sound at about mid tide, south down St Mary’s Road, when we arrived Porth Conger was full of yachts, we didn’t bother even trying to get in there. So we turned North and headed for St Mary’s, just then the heavens opened and started pouring with rain, Vicki got me a coat, while motoring north a bumble bee decided to sting me on the cheek! When we arrived at Porth Loo just north of St Mary’s Harbour, it appeared to be very rolly so we didn’t anchor there either. In the end the decision was made and we headed back to Green Bay! When we arrived back our spot had been taken. So we found another and dropped anchor having logged 8nm. Later on, not being happy with our position we moved and re anchored, the cockpit enclosure went up again and we settled down for the evening.

On Monday we decided to go to St Mary’s on the ferry, l phoned at 0830 to check times, the reply was only one leaving Bryher today at 0900hrs, so it was a quick get ready and go!

Once on St Mary’s, the ferry docked to the end of the pier and Vicki had long walk into town, we went into the first cafe we came to for hot drinks and a bite to eat. We needed shopping but there wasn’t any hurry, so we sat for a while in a small park and enjoyed the sunshine. Next was the weekly shopping at the co-op, cheaper groceries here because co-op subsidise the shipping prices, so same as mainland. Next we had a pub lunch in The Atlantic lnn, it’s getting to be a bit of a habit, we almost never go in pubs on the mainland but we are on holiday.

After the pub lunch we headed back to the pier, the ferry wasn’t due to leave until 1430hrs but Vicki was finding the walking to much and needed to keep stopping to rest by sitting on every bollard along the pier, eventually finding a seat by the harbour office. I liked watching the ferry and trip boats coming and going. Eventually our turn came and we boarded for the return trip £6.50 each way we thought was very reasonable. Once back at Elektra we both fell asleep and it was 1830hrs when l awoke again. We sat in the cockpit during the lovely evening until the sun went down at 2100hrs.

On Tuesday after a lazy brunch, l went walking again on Bryher, the weather was hot on land and very pleasant with a cooler breeze on the water. After my walk we sat in the cockpit until around 1900hrs before retiring below because of the cool breeze. Cold cuts for dinner with egg cheese and pickles. And scrabble with a bottle of red bought the day to an end.

By Wednesday we had decided to leave Scilly on Thursday. So the idea was just to relax and enjoy the surroundings. We went to the Fraggle Rock Pub on Bryher for lunch and a beer, then came back to Elektra and enjoyed the rest of the day, had  drinks and chat with other sailing couple in Green Bay in the early evening. Lifted the engine from punt onto cockpit bracket and lifted then lifted the tender onto her davits before retiring below for cheese and biscuits.

On Thursday we were out at 0700hrs and weighed anchor by 0800hrs, we motored Elektra south out of New Grimsby and out though Crow Sound, south of Hat’s Buoy and on to a way point Crow entrance set coarse for Lizard Point 42nm away at 0850hrs. With no wind l set going the tiller pilot leaving Elektra to make her own way home while l just checked the course now and then. But l always keep an hourly written log in case of instrument failure. I can do navigation the old way in needed.

It was pretty boring motoring east on a mill pond, but it didn’t last as we approached the south bound shipping lane.  This wasn’t our first time but l have got to say we had to deal with more shipping on this passage than all the other passages put together. First we slowed down to let a car transporter pass in front of us. Then a tanker passed our stern closer than l would have liked followed by a container ship and before we were out of the lane another ship was heading down the lane. Once across the lane l was much happier. We were quite close to Wolf Rock light house, about 700ft south as we passed by. Then we had 3 spaced out ships coming round the Lizard Point heading for the North bound shipping lane. This approach almost head on, they were doing 12-15kts, passing us to port between us and Lands End.

l found altering course by 10-20 degrees early to starboard seemed to ease the situation and ships past by without any problems. The last one was more of a problem, l altered early as with the others which meant we closed on another yacht going our way. But the other yacht didn’t bother altering and motored into the ships course. So the ship had to do a bigger turn to starboard to get around her.

The wind filled in a bit and the other yacht put up a cruising chute, that was the last we saw of her,she disappeared astern as we didn’t bother as there still wasn’t much wind and we continued motoring. We passed the Lizard at 1640hrs and turned northeast towards Black Head, the wind turned as well, so was still blowing from astern. At Black Head we turned more to port for Manacle Buoy, still not enough to sail by but with the boom out we gained another knot. Rounding Manacle Buoy the wind changed again to Northwesterly so on the nose! When we arrived in Gillan at 1900hrs dropped anchor, we were glad to turn off the engine after 11hrs motoring! Having logged 59nm.

We stayed aboard that night at anchor, l did some packing of gear for leaving Elektra tomorrow. But we mainly relaxed in the cockpit and cabin after a long day.

Next morning we packed up and motored Elektra out to her swing mooring, got ashore and home by 1100hrs. After a fortnight’s holiday it seemed strange to be driving again. I haven’t heard any news for the whole time, has anything happened?

With the coming of the bank holiday weekend, Vicki would be away with her family and l was going to get on with boat jobs. As it turned out it wasn’t any good for sailing as now strong east winds were dominating the forecast. As you know by now if you read my blog, Elektra’s mooring is exposed to the full force of the English Channel from east winds. Knowing l had work to do we moved Elektra onto her gale proof mooring in Carne Creek at the end of our holiday, at that time we didn’t know east winds would be coming. I then had work for a week by the bank holiday weekend Elektra was neeped until the Wednesday following.

I had a transmission to change on one of my ride on mowers on Friday when Vicki left for the weekend which took up most of the day but once finished l could think about boat jobs.

Having been away for 2 single weeks on Elektra we had found some problems, one of the battery banks was failing, charging OK but not holding charge after night fall. Also the cooker which l had been serviced in the winter, we had found the knobs impossible to turn on or off when the cooker was hot! So once back from holiday l ordered new batteries and a new cooker.

Back at the end of the winter, l had ordered new Flexiteek panels for the companion way steps, galley and heads floors. The panels had arrived just before our holiday. Another job was to fit them, we also decided a saloon carpet would be nice. And I had some external GRP repairs, so l had quite a list to be going on with. I started with the swapping off of the old step grip surface.

I removed the steps and took home to my workshop to make working easier. The old stuff came off realitively easy, it was the glue which was the problem! Wouldn’t sand off because it clogged up the paper, the only way l found that worked was to scape off a flat bladed paint scraper, going over it 2 or 3 times! Sticking down the new stuff was quite easy in comparison. But l think it was worth the effort

Then l started on replacing the batteries. Not too much of a problem you would think but 3x 75ah and 2x 110ah batteries loaded into pick up, out of pick up into dinghy, out of dinghy into Elektra cockpit and from the cockpit into the cabin, few! You would think that was the worst of it but l still had to exchange the batteries and reverse the process with the old batteries! Better workout than any gym could provide!

Then it was the turn of the cooker, now the cooker wasn’t heavy but it was bulky and l wasn’t sure enough of myself to get it aboard Elektra on my own, so l asked the help of my friend Tony and between us we managed it easily. Fitting it was a little easier except l found l needed the compression fitting from 8mm cooker to 6mm gas pipe which l needed to order from the Internet. So fitting cooker was put on hold.

Back to the workshop and get on with the other floor panels and better raised cockpit seating. I had bought clear epoxy coating for the underside of floor panels and the cockpit seating. I hadn’t ever used epoxy, so it was a learning experience for me. The speed of the process impressed me, l had only ever used varnish in the past. Having done 3 coats the next day l was sticking on the panels. Using a offcut from our dining room carpet l cut a piece for Elektra’s saloon. I think the end result is very nice.

Eventually the new cooker fitting arrived and the cooker could be fitted just in time for our next holiday.

The next weekend we were aboard finding out if all was working. I still wasn’t happy with the batteries and with my investigations found out the batteries had been wired up in such away that the 2 110ah batteries were never being used! No wonder we were having problems. The domestic bank had only been 150ah with engine 75ah. Not the 220ah and 225ah which l thought l was using. To compound the problem l had changed the banks slightly with the new batteries to what l thought was 150ah and 295ah but the 295ah wasn’t getting used at all.

The easy way to solve this was to run them as just one big battery bank of 445ah for the time being until l could get the leads remade (not recommended but for the time being with new batteries worked) What a difference this discovery made to our battery management, l almost gave up looking at the monitor. We were now running the fridge 24/7, charging the phones and tablets, just using power with no worries.

This will be one of my winter jobs, changing the banks over to 75ah engine and 370ah domestic.

With more free time and good weather forecasted, we could have another week away, this time a little further away. The plan had been to sail to Fowey and from Fowey to Salcombe but the forecast was showing strong northerlies for Monday, where we normally anchor in Salcombe would be exposed to northerly wind, safe enough but we wouldn’t be able to get off Elektra safely.

So on Saturday 13th of May we sailed for Fowey, the tide was with us between 1000hrs and 1600hrs but by the time we were ready to leave it was already 1300hrs. Anyway we sailed out off Gillan under full sail with a forecast of NW force3-4. We were wondering why the wind seemed more like SE force3-4! Away still OK. We sailed on for 2hrs before the wind started to die off by which time we had logged 10.5nm. We had to start the engine before getting as far as the Dodman Point which we passed at 1600hrs. Having to continue to motor the rest of the way to Fowey, we picked up a mooring at 1730hrs having logged 24nm.

With the promised forecast, we decided to go to the Yealm River instead of Salcombe for a day and then on to Salcombe later. There wasn’t any need to get away early as the tide was with us between 1130hrs and 1730hrs. We dropped the mooring at 1100hrs and motored out of Fowey The forecast was again NW3-4. The wind started NW3 then NW2-3 then SE2-3 then Westerly 4-5, all of which made for difficult sailing. We sailed some, motorsailed some, motored some. Then later when the wind picked up from the west, l pulled down the main so we could go faster on just the genoa. We moored Elektra to the lower pontoon and 1615hrs having logged 24nm. We were very much alone as you can see from photo, not that we were worried but the harbour master seemed to be very worried that the season had started slowly.

Once there and settle, Vicki said “can we stay a few days, we can do Salcombe another time”. I was quite happy to do so, l have always liked the Yealm River, we had visited there almost every year from 2006 when we started cruising until 2018. In 2019 we went to the Avon River instead and then with the pandemic this was our first visit since 2018. So a few days holiday in the Yealm River followed. Lunch at the Ship Inn the following day after showers, a trip up to the top reaches of the Yealm River the following day. And a little shopping and a pint at another pub, you know holiday things 😀.

On Wednesday morning we left the Yealm River and headed over to Cawsands to anchor. Vicki cooked breakfast, sitting eating, it seemed Cawsands wasn’t as sheltered as we expected, so we decided to move on to our next destination earlier than planned.

Just after 1400hrs we left Cawsands for Polperro about 15nm to the west. With little or no wind we motored and motorsailed westward picking up a mooring in Polperro 3hrs later. We had visited Polperro before, around 2014, always said we would go back, but it had taken us longer than we thought. In Polperro you don’t want any Southerly swells, but good shelter we thought from the north. We were disappointed to find with strong northerly wind funnels down the valley, although safe was very blustery.

After 2 nights at Polperro we motored Elektra along the coast to Lantic Cove and and anchored, about 4nm to the west. This cove we had often looked at in passing by but never used. Having paid out money for moorings every night l was looking for a free night at anchor.

After dropping anchor, we wondered why hadn’t we ever anchored here before, it was a lovely spot. We were alone but not for long, by nightfall three other yachts had joined us in Lantic Cove. One of which was our friends Robert and Mandy, later they came over for a drink and a chat.

In the morning Robert and Mandy motored off to Fowey to a yacht rally. We would be heading back to Gillan but the tide wasn’t with us until 1040hrs so we weren’t in any hurry. The forecast said NE3-4 which would have been nice. At 1100hrs l lifted and stowed the anchor and we sailed off towards the Dodman Point, the wind seemed more like southeast and very little of it after 3/4hr we had logged 2nm so we started the engine. We tried sailing again a few more times during the passage but always started the motor again. We picked up our mooring in Gillan at 1520hrs having logged 24nm. That brought to an end our 2nd sailing holiday, l say sailing but l think we motored most of it! Still a nice holiday.

On Thursday afternoon the wind changed to southwest, we were no longer in good shelter so we decided to move at high water southwest back down the Precuil River to Place Manor, only 1/2 a mile away to re-anchor in much better shelter. Close enough now we could see St Mawes Harbour was very lumpy. Here anchored at Place, Elektra would dry completely 3hrs either side of low water. Our plan had changed to motoring back to Gillan Friday morning and get ashore before the tide went out completely.

After a very pleasant night at anchor on Friday morning after high water but before Elektra dried out at 0900hrs. I pulled up her anchor and Vicki motored Elektra out into St Mawes Harbour while l cleaned her anchor and fore deck. Then going back to the cockpit l took over the helm and set coarse for Gillan. It was a little lumpy in the entrance to the Carrick Roads with wind against tide but once out into Falmouth Bay it easied a lot. The easterly swells had completely gone, only a short southerly swell with the head wind remained. We could of sailed if we had left earlier but we needed to get Elektra onto her mooring and in via dinghy to St Anthony beach before 1000hrs, so no time to waist.

We made it in the nick of time, only having to pull the outboard out of the water a little on low revs just before the beach. Then it was home for breakfast.

With the promise of northwesterly force 3-4 we thought it would be good for sailing but the wind was lighter than forecasted. We didn’t leave until afternoon and sailed slowly south down the Carrick Roads and eventually out into Falmouth Bay where we thought there maybe more wind, but not much change. So we turned around and sailed for St Mawes and then motored up the Precuil River. Dropping anchor close in to the cliff due to strong east winds forecast for Tuesday evening to Thursday morning.

On Tuesday we went by dinghy to St Mawes Sailing Club for Showers and then on to St Mawes for lunch, shopping and ice cream. Then it was back aboard Elektra and hunker down for the easterly blow until Thursday.

At anchor that evening, the forecast for the rest of the week and weekend changed dramatically,  strong winds and rain to follow the easterly blow. The plan now was to get home as soon as possible after the easterly has passed on Thursday afternoon, we had a commitment which we were trying to get out of if we could. Elektra wouldn’t float until after 1330hrs, one of the joys of what is known as “ditch crawling” on the sailing game. But ditch crawling has a lot of advantages, now as l write this Wednesday afternoon, it’s  blowing force 6 gusting 7 from the east, we can hear the wind but we aren’t affected as we have great shelter in the shallows under a steep tree lined bank. Thursday afternoon was looking like a motor home (l know only 4nm of open water) but into a force 4 gusting 6 with a big underlying easterly swells, l wasn’t looking forward to it one bit!

Having semi retired from January this year, the plan had always been to use Elektra more. I have often heard from others in the past who had retired, l don’t know where l had the time to work. I must say it’s a very apt comment. I had been working hard to get Elektra ready for this season, not working less, just not working for money. Elektra had been launched earlier in April, then there was the riggers work. Also March and April had very poor weather and although only doing half of the grass cutting of other years, it took all the dry days available. Heading towards the end of April with the first week of May looking clear, l suggested to Vicki a week aboard, a shake down cruise to find out what else we needed. Vicki liked the idea, so it was arranged.

I had finished my grass cutting by the end of Wednesday as the forecast was giving strong winds and heavy rain for Thursday. I used Thursday to pick up my repaired outboard from Penryn and GRP products from St Day, for once the forecasters had got it right, with the drive to Penryn in heavy rain, from there the rain eased but there was a lot of flooding. It continued to rain the rest of the day, l would have tried the motor out but didn’t fancy going out in the rain.

Next day l was out early and took the motor along with some bags of stores, some cushions and the cockpit enclosure to St Anthony. First l changed the spare motor for the repaired outboard, then launched the dinghy. Took it out for a spin, just to make sure all was OK. The motor started 2nd pull and ran smoothly out and around St Anthony, l returned to the beach and loaded the bags of stores etc and then set off out to Elektra. Loaded them all onto Elektra and climbed aboard, unlocked and placed all in the cabin for stowing later. Then it was back in the dinghy to the pontoon and home for a coffee. Next l had groceries to pick up and pasties for lunch. Once back home it was loading more bags of stores into pick up and checking we had everything. We had lunch before leaving again for St Anthony, then in was carrying the stores from pick up to pontoon and from pontoon aboard the dinghy. Motoring slowly very heavy with stores out to Elektra, Vicki climbed aboard and l past up the stores to Vicki, once done  l climbed aboard to help with stowing. This stowing took a long time and l also lifted the motor off the dinghy onto Elektra’s pushpit and the dinghy onto it’s davits, by which time it was after 1500hrs.

It was 1555hrs before l pulled up the mainsail and cast off the swing mooring, Vicki took Elektra to sea while unfurled the genoa and set sails, Elektra was logging 2-3kts and with a little more adjustment from me she picked up to 3-4 kts until we got out into Falmouth Bay where the wind disappeared. So l started the engine and we motored towards Pendennis Point. Approaching Pendennis Point the wind filled in again, a Northwesterly force 3-4 and we were sailing again. We tacked North up the Carrick Roads until just south of Turnaware Buoy before starting the engine again and cabin heater, we motored into Channels Creek and dropped anchor at 1830hrs having logged 10nm.

That evening after the jobs were done, l fell fast asleep in the cosy cabin and it was dark when l woke. Vicki was playing a game on her ipad, l pulled the curtains and switched on the light and poured a rum for us both. That night l slept very well.

With almost no wind forecasted for the next 2 days we would be using as rest days. Sailing is only part of our enjoyment of cruising, we both like just living aboard and rest days are great. Vicki likes reading, sewing and playing games on ipad, l like reading sailing magazines, checking my phone emails and social media, rowing, walking and sleeping seems to happen more when aboard.

Normally l get out first and make a coffee for us both, then Vicki gets out and makes brunch, afterwards l wash up and Vicki drys, once the dishes have been put away the day is ours to do with as we want. Around 1830hrs Vicki puts on dinner and we eat at around 1930hrs. After dinner we normally play Supper Scrabble (twice the letters and bigger board) takes about 3hrs, we will listen to music and drink a bottle of red wine. We go to bed about 2300hrs. Some rest days are used for shopping and possibly a meal ashore, if we eat ashore we would only have cheese and biscuits in the evening.

We always had a a leaking window on the port side above the cooker, never enough to really worry about, a little puddle in a plate was about it. Over the winter the window had been leaking a little more but l had put in down to driving rain on that side. It was only the gales and heavy rain when Elektra was at the riggers that l really noticed how bad it had got. All the port side saloon cushions got very wet, something had to be done!

On Thursday last the weather was good to remove the window and investigate. My only problem was the tide would be out which meant carrying all the equipment, sealants and tools out across to Elektra on her gale proof mooring. The tide holds back and runs out slower than it does when coming in, which means wearing waders to walk through the stream.

I can park near enough but this involves carrying everything down over a steep bank to a 4ft stone retaining wall, down some rocks to the muddy creek banks, wade though the stream and then a 200 yard level walk out to Elektra over a mixture of gravel, sand and mud. With so much to carry l had to do 2 journeys.

Once out to Elektra, l could start removing the screws around the window while standing on my telliscopic ladder, l must say that they came out easier than l expected and window was easily removed. The old mastic had gone brittle and was crazed in lots of places, no wonder it was leaking!

Then l cleaned both window rebate and window surround to remove old mastic. It was a lovely dry blowy day idea for the job, as l have learnt in the past, l didn’t want any damp areas before resealing back in. Finally sanding to key in the new sealant.

Then apply the new sealant and screw window back into place

A few days later after heavy rain, l went out to Elektra to see if my efforts had been successful. I was very pleased to find they had been, not a drop of water anywhere aboard.

Saturday had been a lovely day on the water and when l got home l suggested a sail on Sunday to Vicki. But the next day wasn’t as nice and Vicki didn’t want to come. So l went alone, getting aboard at 1200hrs the weather forecast was for southerly force 3-4. Being alone and also as l was wanting to check stuff out, l just unfurled the genoa and set off in an easterly direction.

Elektra was logging between 3.5 – 4.5kts, she would have been a lot faster with the mainsail but l didn’t need to be going fast to check out the systems. The weather was misty, with visibility around 3 miles. The new 140% genoa was set nice and noticeably smaller than our old 150% sail, but l liked the cut proving better forward visibility. I continued to sail east for an hour before going about and heading back. I needed to get back to Gillan before 1530hrs so l could put Elektra on her gale proof mooring in Carne Creek.

I sailed right into Carr Crock buoy before starting the engine, rolled away the genoa and motored onto our swing mooring to pick up the dinghy. Then headed up river to Elektra’s gale proof mooring. With easterly force 5-6 forecasted from Tuesday to Friday Elektra will be much safer there. Also with work to do on her to get her into cruising ready mode, she would be in a calmer place for the work.