Delivery trip photos - Plymouth to Cardiff

[Matt]

On yacht Poppea

s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa179/Noboat_Matt/Plymouth%20to%20Cardiff%20-%20Feb%202012/

[sheila]

Not good enough Matt!!!
Nice photos but I was expecting the story! And what was that brown furry thing - the ship's rat? Put some effort in to it man!

Went to the pontoon and had a cup of tea on Poppea this afternoon. Lovely. I heard one version of the trip, let's have yours!

[Matt]

Having the time Sheila…having the time....

We all met up at CYC at 10am on the Thursday and were driven to Plymouth by Lyndon, accompanied by his dad to take the 7 seater car home. The journey down was non eventful apart from going across on the chain ferry and negotiating the tiny narrow lanes to the west of Plymouth some of which had the blindest bends I’ve ever seen. It was a lovely sunny day when we first saw ‘Poppea’, our home for the next few days, a Mirage 28 type vessel. She was moored in a very picturesque river in the countryside. There were problems with the battery and the engine but Peter who is a chippy and Allan used to dealing with marine emergencies seemed to sort these problems out. There were a few cute field mice running up and down the pontoons and up peoples backs! Funny little fluffy things. Our intention was to leave Friday morning but it was such a lovely day that we left soon after the tide rose at 5.30pm on the Thursday to try and get a head start on things. On leaving Plymouth sound we came across a large Belgian warship with a huge radar spinning looking for threats. It started to get dark.

It was a calm evening and we saw a number of various vessels under way and at anchor in the sound and beyond. A couple of hours passed and in the darkness a number of dolphins were seen darting from port to starboard which was great as I’d never seen them in the flesh as it were. We started a watch system of 3 hours on 3 hours off. Me and Allan started the ball rolling and brought Poppea around the stern of a large tanker to the NE of the Lizard. Peter and Lyndon took over and entered the Lizard. We had discussed this rough patch of water before entering it and the pilot guides and various other literature suggest keeping 3-5 miles outside of it. The wind was not in the right direction and we the tide had just started to turn against us so the guys had a hard time fighting to get anywhere. I was trying to sleep in the forecabin and was tossed around like a sock in a washing machine. I had no sleep with the bumpy ride and when I got up to go on watch felt decidedly sick. I immediately took the tiller to steady my constitution and was glad I did. The waves were choppy and confused and Poppea had not made much ground. Myself and Allan did some more hours in it before coming out the other end. Lyndon had the same sick feeling when he awoke. All in all I think we were locked in the Lizard for about 8 hours just seeing the same old lighthouse hour after hour not moving. It was quite disheartening.

We unanimously made the decision to head for Newlyn and were glad we did as just before we got into the harbour it started blowing and raining. It was a safe haven full of fishing vessels of all shapes and sizes. After mooring up we walked up to the village and I’m sure Lyndon must have been hallucinating from the previous turmoil as a number of gulls were pecking at some dogfish but Lyndon insisted it was a seal and was only persuaded otherwise after much convincing. He kindly bought us all fish and chips in the fisherman’s social club which were much needed and afterwards headed for the ‘Swordfish’, a small local pub on the harbour. Being on the end of the Cornish peninsular and pretty remote the locals were very friendly at having ‘strangers’ in their bar and I’m sure the hole pub turned around to look at us as we entered. We had a couple of jokes aimed at us asking if we were the band tonight or if we were all Santa’s (as all had red oilies) ready for Christmas. All night were asked where we were from and heading, etc. An inquisitive lot. The ample bar maid kindly took our wet clothes and hung them over the bar to dry. A local who seemed to have knowledge of the area told us not to set off the next day as it would be too rough. Newlyn is a good place to moor up for the night, highly recommend it as I’m sure the others will agree.

All of us slept well but the boat was rocking most of the night (from the wind outside not in). Bacon and hot dog sandwiches started the morning off and the wind died down. We decided to go out of the harbour get around the corner and see what the weather was doing (very scientific this sailing lark). There are quite a few pot buoys around this stretch of coast and we had to dodge a few and keep our eyes peeled through the frosty morning air. When we reached Lands end it was a lovely sunny day and really calm sea. Is this the treacherous Lands end that send sailors to their doom and where many ships have come to grief? Maybe another day but today it was stunning. In fact I’d have to say it was the highlight of the trip for me. The sea was a beautiful blue green and reflecting the sun off it superbly. We passed between Longships on the inside passage, got the cruising chute up and carried on after NE up the Cornish coast all the way at about 60 degrees, passing St Ives, Newquay and then onto Hartland point where it got very misty and no wind. The engine went on again. There were also a lot of fishing vessels out darting around and it was difficult to estimate their range. We didn’t have a fixed GPS, only a paper map but turned on our phones for GPS position from time to time and steered on compass 99% of the time. Also we only used the nav lights when other ships were around to conserve battery power due to the fact that the alternator was not charging.

The mist didn’t burn off until we got into the Bristol Channel and the tide turned against us. Allan who knows the area well suggested hugging the cliffs tightly in to maintain our speed against the tide. This worked well and I was surprised at how close a boat can go near these cliffs (quite nail biting). I’ll know next time. We went past Ifracombe, Watermouth, Coombe Martin and Lynmouth before turning NE across to the Welsh coast. As we were crossing it started to get dark and we passed Aberthaw and Barry eventually approaching Cardiff where Lyndon took the help of his new boat in her permanent mooring at CYC.

Before the trip I was a bit apprehensive going in February as it is going to be cold and the weather is likely to be bad. As it was, yes it was cold, especially in the night but it could have been worse. There was no snow or ice experienced. Also I’ve never done a trip as long or as far as this (my experience is in the Bristol Channel only) so it was a challenge for me personally. As usual with sailing there are lots of periods where nothing happens and others where it is frantic. We were kept warm by ski/sailing gear and many layers of clothes (this is essential) as well as the many cups of hot tea and delicious meals that were cooked whilst on the go. All of us got on well and there was lots of camaraderie and banter on the journey. Thanks to all who made it such a great adventure ;D


Matt

[sheila]

That's more like it Matt! Great account.

[Habso]

Good write up, Matt. Many thanks to you, Allan and Pete for helping to bring Poppea home at last.

[louiseishtar]

Great trip report Matt, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it

[vikingsmb]

Sounds a great report, loved reading about it. Allan sure knows the area by the sounds of it.
like the idea of hugging the cliffs to combat the tide

[allan]

Let's not get silly about this. Boats have been creeping up the channel over hundreds of years, some of them at night. Had we touched one of the rocks, I'm sure comments would have been different.
Allan

[Cardiff Yacht Club]

Another thumbs up for the write up. Sounds like all went well. Good for you, too Matt. I've been to Ireland, but I've never been 'round Land's end!