Cruising in French in the West Country

Published 11:01 on 4 Jul 2023

Our trip on ÄòCrazy GooseÄô was foreshortened a bit by the NE wind which prevented skipper Georges from leaving Saint-Vaast for over two weeks, but we managed to get to the Scillies, if not Ireland, and visit most of the usual ports on the way there and back in two weeks, before the weather began to show signs of deteriorating.In Plymouth we went up the Smeaton Tower on the Hoe, and then sailed on to Falmouth via the Eddystone to complete the homage to the famous engineer, arriving in Falmouth as Classics Week was happening, which meant lots of interesting boats in the roads, and more than enough sea shanties ashore!We made our way out to the Lizard, hoping to pick up the forecast S wind, which then carried us on a swift reach to St Agnes, where we anchored for two nights in order to walk the island and its extension Gugh. The TurkÄôs Head at the anchorage on St Agnes has the best view, the best beer and the best fish and chips in the world, or at least this part of it!A trip among the Western Rocks to spot seals was followed by a quick visit to St MaryÄôs, and on the day of the solstice we headed up towards New Grimsby Sound, again passing through the rocks to get there. This enabled us to visit Tresco and its gardens, and walk round Bryher, for a couple of days before taking a brisk SW wind back all (or most of) the way to Salcombe, arriving there in the dark (not recommended!), and then going on to Dartmouth the next morning. After a brief stop in Dartmouth, to walk up to the daymark, etc, we joined the CCSC cruise to cross back to Portland last Monday, in time for me to join the committee boat for the Squib Nationals for the rest of the week. Georges went on to the Solent to see about having heating fitted to the boat Äì I hope to see him again when we arrive on Friday in Saint-Vaast for the Tour des Ports de la Manche aboard ÄòPantherÄô!Steve Fraser

Last updated 17:21 on 20 August 2024