Trying to Make Plans

 

We’re definitely starting to get itchy feet and we’re ready to move on.  However……  First we have to get the keel bolts replaced to give us peace of mind for our big adventure.  I don’t think there is any imminent danger of the keel falling off, but as everyone we have spoken to has said, the only way to know for sure is to have the bolts drawn and replaced.  The bolts have been in situ for over 55 years so I just hope they come out without too much trouble.  To have this work done we are going to take WW up to Gweek Boatyard at the head of the Helford River in Cornwall.  This is a drying river so we need a good spring tide behind us to give sufficient water to navigate.

 

The other issue this has given us is that we won’t be able to live aboard whilst the work is being done.  A combination of Covid restrictions and the high cost of accommodation in Cornwall has certainly exercised our brains, not to mention our purse strings, over the past few weeks.  Thankfully we have found somewhere we can stay for a fortnight at the beginning of April.  It’s far from cheap but we have ended up with little choice.  I just hope we can complete the work in two weeks and then get back on board.  Fingers crossed.

 

 

None of this stops us from planning though.  In a ‘Big Hand, Small Map’ kind of way our plan is to sail first to South Wales, then the coastline of Wales from South to North, and then on to the West coast of Scotland, perhaps over-wintering there.  Sounds simple doesn’t it?  Then you look at the detail.  The first stage, heading for Milford Haven, involves navigating around Land’s End and the mouth of the Bristol Channel.  We have several options.

The first option is to aim for the Isles of Scilly, then strike out directly for Milford Haven.  The second option is to follow the coastline of Cornwall around Land’s End and up as far as Padstow, before crossing the Bristol Channel.  I am currently looking at charts and the almanac to see how these options develop.  Either way, we have some long sailing legs to contend with.  Given that we haven’t done any overnight sailing in WW yet it’s a little daunting, but what’s life if not a challenge?  WW is more than capable, but are we?

 

Any thoughts or advice gratefully received.  We are always open to suggestions.  Of course all of this depends on actually being able to go anywhere under current Covid restrictions!  Per Ardua Ad Mare!