16 March 2021

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!

8 comments:

  1. Lovely blog and we wish you well with your travels. I look forward to reading some of the earlier posts and keeping track on your forthcoming adventure. The scilly Isles are delightful by the way. Tanya Fearless Feat Sailing.

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    1. Thank you Tanya. Likewise, we'll be keeping an eye on your adventure too. Making this decision has certainly thrown challenges in our direction but we hope we can live more lightly on the planet and learn a lot about who we are.

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  2. Hi hope you are both keeping well in the current climate we're in. We're ok here. Keep us posted on your diary.

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    1. Hi Iva, we've faced a few challenges that's for sure, but we're both fine. We're certainly learning to live differently!

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  3. Very exciting Dave. I'm sure you and Bridget will have sussed out this navigating malarkey in no time! How hard can it be?? X

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    1. Navigating is pretty straightforward, it's avoiding the rocks that's the tricky bit!!!!

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  4. Sounds exciting! Let us know when you get to Milford and (restrictions allowing) we’ll come and meet you. Xxx

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    1. Hi Jacky, will do. Hopefully we'll be there before the end of April xx

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