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!
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.
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
DeleteHi hope you are both keeping well in the current climate we're in. We're ok here. Keep us posted on your diary.
ReplyDeleteHi Iva, we've faced a few challenges that's for sure, but we're both fine. We're certainly learning to live differently!
DeleteVery exciting Dave. I'm sure you and Bridget will have sussed out this navigating malarkey in no time! How hard can it be?? X
ReplyDeleteNavigating is pretty straightforward, it's avoiding the rocks that's the tricky bit!!!!
DeleteSounds exciting! Let us know when you get to Milford and (restrictions allowing) we’ll come and meet you. Xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Jacky, will do. Hopefully we'll be there before the end of April xx
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