10:30 A wind shift to southerlies has just arrived and this significant change of direction allows a heading due west. We planned a short passage towards Portmellon, one mile south of Mevagissey. Winds forecast S 14kts.
Navigation aids are essential objects that are strategically placed in our waters or on the shoreline. A green cone (and green flashing light) is always "leave to starboard of the vessel" when heading into port. In other words it is positioned on the right-hand side of a channel. A red can (red flashing light) is "leave to port" and is positioned on the left-hand side. A lighthouse can have lights showing red- white-green sectors. This colour arrangement highlights the left-safe-right sides of a channel at night.
11:00 Leaving the harbour entrance, we left the red buoy to starboard, and rounded Rame Head. We were set for close haul sailing and best to windward. And who should pass on their way to Fowey ?
14:00 A coastguard weather warning was transmitted on channel 16 for strong winds. Time to change direction and head into a sheltered anchorage. Dodman Point just happened to be in the way, so we reefed the sails and tightened the sheets to pinch up and miss the headland. The Bellows (underground rocks 6 metre) created some choppy water and the wind was strengthening.
18:00 Our safe anchorage was in sight as the wind gusted 25 kts max. We left the green buoy to starboard at the entrance to this picturesque valley. We anchored off Trebah Beach in a depth of 4 metres and laid out 25 metres of anchor chain. Set for the night.
We watched Phoenix arrive and drop anchor. It was sailing for 12 hours to get here. And now it was time to sleep. Zzzzz
Experience Sailing 