07:30 Anchor was raised and we motored out of the River Helford.
Today is all about sailing and nothing else. Having firstly sailed west in a westerly, secondly sailed west with little wind, today we have the best of all conditions.
The northerly wind was steady and set for the day. Steady northerlies, 16 kts of wind, little fetch, beam reach, smooth seas and our goal within distance for an afternoon arrival. Today it may be possible to complete our ‘Quest for the West’. ETA 15:30.
Lizard leg 15 NM, Lands End leg 20 NM, Isle of Scilly leg 25 NM Total 60 NM.
The first leg towards the Lizard Point had winds from behind across the rear quarter. All very manageable and rounding close to the Point was straightforward with no turbulence or undercurrents.
10:00 We turned to head west across Penzance Bay. The sails were taught and the wind squeezed between the aerofoils. We were flying along at a fast 9 kts.
12:00 The wind began to build higher and higher to 23 kts gusting to 27 kts. This was much higher than the forecast and the waves began to build. Soon we will reach Lands End and headed out into open seas with no land for protection. The sails were reefed down and our boat speed dropped back to 7 kts. The seas were building and waves were getting higher.
12:30 Lands End We had reached the point of no return and the yacht met the challenge. Onwards rising above the waves as crests of spray fell over the decks. Only 3 hours to our destination, the Isles of Scilly.
16:00 The rocky outline of the islands was a welcome sight. The winds did not abate and we continued along the northern coast of St Martin before entering the narrow entrance to New Grimsby Sound. Phew.
16:30 Arrived and picked up a mooring buoy. Today was all about sailing.
Our ‘Quest for the West’ has now been completed. Three days of sailing in quite different weather conditions.
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