So, on a very wet & windy night in Cornwall ……

[wizzer]

So, on a very wet & windy night in Cornwall, thoughts turn to next Spring & even Summer.
We’ve notched up a good few miles again this year aboard Perla, our Channel Island 32, between Falmouth & Isles of Scilly mainly, with a few trips up to Plymouth, taking in Mevagissey & Fowey along the way. Probably about 800 nautical miles in total.
The cost of diesel is a proper piss take, but, the YOLO factor must always be seriously considered. You can’t get it back.
The original plan for 2022 was; out of Falmouth, turn North at Lands End, maybe across to Ireland again, to visit our friends at Kilmore Quay, then carry on North, taking in the Crinan Canal, (again) onwards to the Caledonian Canal & basically, back down the East Coast. Those plans were delightfully scuppered with the announcement that our first granddaughter was due in July. Lily Grace was born on 24th July and has brought a new dimension to our lives. She is beautiful. Having lost my dear mother to dementia in September 2021, Lily Grace is a breath of fresh air & a daily reminder of what it’s all about.
We have recently been considering moving our boating base to Alicante, but, to be honest I already feel that this could be a serious case of “the grass is greener …..”.
When I look back at our boating this year, Perla has served us well. Very well.
I’ve also done a few select boat deliveries this year, including a Princess 42 from Mylor to Suffolk Yacht harbour, ably assisted by my cousin, Jason.
The Isles of Scilly are on our doorstep (65 Nm from Falmouth) and being there is magical. I have worked in the Med, training aboard a Fairline Phantom 46. Lovely boat, fantastic to be there. Also worked in Menorca, same drill.
Tresco, Bryher, St Marys, St Agnes, Gugh, St Martins, Samson, the Western Rocks, the Bishop light - I’m afraid there’s no comparison. Scilly has it all, on a decent day.
But, would I like to be based in Alicante, rather than Falmouth?
At the moment I’m thinking perhaps not, despite the sound of the rain beating against the windows as I write & the seemingly incessant strong winds.
Already looking forward to 2023 & making some more memories. It won’t be long until we can take Lily to the Isles …………..

 

[Bandit]

Same idea of long cruises after For the last four years, one grandchild summer 2019, one grandchild summer 2021, one summer 2022 and another due to launch summer 2023. Not all the same mother. It burrrers up summer cruising but would I change it not in a million years.

However from Falmouth not far to Brittany or CI great cruising area.

 

[Bouba]

So, on a very wet & windy night in Cornwall, thoughts turn to next Spring & even Summer.
We’ve notched up a good few miles again this year aboard Perla, our Channel Island 32, between Falmouth & Isles of Scilly mainly, with a few trips up to Plymouth, taking in Mevagissey & Fowey along the way. Probably about 800 nautical miles in total.
The cost of diesel is a proper piss take, but, the YOLO factor must always be seriously considered. You can’t get it back.
The original plan for 2022 was; out of Falmouth, turn North at Lands End, maybe across to Ireland again, to visit our friends at Kilmore Quay, then carry on North, taking in the Crinan Canal, (again) onwards to the Caledonian Canal & basically, back down the East Coast. Those plans were delightfully scuppered with the announcement that our first granddaughter was due in July. Lily Grace was born on 24th July and has brought a new dimension to our lives. She is beautiful. Having lost my dear mother to dementia in September 2021, Lily Grace is a breath of fresh air & a daily reminder of what it’s all about.
We have recently been considering moving our boating base to Alicante, but, to be honest I already feel that this could be a serious case of “the grass is greener …..”.
When I look back at our boating this year, Perla has served us well. Very well.
I’ve also done a few select boat deliveries this year, including a Princess 42 from Mylor to Suffolk Yacht harbour, ably assisted by my cousin, Jason.
The Isles of Scilly are on our doorstep (65 Nm from Falmouth) and being there is magical. I have worked in the Med, training aboard a Fairline Phantom 46. Lovely boat, fantastic to be there. Also worked in Menorca, same drill.
Tresco, Bryher, St Marys, St Agnes, Gugh, St Martins, Samson, the Western Rocks, the Bishop light - I’m afraid there’s no comparison. Scilly has it all, on a decent day.
But, would I like to be based in Alicante, rather than Falmouth?
At the moment I’m thinking perhaps not, despite the sound of the rain beating against the windows as I write & the seemingly incessant strong winds.
Already looking forward to 2023 & making some more memories. It won’t be long until we can take Lily to the Isles …………..

You should write books...your words are quite evocative ?

 

[wizzer]

Same idea of long cruises after For the last four years, one grandchild summer 2019, one grandchild summer 2021, one summer 2022 and another due to launch summer 2023. Not all the same mother. It burrrers up summer cruising but would I change it not in a million years.

However from Falmouth not far to Brittany or CI great cruising area.

Been to the Channel Islands a few times., with the RNLI, through work & also for leisure boating reasons. Delivered boats to & from there.
I still think the Isles of Scilly take some beating.
They are currently taking a beating from the weather.

 

[Dino]

There’s a good article by John Boyle in the latest MBY about cruising to Ireland. You could head to Kilmore Quay and then head west to Cork and Kerry. Lovely peaceful cruising grounds with great food a drink. The Scillies would be a good starting point too.

 

[Seastoke]

Hi wiz we are hoping to the Isles next season is it only anchoring .how I heard about the Isles I come from a small village called Tean , now many years ago. I was looking over someone’s shoulder looking at their paper and the headline was Murder in Tean !! I thought I don’t know of this ,so went and got a paper and it turned out it was on one of the Isles . So I have to go there.

 

[wizzer]

Hi wiz we are hoping to the Isles next season is it only anchoring .how I heard about the Isles I come from a small village called Tean , now many years ago. I was looking over someone’s shoulder looking at their paper and the headline was Murder in Tean !! I thought I don’t know of this ,so went and got a paper and it turned out it was on one of the Isles . So I have to go there.

The isle of Tean is next to St Martins. A truly magical place, which holds fond memories for us. There are a few visitors buoys in the channel between St Martins & Tean. To anchor off Tean is unforgettable. St Helens Pool.

 

[longjohnsilver]

So, on a very wet & windy night in Cornwall, thoughts turn to next Spring & even Summer.
We’ve notched up a good few miles again this year aboard Perla, our Channel Island 32, between Falmouth & Isles of Scilly mainly, with a few trips up to Plymouth, taking in Mevagissey & Fowey along the way. Probably about 800 nautical miles in total.
The cost of diesel is a proper piss take, but, the YOLO factor must always be seriously considered. You can’t get it back.
The original plan for 2022 was; out of Falmouth, turn North at Lands End, maybe across to Ireland again, to visit our friends at Kilmore Quay, then carry on North, taking in the Crinan Canal, (again) onwards to the Caledonian Canal & basically, back down the East Coast. Those plans were delightfully scuppered with the announcement that our first granddaughter was due in July. Lily Grace was born on 24th July and has brought a new dimension to our lives. She is beautiful. Having lost my dear mother to dementia in September 2021, Lily Grace is a breath of fresh air & a daily reminder of what it’s all about.
We have recently been considering moving our boating base to Alicante, but, to be honest I already feel that this could be a serious case of “the grass is greener …..”.
When I look back at our boating this year, Perla has served us well. Very well.
I’ve also done a few select boat deliveries this year, including a Princess 42 from Mylor to Suffolk Yacht harbour, ably assisted by my cousin, Jason.
The Isles of Scilly are on our doorstep (65 Nm from Falmouth) and being there is magical. I have worked in the Med, training aboard a Fairline Phantom 46. Lovely boat, fantastic to be there. Also worked in Menorca, same drill.
Tresco, Bryher, St Marys, St Agnes, Gugh, St Martins, Samson, the Western Rocks, the Bishop light - I’m afraid there’s no comparison. Scilly has it all, on a decent day.
But, would I like to be based in Alicante, rather than Falmouth?
At the moment I’m thinking perhaps not, despite the sound of the rain beating against the windows as I write & the seemingly incessant strong winds.
Already looking forward to 2023 & making some more memories. It won’t be long until we can take Lily to the Isles …………..

Hi Wizer, I think I saw your very fine CI32 In Sutton Harbour this summer? Am i right in thinking it was you who bought the very neglected (but almost new) Seaward also from Sutton?
Anyhow, I have a little knowledge of both CI’s, having owned 2 for almost 20 years, and the area around Alicante, having an apartment nearby and also a small boat there. In fact this time last week I was busy putting the boat to bed in glorious sunshine having had the most settled 2 weeks we’ve had in 6 years, flat calm, light breeze, warm seas, 24C and continuous sunshine without it being too hot. We had planned on bringing the boat back to Devon with us to sell because of lack of use, but those 2 weeks changed our plans! If you are thinking of taking your CI32 over to Alicante, my advice would be, don’t do it!! We also love cruising between Lyme Bay and IoS, and I can say that there is nothing around Alicante to match the beauty of the various bays and harbours in Devon and Cornwall. If you do want the guaranteed sun and heat of Spain then I’d recommend buying a day boat a little larger than our Jeanneau 4.7, that will be able to cope with the almost daily chop created by the lunch time breezes. There are of course a few moderately attractive bays, but nothing to rival the many anchorages in Scilly and the bays and rivers of Devon and Cornwall.
Also I think you would find your CI32 far too hot for comfort in Spain, even with all the windows and doors open. Unless of course you have aircon, which I’m guessing you don’t!
If i were thinking afresh about keeping a boat in Spain I would take a good look at Santander and the N coast, lots of sheltered bays and inlets, fabulous beaches, great food, all very reminiscent of lots of the W Country but on a much larger scale, and with sun! Here’s a few pics I took last month. Ah, now I remember one of the reasons I’ve given up on this forum, I can’t easily post pics. If you’d like me to send you a few, PM me with your email address.

 

[KINGFISHER 8]

I lived in Scilly on 3 occasions when growing up. I worked on the boats as a teenager which first got me interested.
The only thing Scilly hasn't got is seawater at a civilised temperature! I live in the South of France now and the Summer sea temp in the marina gets up to 25 which for me is still too cold! I'm lucky enough to have an indoor swimming pool - that stays at 30 degrees! I use it every day! The Isles of Scilly is one of the best possible places in the world where you could live or retire to.

 

[wizzer]

You should write books...your words are quite evocative ?

Ta, just an honest observation

 

[wizzer]

Hi Wizer, I think I saw your very fine CI32 In Sutton Harbour this summer? Am i right in thinking it was you who bought the very neglected (but almost new) Seaward also from Sutton?
Anyhow, I have a little knowledge of both CI’s, having owned 2 for almost 20 years, and the area around Alicante, having an apartment nearby and also a small boat there. In fact this time last week I was busy putting the boat to bed in glorious sunshine having had the most settled 2 weeks we’ve had in 6 years, flat calm, light breeze, warm seas, 24C and continuous sunshine without it being too hot. We had planned on bringing the boat back to Devon with us to sell because of lack of use, but those 2 weeks changed our plans! If you are thinking of taking your CI32 over to Alicante, my advice would be, don’t do it!! We also love cruising between Lyme Bay and IoS, and I can say that there is nothing around Alicante to match the beauty of the various bays and harbours in Devon and Cornwall. If you do want the guaranteed sun and heat of Spain then I’d recommend buying a day boat a little larger than our Jeanneau 4.7, that will be able to cope with the almost daily chop created by the lunch time breezes. There are of course a few moderately attractive bays, but nothing to rival the many anchorages in Scilly and the bays and rivers of Devon and Cornwall.
Also I think you would find your CI32 far too hot for comfort in Spain, even with all the windows and doors open. Unless of course you have aircon, which I’m guessing you don’t!
If i were thinking afresh about keeping a boat in Spain I would take a good look at Santander and the N coast, lots of sheltered bays and inlets, fabulous beaches, great food, all very reminiscent of lots of the W Country but on a much larger scale, and with sun! Here’s a few pics I took last month. Ah, now I remember one of the reasons I’ve given up on this forum, I can’t easily post pics. If you’d like me to send you a few, PM me with your email address.

Indeed you would have seen Perla in Sutton. We have been in there several times this year.
One of our favorite places. Just 40 miles from Falmouth.
Thanks so much for your observations on my post. You have endorsed our thoughts entirely.
It was indeed me who bought the Seaward 25 from there too. A few years ago. What a fine boat she is, currently on the West coast of Ireland & now named “Magenta”.
Spot on.

 

[Bandit]

Been to the Channel Islands a few times., with the RNLI, through work & also for leisure boating reasons. Delivered boats to & from there.
I still think the Isles of Scilly take some beating.
They are currently taking a beating from the weather.

if you have Visited Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney for RNLI it could be a busmans holiday, but visit the French coast and call in at Guernsey for a low price diesel pitstop currently from the Tanker 100.5ppl
If you have not cruised the French coast it is excellent cruising from Honfleur to Ile de Re.
Why Carteret and St Cast have substantially warmer seawater I do not know but it is.

You don’t need to do great distances to see some great scenery and a change of town.

My favourites Carteret, St Cast and Roscoff. The paperwork is doable.

If you want any ideas on good ports of call drop me a pm.

 

[Farmer Piles]

Hi Wizzer, we will have to keep an eye out for each othwer on the water. I'm off Weir at Restronguet, a white Aquador 32 called Molly. Pretty sure that she is the only one on the Fal. We moved up from a sportsboat earlier this year, slowly getting to know Molly, overnights on the Helford, St Mawes, a trip to Fowey and one to the Scillies. The Scillies being the highlight.
Anyway, on from the above. I really agree with Bandit, we used to do boys' trips on my mate's Beneteau. We enjoyed Guernsey and Jersey but a highlight was Ile de Chausey just to the south. Like a warmer Scilly but with 13m tides.
We also went to St Malo, lovely. Other trips we went down as far as Belle Ile visiting Ile de Groix, Ushant, Camaret, Benodet, Lorient - for the U boat pens.
Great trips and great places to visit.