First 2 days: not Dartmouth, Fowey

Yesterday, Mon 23rd, we set off up wind intending Dartmouth, because easterlies are forecast for a week. Trouble was, we were a bit casual about the tidal streams ... in fact we hadn't looked at them. Turns out, very surprisingly, the West going stream continues 3 hours after Low Water. This means in effect that we were doing 3 knots instead of 5, so the 8 hour trip would take more than 12. Plus the wind was increasing beyond the forecast F3 to F4-5 right on the nose. So we did the sensible thing and turned round. We had a lovely sail back to Plymouth, and enjoyed a quiet night in our home berth. A first time for everything. 

Today we had a forecast of F4 ENE, bit more than yesterday. Heading downwind to Fowey and expecting more than forecast like yday, we set the Genoa only outside the marina expecting a hairy downwind ride. All went well for the first hour out of the Sound,  but then the flipping wind eased leaving us rolling in a biggish swell. Sirena IV does not go well downwind in light winds and medium waves, much rolling and crashing with v slow progress. So again we did the sensible thing and motored on to Fowey.

Fowey is beautiful and boaty as ever, and it's a lovely warm sunny afternoon & evening. We got a berth on a pontoon in the river opposite the lifeboat, and then watched 3 ex lifeboats of different eras turn up. They must be having a meet. (Pic). We got the Water Taxi to the Town Quay and had a wander, and an ice cream of course. We had to wait about 40 mins for the Water Taxi to take us back and £5 return for a 5 minute trip - not impressed. Dusk is arriving at 8pm but the river is still busy - Pic of gig rowing by with town behind - Pic of jellyfish drifting by.

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