Despite having said on my previous blog entry that we would only be heading into Falmouth under dire circumstances, we are now tied up on a pontoon in King Harry Passage, River Fal, Falmouth! Following a pretty good start with the weather, the steady change in forecast outlook and sea state was beginning to concern me. As Tuesday continued, the wind was steadily increasing to Force 7 and whilst not a problem in itself with Quasar IV, the sea state was degenerating rapidly into a confused sea, waves coming from multiple directions. By 1400 hrs, we were about 40 Nm from Falmouth and I took the decision to return to a haven on the South Coast at Falmouth. I am glad we did. Approaching Falmouth, downwind, the boat was travelling at 10 knots under 20% genoa only, no mainsail, with our wind instruments recording 35 knots from behind, so we were in a 45 knot steady wind, a Force 9 on the Beaufort Scale. Given time to build, this would result in 7 to 10m average wave heights at sea, ie taller than a two story house to the chimney! The photo shows Mark A at the wheel during an earlier stage of the escapade before the sea had really picked up. On arriving safely in the River Fal at 2100 hrs, I again checked the weather forecast which indicated steadily worsening conditions in Biscay over the next three to four days, so the decision to return was welcomed by all on board. We saw no other yachts at sea despite covering 40Nm, not a good sign! Mark unfortunately has now had to depart us as his window for the crossing has now expired. The next favourable forecast for crossing 'The Bay' is looking at a departure next Tuesday, no earlier, so we are relaxing on the pontoon at the moment and will undertake more repairs and extra preparation work during the week to help us on the next attempt where we will be a little short handed unless I find a willing volunteer very quickly. In 17,000Nm of sailing, this is the first time we have ever had to turn back and I do not regret it. Sailing is all about enjoying yourself and the line between being adventurous and being stupid has to be trodden carefully. When the sea is unhappy, it takes no prisoners. On our way back in to Falmouth during the afternoon, over 20Nm from land, the RNLI offshore lifeboat was heading out into the Western Approaches at 25knots into a Force 9 severe gale and atrocious sea conditions to no doubt assist or rescue a boat having a far worse day than us. Tonight? A Thai curry and decent bottle of red wine I think, moored next to a beautiful Falmouth Pilot Cutter, possibly with a few interesting stories to exchange under the tilley lamp on deck :-)