Talora Chasing Tides

This was the day that Ray and I had been most apprehensive about, sailing the North Cornish coast rounding Lands End. Vela was also making the same journey so at least we knew we would have company. The Padstow lock gate opened at 7.30am and 5 yachts left the harbour. As we turned towards the mouth of the estuary, even though it was a good 2 miles away, we could see the rollers. I knew then that it was going to be rough and shouted across to Louise "It looks rough!" She replied, "if it is, we'll go back".
Well, the waves were huge and really close together in the entrance to the estuary. The further we got out to sea the bigger the Atlantic swells became. Some of the swells were so big, we lost sight of Vela, including her mast, in front of us. I had never experienced a sea like this, Ray seemed happy and we agreed to continue. The weather forecast was force 3 to 4 and the conditions went on for a couple of hours at least. At one point, I took my eye of the sea for a second and a wave took me by surprise, I was totally terrified! Ray could see how terrified I was but we had passed Newquay; it was too late to turn back. Rather than tell me that there is nothing we can do and we will just have to grin and bear it, which is what he would normally say, Ray tried to distract me by talking about all sorts of rubbish. I knew that was what he was doing and was so grateful because it worked. Thankfully, the whole 12 hour journey was not like that. There were times when the sea flattened out and it was quite pleasant but then the swells would return. Off Sennen cove the sea was like being in a washing machine and as we past Lands End the sea was fine but as we rounded the Ronnel Stone, the swells returned and we had a rough ride round into Mounts Bay towards Newlyn. As we rounded Lands End, the Coastguard relayed a May Day call from a vessel off the Lizard, who had a man overboard, a stark reminder of the dangers involved in a journey like this. Thankfully, within 20 minutes, the Coastguard reported that the vessel was under tow and all persons were accounted for. After seeing our first basking shark just off the coast, we arrived in Newlyn at 1835. It had been a very stressful, scary, challenging day and I was very glad to be on dry land. Although we were so pleased with ourselves to have achieved that passage, it was not a day I would want to repeat. Talora was fantastic and took it in her stride. After tea and cake onboard Talora with Mike and Louise to discuss our experience, we all got a well deserved early night in the knowledge that we would be doing it all again tomorrow. Photo passing Lands End.