Talora Chasing Tides

It's been a busy week and I am so behind with the blog due to no internet access or electric, so having to conserve iPad power for essentials like checking the weather which, it feels like we are doing almost hourly.
Since my last update we have come so far.....
On Sunday 13th we rounded the Lizard and sailed into Falmouth in shorts and t-shirts, but avoided the marinas and continued up the river Fal to a small anchorage, arranged by Neil, called Smugglers Moorings. We spent a lovely, sunny afternoon with Neil and the family who had piloted us up the river on their own boat.
On Monday, we headed to Fowey in the knowledge that it was Fowey Week, their regatta, not great timing, but we were followed, and eventually overtaken, by a flotilla of working boats going to the regatta. Very pretty! We were able to pick up a mooring buoy in the harbour and went ashore by river taxi to meet Mark and Karen for a meal. On the way back to the boat we were treated to a firework display and Talora was covered in firework ash, nothing that a good clean would not put right!
The sail to Plymouth was lovely; Ray reminiscing about his journeys into and out of the harbour in navy ships. On Wednesday we took the train to Dawlish and spent a very relaxing and much needed break with Kevin and Diane. No plans, just sleeping in, watching a bit of TV and a huge roast enjoyed with the family.... heaven!
On Friday 18th, their 44th wedding aniversary, we had a fish and chip lunch to celebrate then they returned us to the boat to prepare to set off on Saturday. The sail to Dartmouth on Saturday was very unpleasant, with a following sea and westly wind. Poor Ray spent 7 hours fighting with the tiller trying to keep the bow facing forward and not turning us into the troughs. I was not strong enough to hold it so could offer him no help at all. Exhausted, him from the physical effort and me from the stress! .... we eventually arrived in Dartmouth at 1630 and picked up a mooring buoy up the river at Dittisham. Vela, Mike and Louise, were already there and came over on their tender for tea.
The next day, we had intended to leave for Weymouth but, on checking the weather forecast at 6am, the rain and wind were coming, so we texted Mike and Louise and told them we were staying put, their text back "Us too".
The crossing from Dartmouth to Weymouth yesterday Monday 21st felt never ending. 60 miles and 12 hours, having to time our crossing of Lyme Bay to catch the Portland Race at the right time. The weather, finally, was amazing. Again it was shorts and t-shirt weather. We did it but we're exhausted.
Today we were supposed to leave for Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight but faced with an easterly force 6 wind later on and a small water leak in the engine, we are spending the day sorting that out and hope to leave tomorrow. The weather has been so inconsistent this summer and the winds so high.
Time is running out. We only have two weeks to go before I have to be back at work. We think we can just make it if we don't have any more weather hold ups! Keep your fingers crossed for fair winds to carry us home.
Photo is Smugglers Moorings at Falmouth, my favourite place so far!