Lizard. Wikipedia describes these as 'A widespread group of squamate reptiles ranging across all continents except the Antarctic.' On Ruffian we describe The Lizard as a flipping windy, flipping rolly, headland on the way to Falmouth that were flew by at what felt like warp speed 9. So why did we fly by The Lizard; that's all about the 7 P's, Proper Planning and Preparation prevents Piss Poor Performance. We wanted to get to Falmouth sharpish to start prepping for our impending trip across one of the most feared stretches of water in Nothern Europe. The Bay of Biscay. We also had a social calendar forming that would be the envy of Mandrake from the Telegraph.

We upped anchor at Newlyn with a background of St Michaels Mount bound for Falmouth where we could start getting through the list of jobs that needed doing before 'hopping' across to Spain when the weather is right. Sailing into Falmouth and past The Lizard was super super windy and winding our way through all the shipping was reminiscent playing Frogger in 1985. We were the plucky frog taking on lanes of fast moving traffic. Once into the harbour we took anther step back in time from 1985 to 1885, as we had a gaff rigged working boas to port and gig rowers to starboard. Instantly the heritage of this ancient maritime centre was making itself known.

At the town anchorage the tankers outside the harbour were forgotten and our focus was diverted to all the anchored boats in an area that was the same size as a pair of pants that would be donned by the finest of supermodels, ie teeny tiny. After putting the anchor down 3 times we finally managed to find a space that wouldn't cause us, or anybody else a problem when the wind blew as forecast and went to the southwest. Blow it did, rain it did, boy did it rain, but all was happy as we'd abided by the 7 P's.

Our appointment list in Falmouth is extensive but one that we have been looking forward to was with a rigger. This guy would tune our mast to make us super fast upwind and most importantly give us faith that it wasn't about to fall down. With rigging screws being done and undone, stays shortened and tuned Ruffian was given a clean bill of health. So now, although we are never happy going upwind, as gentlemen never go upwind, we know that we should point higher and have more control of the power in the mast than ever before. We also had a chance meeting at the marina where we happened to 'bump' into a friend randomly who is in Falmouth working with UK Olympic Sailing team. The sailing world really is small and incestuous.

Next up, was seeing Henry and Charlie who live in Truro way up at the top of the river Fal, so up river we went. As we progressed we were surrounded with impossibly pretty little cottages, country homes that wouldn't look out of place in period romantic drama's and bizarrely, ships, roro ferries and luxury superyachts, that have been mothballed until their owners find something to do with them. The pilot book did say 'Be ready for anything', but this was not an anything that we were ready for.

Henry and Charlie managed to tempt us to shoreside delights and we left Ruffian for the first time for the whole night. Henry and Charlie have just celebrated a really happy wedding day and so we spent the night drinking wine, looking at the wedding pictures and eating wedding cake. Isn't wedding cake, well any cake, but particularly wedding cake, brilliant with a capital B? There is also a new member of the Maples house hold and that's in the form of a new cat, Gobo. At this, Fiona outlined that the cat should have it's feet dipped in butter as it would then feel at home in it's new environment and not want to run away. Iain thought that dipping a cat's feet in burning hot fat is hardly the introduction that would warm the poor pussy cats heart to wanting do stay. Comments anybody? Whatever happens on the butter and cat combo thanks and congratulations have to be sent to Mr & Mrs Maples for both their hospitality and making such a big commitment to each other.

The social whirlwind on Ruffian will continue over the next week whilst in Falmouth so you can either look here for updates or simply check the pages of OK or Hello magazine.

Sailing from Newlyn to Falmouth was windy, windy, windy and sometimes we even didn't have rain.


Lizard point in the background. Still windy, windy, windy.


Falmouth's heritage made itself known before we even entered the harbour.


Falmouth at night. Do we dare venture into a 'big' town.


Red sky at night. Shepherds delight. Red sky in the morning. Fishermans warning. We were warned and then came 40 knots of wind and a monsoon. Aren't we supposed to be in July?


Ruffian lying at anchor, dwarfed by commercial vessels.


Henry Maples's Magpie in Falmouth en route to the rigger.


Rusting hulks on the impossibly pretty river Fal.


We goto the nicest places and see some very picturesque sights.


Larry was introduced to Henry & Charlie's cat, Gobo. We don't think Gobo was impressed.