When was the last time you did something for the first time? Something completely new, not a variation on something that you've done before, or an activity that you've had a dabble in, but a completely, unfettled, brand new, unadulterated new experience. That's got you thinking. Now imagine that you are just a toddler and all the joy that having that new experience can give you, where everything is new, not just the experience, but the environment, the motion, and even the newness takes you by surprise. This is what we were able to give 2 year old Angus when he joined us as a deckhand on Ruffian for the day on a sail out of Helford and into the sea.

Before those onboard Ruffian could have the new experience of having a 2 year old on board, adventures had to be had in Truro. Truro is listed in all pilot books of the south coast as it is one of the few places whereby not only can you anchor near a big supermarket, but that supermarket offers a quay to tie your dingy up on and even a sea based Welcome sign. Well done Tesco's. Challenge 1 was successfully completed having purchased, loaded and transported 2 full shopping trolleys of food back to Ruffian. With Thug taking the strain and nearly sinking, challenge 2 was finding somewhere to put everything and in this, the whole insides of Ruffian had to be taken apart to find the last of her hidey holes. It's a good job that Ruffian is like Dr Who's tardis and within a few short hours normality was resumed and we now have food and treats for weeks to come.

With Ruffian now lying low in the water we slipped lines and made for a social appointment in the Helford. Here we would be able to see Simon, Jo and Angus who have rented a cottage for a week and where taking Angus sailing was very high on the agenda. Having made the boat ready for our guests, out came Thug again and the start of something new for Angus. His first surprise was that not only do we have 1 boat, but we have 2; Thug and Ruffian. Once on board and downbelow he was confused as to where Ruffian had gone as being inside a boat was just too bizarre a concept to consider.

So out to sea we went with our expanded crew and the list of newness just went on and on, from tying of knots, to unrolling of sails, to leaning over, to putt putt engines inside, to winches that click and sheets that crack. The list went on and on and all Angus could repeat was 'Whats that?' These new experiences left smiles for miles on everybody's faces and Angus so tired he could hardly walk at the end of the day and couldn't even be woken up for dinner.

Maintenance on a boat is a never ending job and so having the luxury of being on a mooring bouy in Helford we took the opportunity to service the windlass, some winches and our ground tackle. It was at the point when winches were in bits, it was lashing with rain and blowing dogs off chains that the harbour master notified us that we'd outstayed our welcome and either had to pay up or push off. So after we'd put everything back together, push off we did and made for Porthallow bay. Here it is less windy than in the river, more serene, more private and safer. Living on anchor rocks.

We tried and failed to sink Thug by filling her up with our monster shop.


Daan & Birgit from Synergie found a much more relaxed way to goto Tesco's.


The name Maggoty Bank belies the river Fal's serenity.


Now exactly where was Mr Darcy?


A great early morning sail to the Helford.


Angus didn't quite know what to make of this sailing lark to begin with.


The happy family. Simon, Jo & Angus.


Grrrrrrr. Angry Tomato.


Ruffians full complement of crew at anchor in Portallow Cove.


Yet another new experience for Angus.


Bimbling tastic.


The maintenance list never stops.