Quarantine charter from Portsmouth to the Scilly Isles

Saturday 18th - After arriving on the boat and settling in, we decided that there was not correct weather window to set sail at midnight to catch the tide, so we will wait for the morning tide at 10am to leave the dock. So we settled down for a delicious dinner of Chicken Fricassee and got ready for the big day tomorrow.

Sunday 19th - A busy morning filling the water tanks, returning empty bags to the car, and any last minute provisions. All in the pissing rain. Finally setting off from Gosport around 10:30 we headed on towards Weymouth. The rain stopped but it was very grey and cold and windy for the best part of the day as we all huddled in our oilys under the spray hood. We had a delicious lunch of salads and quiche on the go on our laps in the cockpit as the Isle of Wight left our sight and we sailed further down the Jurassic coast of Dorset. By late afternoon we could see Weymouth and were ready for a warm shower and a meal. After securing a space in Weymouth Harbour we eventually moored up and went for a wonder. We found the Old Rooms Inn where we had our first pulled pints since in 5 months due to the lockdown - divine! Making our way back to the boat we had a text from the parents that we were due for dinner at The Quayside at 8pm. Upon returning to the boat we found they had made some friends, and invited them aboard for a drink who then came with us to dinner. As there were no bookings larger than 6, we split kids v adults.

Monday 20th - Weymouth was quite beautiful and all the locals were quite excited by our lovely boat stopping to have a little chat. Whilst we waited for our departure we sat watched the bridge lift up and down to allow boats in and out. we finally got underway and on the sail from Weymouth to Salcombe we passed Portland which had a very picturesque lighthouse. Sailing along Lyme Bay we saw a single dolphin far ahead which disappeared quite promptly. However, the next time we spotted a few dolphin jumping far out the starboard side which got us all excited and ran to the bow to find the dolphins charging over towards us and played in our bow wave for about 10 minutes. I was lucky to have the prime seat on the anchor getting a fantastic show under my feet. Our journey continued on and we passed some of the most gorgeous coastline leading into Salcombe, we were all glued to the binos perving on all the gorgeous houses. Coming into Salcombe was quite exciting, lots and lots of beautiful houses and a number of eye sores which would have sensational views. We had a heavenly dinner of Sausage Apple Brandy Caserole, mash and cabbage.

Tuesday 21st - A little morning visit around Salcombe village, very quaint seaside town with lots of lovely shops. So we popped into the bakers and picked up breakfast and a few bits for lunch. After refuelling on coffee at Captain Morgan’s cafe we headed back to the boat and set off for a sail West further down the coast. We anchored in a lovely spot at the estuary of the river Erme for lunch. After a delicious lunch of fresh sausage rolls and beef pasties we continued on to our next stop, Fowey. Glorious sunshine and not too much wind we all got stuck into our books whilst under sail. Finally coming into Fowey around 7pm we enjoyed some sundowners going up and down the river seeing all the mining spots etc.

Wednesday 22nd - On our motor out of Fowey to Falmouth we saw dolphins three times but every time we got close they disappeared. Arriving in Falmouth, we sailed past St Mawes and a few other seaside towns. We moored up, after coming close to grounding ourselves and gave the deck a really good scrub down. After an exploratory hike on land we refuelled on double chocolate fudge and sea salted caramel ice creams. Once back on the boat we headed on out of Falmouth for what turned into a rather long 3hr sail motor to Kynance Cove. We dropped anchor in the most beautiful spot at Lizards point and watched the sunset behind the cliff rocks.

Thursday 23rd - A drizzley old morning, we had a slower start and went ashore. We set off up to the top of the cliff and then clambered all over Lizard point and Kynance Cove. The weather really picked up and it turned into a rather hairy ordeal getting back into the dingy on the beach. Once safely back on the boat, with the dinghy finally attached we set off. The weather did not improve at all and turned into a drizzley cold misty sail spotting lobster pots. We had a delicious lunch of cheese and salad sandwiches and sausage rolls. Lots of dolphin sightings but not sticking around long enough to play. We had quite big rollers and bad weather on the way to Scilly Isles passing tankers and wrecks. After a nap on deck it started to clear up and we were at long last able to see the land. We lay anchor in Tean island and made a delicious chicken Korma to warm us all up.

Friday 24th - After a light breakfast we headed around the island to anchor in Great Bay so that we could go and explore St Martin’s. After bringing the dingy up the beach and clambering over the sand dunes we found the bakers and a lovely little restaurant, Little Arthur’s, to refuel on crab & lobster rolls. Once back onboard we settled in for the afternoon drinking tea, eating biscuits and playing monopoly deal. Looking for a change of scenery for the next night we moved round to Hangman Island and anchored off New Grimsby. Hangman island was rather eerie with the gibbet still in tact at the top of the island.

Saturday 25th - We lifted anchor and headed into Hugh Town on St Mary’s for a provisions run. We found a lovely little grocers/butchers and picked up bundles of fresh fruit and veg and even some fishing tackle. After wondering through the town we got back on the boat and set off again. Upon coming into Middle Arthur we found ourselves surrounded by a ‘bob’ of seals. Yet another fab lunch of fresh pasties and salads with the seals flapping and grunting around us. Spent afternoon reading books & chilling. We put a line down to do some fishing, caught a Whitling but no further success. Moved round to Watermill Cove where we set up for dinner - cooked a lovely pasta bolognaise and fresh garden peas. We watched a huge converted tug, Seawolf, unload and reload jet skis, kayaks, paddle boards, ribs and a sailing boat (Wayfairer size) it was unbelievable. Sun set beautifully whilst we had yet more discussions about planning future holidays and jobs etc we got chilly and came in for showers and bed.

Sunday 26th - Popped round to St Mary’s, got on a bouy and gathered bins etc and went ashore. Offered lovely French men to take their rubbish, they were very chatty and wanted to invite us on board for a “very nice scotch”. Went to the beach in glorious warm sunshine, Went to St Agnes for lunch at the Turks Head, Heaven. Back to the boat, stowed everything away and dressed head to toe in oilys preparing us for the “horrific journey” ahead. Journey was not bad at all, in terms of weather. Big rollers but not keeled over. 5 hours later we made land at Lizard Point and had a delicious bowl of Thai green curry. After a half hour stint with four dolphins at the bow the light suddenly went and we found ourselves in rather choppy waters where the two seas met. The journey went on, we were all tired and damp and so very very bored. As we finally could see the entrance to the Helford River we were surrounded by dolphins who were flipping about in all directions. We became aware that they were hunting and every time we came across a new shoal of fish we got very excited as all the fish darted off in all directions. This was truly amazing! We finally found a bouy in the dark and were set for the last night.