Porpoise

Today, whilst sailing off Lundy, I saw a porpoise break the surface near our boat. It only broached the one time, but it was a wonderful moment, nevertheless.


Apparently, there have been reports of basking sharks seen off the north end of Lundy this week. I've only seen one once, from the MS Oldenburg, but it was still a very impressive sight.

There were also a number of gannets on the sea around us. Their wingspan and flying ability on ground effect, just above the waves, is fantastic.

18.5 knots!

 Martin Caddy and I were in two minds whether or not we should go out.  It had blown a gale in the night and was still pretty lively when we got to NDYC.  However, the forecast was for the conditions to improve, so we rigged the boat with a reefed main and went for it.

Conditions were far from ideal, as it was very gusty off Appledore, and Instow Beach was very exposed and lumpy.  However, just inside Crow Point there was a flattish stretch of water before the wind's strength was killed by the dunes.

Our speed runs gradually crept up, and we soon beat the 16 knots of earlier in the season.  Martin kept his balance on the wire and we passed 17 knots with ease on several occasions.  We also were in danger of pitch-poling in the less than ideal conditions.  We hit 18.2 on one stretch and then maxed out at 18.5 knots recorded maximum speed shortly before capsizing off Yelland Jetty.  We called it a day at that, and retired with no breakages.

Given marginally less wind and flatter water we'll go faster yet.  This trip has been entered in the Yachts and Yachting Garmin Speed Freaks League.

Up, up and away...

This evening I helped ground crew for Sheila's balloon. Photos on the Picasa link here, and Google Earth GPS file here. It was good fun. We started near Petrockstow, and she landed about 4 miles to the south.

Moon Gazing

Last night the sky was incredibly clear, with a bright waxing gibbous moon.

I got out my birding scope to have a clearer look and the sight was incredible. We could clearly see indentations and shadows on the limb of the moon.

There was a planet nearby, which after a little debate, and consultation from my astronomical almanac, we deduced to be Jupiter.

Viewing through the scope revealed two of the four Galilean Moons, whih was certainly a first for me. It was an especial treat.

Fairport Acoustic Convention

Fairport Acoustic Convention
Originally uploaded by tflaxman.

We all visited darkest Cornwall to see Fairport Acoustic Convention in the Rum Store, at the Carnglaze Caverns.  The venue is an abandoned underground slate quarry just outside Liskeard, and is so named because it was used by the Royal Navy during the Second World War to store its rum supplies.

It was a really great concert - the first time we'd seen the band minus Dave Pegg. The band were on top form, as usual, and it was a change to see them in their acoustic configuration.  We didn't get home until the early hours of the morning, and once again saw a badger whilst we crossed Bodmin moor at night.

Prior to that we visited Boscastle on a wet, windy and very foggy day.

16 knots

Achieved 16.2 knots in a blustery F6 yesterday with Martin Caddy as crew. Only used the mainsail as the conditions were very lumpy, and we nearly pitchpoled several times. With luck we'll improve on this speed this season.

You can get a sense of what the conditions were like from a photogallery here. This sail has been entered in the Yachts and Yachting Speedfreaks Competition.

Beltane

DSC00098
Originally uploaded by tflaxman.

As today was Beltane, Pete Melville and I went for a walk to Bucks Mills. We had the best of the weather - it was glorious.