Totnes to Milford Haven

22nd-25th April 2015
Totnes-Dartmouth-Falmouth-Milford Haven
Route

Misty has been sold! I'd agreed to deliver her to new owners in South Wales and, after lots of delays, weeping and gnashing of teeth (soul-searching, rebirth, sleeplessness, bittersweet relief and the rest) sailed her from Devon to a new home in Milford Haven.

After late evening departure from Totnes I motored downriver to reach Dartmouth on a dark and silent night.

Waiting to leave Totnes

Leaving Dartmouth soon after 4am next morning when it was very chilly, dark and peaceful, I sailed comfortably (albeit in thermals etc) straight to Falmouth. Eddystone lighthouse is a convenient waypoint when visibility is not good.

Running briskly under genoa....

...passing Eddystone lighthouse

Then a good night's sleep (always pleasant to sleep on a boat in a secure spot), before leaving Falmouth next morning after breakfast. Oh dear! The fine spring weather has come to an end. It drizzled and rained as I approached the Lizard. I don't take many photos in rain! But, on the bright side, pods of playful dolphins, a couple of puffins and bobbing guillemots were heartening company.

Towards the Lizard....and....

With strong wind and two reefs and helpful tide, Misty touched nearly nine knots rounding the Lizard. Full of excitement and optimism (and the prospect of forecasted adverse winds if I stopped) and despite the drizzle, I decided to go straight to South Wales. Rounding Land's End with sloppy swell echoed off the cliffs, the sea felt very empty and unfriendly and, unusually for me, I was distinctly queasy (cheese sandwich cured it!)

....passed Land's End

The Bristol Channel seems especially wide when the night is cold and there is not a soul in sight. Just the occasional fishing vessel reminds you of man, and leaves you admiring the hard life led by fishing folk. Single-handed nights are long and icy, and dawn comes with uplifting brightness. By 11 o'clock, and into Milford Haven, I'd covered nearly 150 miles in 26 hours. The sun came out too.

Entering Misty's new home

After handing her over to friendly new owners, 'Misty' is out of my life. Time to find a successor.

Thank you to everyone who has sailed with me on Misty over the past four years. You have taught me a lot and, although sailors are always learning or trying to learn, I probably make fewer mistakes nowadays - and I hope you can believe that!