Falmouth....cont'd

Bliss
Sun 28 Aug 2016 13:34
We stayed in and around Falmouth for over a week. It was a perfect base as we could nip off and explore other places once the gales had eased. We spent a night in the Helford River on a swinging mooring which was very special. It was so beautiful that Chris got quite distracted whilst motoring up the river 20 minutes before low-tide; we suddenly found ourselves aground. Fortunately it wasn't long before the tide turned and we managed to float off again, when I say not long, it was an excruciating 40 minutes with various other boats passing us by looking smug.
Once settled on our mooring we took the last of the flood up to Frenchman's Creek in the dinghy, we switched off the outboard and paddled the last 500metres, so peaceful, still and magical.

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Frenchman's Creek

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Early morning swim in the Helford River

Friends, that Chris's family have known for about 50 years live in Falmouth and we cycled out to see them for lunch one day, we arrived late and horribly sweaty after a particularly hilly route. They had reassured us it was a ten minute ride but failed to mention their electric bikes, we had a go.....fantastic, if only they made folding versions that we could stow on Bliss.
We met up with Julian Weaver and his children Jack. (10) and Ruby (8), who were holidaying nearby with Julian's parents, they joined us aboard for a day's adventuring, a beautiful sunny day, we sailed, fished, swam and dived off the boat, they rowed and played in the water; fabulous day, both children proved to be excellent helms despite Ruby hardly being able to see over the wheel! Julian, having grown up in Cornwall knew all the best places to visit.

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Captain jack steering us out to Helford


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Ruby in control on the way home

We dropped them near home in Restronguet Creek, apparently there's a great pub there, but we couldn't anchor near to it, water was too shallow. We anchored further up, but struggled to get the anchor to set, it took three attempts, very unusual, we've become blasé about spending a night at anchor having now done so about 20 times. We eventually settled and had a quiet night, fabulous sunset, we were shattered, long, very active day with the children, we've forgotten how busy they keep you!

On Wednesday morning we thought it would be interesting to take the flood up to Truro, we got very close, then went aground in the middle of the channel and lost our nerve, we got out while we still could, we saw the lovely cathedral, from about 250 metres. The River Fal is beautiful and there's so much to see and do nearby, we'd spent a week there the weather now calm and fine and it was time to make our way east.