Completing the circle
PROGRESS
Andrew and Hilary Clark
Sat 25 Jul 2009 20:10
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50:21.78N 04:10.03W
Voyage complete. PROGRESS is now berthed back in
the Mayflower Marina in Plymouth. But the final leg had its
challenges.
After our diversion to Milford Haven, we found
ourselves downwind from Lands End, with a succession of westerly blows coming
through at 3-day intervals. But as they say
"when the going gets
tuff..........
 ........the tuff get going!"
Rob came back to join me for the final leg, and we
set off early on Friday morning. There was enough west in the wind (force 4-5, 6
at times), for us to lay Cape Cornwall on one tack. Days of frsh westerlies had
built up a lumpy sea, but we tore along, gunwhale down, taking lots of water
over the bow in solid lumps, quite a lot of which found its way into our
bilges!
 But the fast and furious sail meant that only 12
hours after clearing Milford Haven we were able to round Longship's Lighthouse
and bear away for the Lizard and home.
 Our rapid progress came to a halt at Lizard when
the tidal gate closed, and we spent nearly two hours with the loom of the light
illuminating the sails as we crept past. After that, it was a clear run to
Plymouth beneath a glittering canopy of stars. We came home less than 24 hours
from Milford Haven.
And so the end. But what a trip it has been!
FANTASTIC!
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