Fal to Fowey

We are now in cruising mode and visiting favourite haunts along the Cornish coast. Fowey is as delightful as the Fal for very different reasons. Fowey is like Dartmouth perhaps was 50 years ago, much less developed, but with a real buzz. Our passage to Fowey was really easy.

We motored down the Fal following a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter, and new version of the design sailed by a Dutch couple but flying the red ensign. They were sailing, tacking back and forth across the river effortlessly but slowly. So we overtook once we got the chain ferry and left them well behind. As soon as we turned east we could sail, albeit very slowly on a lovely sunny and warm day, and set a course for Fowey.

There was a fisheries patrol vessel doing very little other than looking a little menacing. It deployed a rib from the stern and this sped off towards some fishermen in a boat. Not exactly a threat, but lots of fun for them.

Fowey eventually appeared on the beam and we motored slowly in. We had been told by fellow inhabiatants of the pontoon on the Fal that Fowey was empty. No so; we struggled to find a mooring buoy, but found one eventually tucked between a few other boats. We picked it up on the stern with  a line from the bow, and I think surprised a few of our neighbours who were watching for any mistake.

Once attached safely, we then watch the techniques of other approaching the mooring buoys. One approached at a great rate of knots seemingly intent on impaling the buoy in the bow; another had several attempts with one of those self threading jobs eventually with some success. Then we saw the right way to do it. A chap, obviously on his own, had a rope with a hook, motored up with buoy alongside and just hooked on. Job done.

The first thing to do when you arrive safely in port is to have a beer. We had some chilling in the fridge all day for this very purpose. Very nice. Next job was to go ashore and have a beer there (The Galleon Inn).

A none too stressful day. We decided we would stay the following day and explore a little. Bob cooked a spaghetti Bolognese unlike any I have ever had. We were rather short on the key ingredients. Really good. Watched some footy, David nodded off, and eventually went to bed.