Helford to Fal

We were all up at about 10; not too many hours sleep, but all feeling much better. A moderately quiet night in the river – rather more noise from the mooring lines in the fore-cabin – but slept thought it with no problem.

Today was a day or rest and recuperation for all. Our only plan was to visit the River Fal which is an idyllic spot visited on several previous visits. So we had breakfast (muesli) dropped the mooring lines and motored out of the one river heading for another. There was a good amount of wind so to make things more fun (and to dry out the sails) we sailed across the bay to the entrance to the Fal. The wind was I a good direction to sail up the river, although we would be headed further up, so with David at the helm and Bob and I managing the sails that’s what we did. The sun was out and with the boat heeled well over it was a complete contrast with the antics of the previous night.

In due course we dropped the sails and motored the rest of the way it becoming progressively more tranquil. The inhabitants of the river have changed. Many of the large ships previously moored up here – or mothballed – had gone replaced by small yachts and dinghies – much to the relief of the locals I am sure. Seemed a shame to spoil a beautiful river with forlorn looking boats.

Fal showing visitors pontoon (bottom), Malpass (top centre) and Truro (top left)

We arrived at our pontoon. Plenty of space. David took her in and the neighbours took a line. David had a chat with them to get some local knowledge; we needed a pub. Their suggestion was to take the rib up to Malpas, about a mile up the river where there was a nice pub (the Pelican) and if we wanted a supermarket then walk a couple of miles to Truro along the river. So that’s what we did.

Turned out the pub was the Heron. Malpas was a lovely quiet village. I thought it was further to Truro than two miles (turned out to be rather less than this), but it was good to get some exercise. Arriving in the outskirts of Truro walking along a dual carriageway road to Tesco was a bit of an assault on the senses the contrast between what England was and what it is now. It was ugly. The banks of the river as we walked into town was strewn with old decaying boats, some half sunk. Many looked like live-aboards with tarpaulin draped over the keep out the rain.

We got what we needed in Tesco and retraced our steps. The Heron was really nice, with a nice welcome, even to three rather bedraggled looking sailors. Bob was kindly in the chair so we had a very nice meal and a couple of beers overlooking the river.

View from the Heron

We got back to the boat in time to catch the second half of the England game against Slovakia. The usual, England failing to impress once again. Along came the harbour master to collect the dues (£15) – the same man that wanted £4.50 to tie up the rib in Malpass. We opened the bottle of wine that Tom had given to me for Father’s Day. Very nice. We toasted Dads and indeed Grandads. Watched the vivid red sunset, listened to an owl – or it might have been David with his owl call – and went to bed.