Leg 17

Penzance to Padstow. Weds 21st July

We had a really early start, 4.00am, to make the most of the tide around Lands End. The sun was rising just as we went around the tip, and started to head North - Happy Daze!! We are at last on the great north run! The sea was a bit choppy with a lazy swell pushing us along. As we came to Cape Cornwall, just north of Longships, we came across a basking shark - unbelievable! Just the one, but was pretty huge. We got a good view, but as always when we took a picture you can't really even see it! The winds were Southerly, so for once not on the nose, but quite slight so we did get the sail up, but kept the engine on. With the tide behind us though, we kept a good average speed of 5-6kn, and got to Padstow about 3.30pm. Pretty exhausted though. Padstow is about a mile up the Camel river, with lots of sandy beaches on its banks, and just a narrow channel up to the harbour. The inner harbour has a barrier that is open for just 3 hours ish each high water. We thought we had just missed getting into the harbour, but we made it! Very pretty and quite cosmopolitan. Probably the 'poshest' place we have been so far.
We celebrate rounding the corner with a shower and a few well earned beers!! Then its down to planning the next leg, which will be a long one again, jumping across to South Wales.