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To the Isles of Scilly

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 After crossing back from Paimpol me and Falanda spent a few quiet days anchored in Falmouth, where we were then joined by Otter on his gorgeous boat 'Wendy May'.  We rafted up and enjoyed our view of the tall ships as they came in, and spent the next week messing around getting the boats ready. We were also waiting out storm Betty, which came in with force and pushed a couple of boats out of the anchorage.  Falanda carries a big 10 kilo Bruce which held her down effortlessly, whilst I helped out onboard Wendy May, who had dragged anchor, and was soon to be sandwiched between a 40 ft ketch and an incredible 38ft Wharram. Otter had been having some engine issues which presented themselves again at the very peak or the blow, when the engine didn't start and he had to bleed the whole fuel system before he could re-anchor.  By daybreak there was only little wind left to blow, so we sailed up the Fal, surprised at how evenly matched the boats were as we raced downwind. I swam as

Across the Channel for Paimpol festival

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 In the last week of July, Falanda and I set off across the channel accompanied by my parents on Karuna.  The morning started out windless so we motored until torbay when the wind picked up and we started sailing, close hauled at about 4.5 kts. The wind increased and a few waves skirted over the stern, splashing the tillerpilot which in turn got wet and packed up.  We then had a few hours of perfect sailing, the helm so light that falanda was steering herself, under full main and slightly reefed jib. At sunset we hove to so that I could reef the main and get changed into some dry, warm clothes before it got cold.  Then it got dark, and we started approaching the shipping lanes, still sailing well at about 6 - 6.5kts.  At this point my batteries were getting low, and I needed the AIS on as we crossed the lanes so I tried starting the engine. I then discovered that the batteries were almost dead rather than low, so faffed around turning everything off, whilst also trying to steer the boa

The dinghy saga

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After having sworn to never go out in head winds or with company again, Falanda and I left the Exe with the wind on the nose and a friend onboard as crew. We were also towing my latest purchase, a plastic rowing boat that was to be used as a tender.  I wasn't planning to get a dinghy unless it was pretty and wooden and small enough to fit on Falanda's narrow side decks, however this one was cheap and blue so I couldn't help myself.  Me and Falanda ended up having major dinghy issues.  On the first day I noticed that the drag put us back about a knot, making the already slow day of tacking even longer. That evening, after anchoring in the Dart we discovered that the advertised '4 man dinghy' wouldn't fit both me and my crew without letting in enough water to sink it. We opted for the water taxi the next morning instead and I said goodbye to my crew in more civilised manner.  On the second day I dropped anchor in Cawsand, and, completely forgetting I was towing my

Aborted Azores trip in Karuna

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On the 20th June me and dad left the Exe heading southwest aboard Karuna, his Rival 34, with a vague plan to sail to the Azores.  By sunset the tide was turning against us as we approached Start point, and after beating into the southwesterlies all day we pulled in and anchored off Salcombe until 3am when the tide turned. We then continued on to St Maws, where we dropped the anchor and caught up on sleep.  The next morning we set off, tacking out into the Channel. By midnight, we had reached the French shipping lanes so changed tack and headed more west. At this point me and dad had been cooped up on his boat together for 3 days and the novelty was begging to fade.  On the fourth morning the wind began to pick up and the boat set into a horrible slamming motion, making living much more difficult. Anything from cooking to going for a pee was horrible and we avoided going below unless to sleep.  By the next morning the wind had picked up and was accompanied by a relatively short, choppy

Brixham Heritage Regatta

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On the 26th May me, Falanda, and crew left the Exe for Brixham, where we stayed all weekend for the Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta and Rally.  We had a great time with the regatta fleet and it was the perfect chance to splash our new mermaid despite the lack of wind during the course.  We left the harbour on Sunday once my crew had jumped ship, and the wind died off completely just in time for the start of the course. We lost all speed and steerage about 20m before the start line so spend the next 45 minutes or so drifting about before some wind returned. Then, to my delight the sails filled, and falanda glided gently past my parents on Karuna. Falanda started sailing herself so I let the tiller go and wandered up to the bows for a better view of Karuna sailing behind us. After rounding the first mark the wind went away again so the fleet drifted around until the course was shortened and a breeze came in.  Although I was again delighted to finish before my dad, one of the biggest hig