Thursday 28 July. The Cove to St Helens Pool via Old Grimsby sound. 15 nm

We should have left when we knew the wind was changing direction, but it was forecast to be very light and we stayed put. Its not that simple in Scilly, given times of tides and where you can go when, and then will there be room? Suffice to say it was a pretty Dreadful night. Heed the pilot! The swell created made sleeping impossible. I woke at 0019 . The boat was pitching and rolling in an undulating rhythm. In addition there was a horrible grinding sound every few minutes and the boat snatched at the anchor. We found out when we eventually pulled it up we took a right angle Bend which meant that when she turned, her anchor must have wrapped round a rock or rocks, creating that sound and the snatch. Julian and other skippers in the bay were up on deck in the night, head torches flashing. One boat left in the middle of the blackness, another at first light. We hadn’t slept and were so tired . It turned out that actually in the morning, it settled down considerably. We had missed high tide though, so we had to go round the outside of the islands to get anywhere. We decided on Old Grimsby Sound as our destination and it was a lovely trip, the wind light and sea flat , enjoying the west side of Scilly from the sea. We turned into the sound and although there were moorings free, there were also about 8 boats anchored. Presumably everyone as us, a bit put out about £30 night for no facilities ( except the buoy) we anchored but it was impossible to set the anchor adequately as we were tide rode. Meaning you can’t head the boat to the wind as it’s hull is only lying according to the tide. Fine until the tide changes. We sat a while to see if it would settle down, but as the tide is due to change in the middle of the night….. we decided to go to Helens pool as there may be less tide there. I think we anchored and re anchored 4 times today, every time some reason why it wouldn’t set. This was where our anchor dragged before so of course we were wary. Eventually, still tide rode, but in a slackening tide with a dying breeze, we just set it and it held. After all the effort of today we were rewarded with some stunning sunset photos, a glassy sea and an entertaining family ( or 2) of french people in a 36 ft boat next door. How they all fitted in I don’t know but the kids were all having such fun, swinging into the water off the halyards, paddle boarding, then using the SUP as a windsurfer, and eventually 2 young lads fishing off the dinghy. It was the most peaceful evening and night we have had the whole trip.

What I learned today….. we don’t tend to use one in Scotland, but when you’re at anchor you are supposed to display a black ball during the day and a white light at night. So I learned how to rig up the black ball As it seems to be the “ done thing “ here!. 😬🎱

Sue x