Pembroke Haven Yacht Club

Monday, 26th June

Two days of relaxation and we are now awaiting Gabriel (Alison & Neil), Bennanchie (Stephen & Karen).  Departure time from Milford Haven – 2.20am.    It’s 5pm and still no sign!     Finally we make contact, they are at the entrance to the Camel River.  They enter Padstow harbour at 7.000pm no worse for their journey but needing a well earned cuppa and good nights sleep. 

Stephen & Karen only have 48 hrs before their return trip but we have plenty of time for a Cornish Cream Tea onboard and a great meal out.  Early departure for them.

A trip to Padstow would not be complete without a bike ride along the Camel Trail.  Neil, Alison and ourselves decided to try out a tandem.  Not one between us all obviously!!  Great fun, although the Camel Vineyard was closed as it was a Sunday, meaning a slightly further cycle along the trail to the Tea Rooms.  Well worth a visit for Lunch or refreshment.

The unsettled, wet and windy, weather means we are unable to carry on with our journey.  What else can you do when you find yourself in Padstow for more than a few days in wet and windy weather?   A Rover Bus Ticket!!!!  £13 for two  for unlimited travel around Cornwall.   It was a good idea at the time but having decided to leave the bus at Bodmin for a walk around, we blinked and missed it!  On to Liskeard and a connecting bus to Looe and Polperro (a pretty little fishing village).  A very long day with probably more time spent on the bus than off! but an enjoyable one.

Thursday, 29th, the weather is still not good but it looks like we may be able to continue our journey to the Isles of Scilly on Sunday.  Saturday morning checks unearth a problem with the raw water pump so we again decide that we should remain in Padstow until a part can be sourced and delivered.  Delivery expected Wednesday(5th July) before 1pm, Engineer booked.    Hurray!!! We will be leaving Thursday.   Alison and Neil make plans to leave at the same time.

Tuesday, 3rd July

A fabulous day.  Hot, sunny and not a cloud in the sky.  Time to launch the dinghies.  A trip across the River to Rock with a brisk walk and then a quick pint with lunch in the Sailing Club.  Not forgetting we must return before the harbour gate closes around 5pm.  When  we said to Neil ‘let’s head for the Bar’, we didn’t mean the sandbar!   The sandbar halfway across the River proved a ‘sticking point’ !!! 

Not the best picture in the world but proof that Neil has gone for a paddle in the middle of the Camel River!!

We had booked the engineer to repair the water pump as soon as it arrives tomorrow.  Extra cost for overnight delivery, guaranteed by 1pm and a promise from Rock Marine that they will do the job as soon as the part arrives on Weds afternoon.  12.45pm Wednesday and no sign of the part!  A tracking number reveals that it has visited Plymouth twice via Truro but is now on the way back to Plymouth!  It has been placed into the wrong delivery bag by Royal Mail!!!!    NO Parcel until Thursday!!!

Thursday, 5am and Neil & Alison are underway.  A good day for a sail!  The whole harbour seems to have emptied leaving Money Penny alone on berth no 10!   Heavy mist but forecast to clear soon.  Bon Voyage, see you in September if not before X 

9.42am – check Royal Mail Tracker …………DELIVERED!! 9.40am   Yay!!  We collect the parcel and head over to Rock to deliver it to Rock Marine.  Now we wait patiently (or not in the case of Al!!).