We have just returned from Truro at the end of a successful but stressful 3 Rivers Voyage. Our guests joined us in Totnes 8 days ago and had an interesting couple of days exploring the beautiful Dart and its many attractions while we waited for the aftermath of Storm Antoni to blow through. On Tuesday we were blessed with a gentle westerly and managed a good days sailing as we headed for our overnight anchorage at Dandy Hole on the Lyhner.
The top mast lowered to clear the power lines (!) we set off early the next morning up the Tamar to anchor at Cotehele and dropped the guests off in Boo, the tender, at Calshot to walk along the valley to explore the beautiful estate and house. The tide goes out a long ay here but there is still just enough water left at low tide to turn Snark in her own length as the ebb quickly turns to a flood.
By 4:30 we were heading back down the river to anchor south of Mount Batten for the annual fireworks competition, three magnificent displays set the Sound alight.
A strong easterly and blown up ideal to get us to our berth opposite the town of Falmouth the following day. We had hoped to spectate at the Tall Ships parade of sail and race start but Storm Betty had other ideals and by early afternoon the next day the wind was howling and the start was postponed for a day. We spent a fretful night with the sails flapping and ropes creaking, but thankfully with no significant damage.
The new start was no longer a group event but staggered and some way out to sea. Still we did get to see these amazing ships motor out from the docks one by one before slipping the mooring ourselves and heading the other way up the Fal and Truro River to the head of the navigable estuary at Lighterage Quay, Newham, a mile south of the centre of Truro. A charming spot next to a scrap metal yard, sorry recycling centre, with the sewage works behind it screened by some straggly trees. To be fair looking the other way across the river there is a beautiful park with a fine tree collection and traditional village cricket green while ahead of us up the last mile of silted creek was the noble silhouette of Truro cathedral. Happy guests were dispatched by taxi to the station to head home and we spent a day wandering around Truro hunting for an elusive decent meal.
Now for a couple of days rest before we head to Fowey to pick up our last guests and hopefully a voyage to the Isles of Scilly and back, if the arrival of Storm Chris, or whatever the next one will be called, doesn't beat us too it.
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