2025 Sept 5th, Day 2. Padstow.

WIP

It was very uncomfortable first thing but improved during the day as I waited for the tide to move round to Padstow. 

The Mouls, waves pass between it and Rump Point (out of frame left),
not a problem in calm weather or when the boat points into the waves
but very uncomfortable when a combination of the ebb tide and wind
causes the boat to lie broadside to them.

The weather is not looking good with more strong winds showing up over the next ten days, as I posted on Facebook:

"I think there is a better than even chance that I’ll have to give up on this cruise, the latest forecast gives little or no hope of getting round Lands End or to the Scillies in the next 10 days ( I had hoped to be in Falmouth now) and for much of that time there is no place to anchor comfortably around here and there is little point in paying to stay In Padstow for the duration.

The weather should be good enough to get back to Milford leaving early Monday before and after that it looks very dodgy, I’ll make a decision on Sunday. Fortunately the lock times at Padstow, I am moving there this afternoon, are helpful for an early start, (Monday 04:40- 08:15) and the narrow channel is lit."

The trip into Padstow requires enough water to safely cross "Doom" bar and navigate the channel which looks more complicated than it is, I had plotted the route in Memory Map and transferred that to the plotter so that that in theory the autopilot could steer all of the way - that works if other boats don't get in the way! Several did.

The route in plotted on MemoryMap before transferred to
the plotter to drive the autopilot. That leaves me free to
monitor what is going on.

This was a disappointment, I had hoped to follow this boat in as
she was ahead of me and draws more than Sancerre so would
have struck first but the skipper had other ideas and repositioned
himself to follow me.

Polzeath on the eastern side of the entrance.

It had started to spot with rain as I left Portquin Bay so I had got all of the water proofs on, when the sun came out I got rid of the top but was stuck with the salopettes which made for warm work as I approached the harbour. I had booked a place that morning but could not get berthing information until off St Saviour's Point only three cables from the harbour entrance, with moored boats and several moving plus shallow water to port and rocks close to starboard, it was a bit of a rush to get fenders and lines out, but I managed just in time without turning round.

The approach channel near low water, the chart shows it drying
by 3.5 metres at the Lowest Astronomical Tide, I suspect it has
more at the moment, it certainly appeared so as I entered but I
was busy at the time so I will certainly use the charted number
when I leave.

Along side in Padstow, the fender board getting it's first use.

The inner harbour gate close to low water.

I was not going to  lash out over £100 for a meal at Rick Steins
but I had to try the fish and chips from the take away - very
good,  although the Haddock was of adequate size rather than
generous (£18.50). It will be ships curry on Saturday.

5.4 NM in an hour and a half.

Slide show of more Padstow pictures to follow, probably when I get home.