Sunday 17 May St Ives to Padstow (32.2M)

Reading up on Padstow, access into the tiny port is from HW+/-2 hours. It ls a more locally controlled access and very much dependant on the weather. As those with a naval background know, in RN terms, ETA stands for Exact Time of Arrival. We had all day to do 32.2 miles and the second half of the day was tidal stream in favour. Showing uncharacteristing wisdom (actually just being sick of being thrown around even at anchor, we decided to make progress while being thrown around instead) we slipped and proceeded well early and did a steady 4 – 5 knot run on a Chesapeake Bay Reef, making our ETA of 1638 precisely…… to be told by the Tom, the harbour patrol chap, that today the tidal gate into Padstow would not open until 1700 and would we like to loiter please. Actually a few minutes later he called us back and asked us if we would still like fuel (Barbara had called ahead to ask) so we nipped in and bunkered 244.6 litres of diesel, after which we entered the harbour and Tom was there to take our lines.

Padstow is absolutely lovely. It is like a miniature version of Honfleur, one of our favourite haunts, mixed with a flavour of St Vaast la Hougue, with pasties and cider.Read more