Monday 29 September 2008

A Few Days in Falmouth

We arrived in Falmouth a few days before the start of the Little Ship Club West Country Cruise which attracted over 25 yachts from all points of the compass.

Falmouth is a real hub of activity for all things nautical. With several marinas, the National Maritime Museum and lots of sailors - both local and visiting from far flung places [more of that later ...] We moored up near the Town Quay which was only a stone's throw away from the bustling High Street with its fishmongers and cafes. Also nearby, were the best showers I've encountered for a long time ... constant hot water and a shower cubicle the size of a small room to yourself. Beats going for a shower next to the car park in Dartmouth!

The day after we arrived,the Falmouth working boats were racing in the harbour under grey skies and gusty conditions. We braved the elements to sail out for a grandstand seat and were rewarded with the magnificent sight of these wooden vessels going full pelt with their bright coloured topsails on show. Also racing were gaffers "Jolie Brise" and "Alice" in full flight.

After a private dinner at the National Maritime Museum on Saturday and fish 'n' chips on Sunday, we decided to buy a crab the next day to eat on board. We bought our crab from Arwenack Fisheries in the High Street. Here, the crabs are delivered fresh each morning, cooked for 20 minutes in boiling salted water and are ready to be sold by 10 o’clock. It took a bit of effort to prepare but the results were worth waiting for. Click here to go to recipes and click on crab salad to find out how it's done.

One unexpected event happened: I came across two friends who had just returned from crossing the Atlantic in a Twister 28 called "Pouncer". Spying the aforementioned "Pouncer" one afternoon, there was no mistaking this was Jane & Charlotte from Greenwich. After leaving a note, Jane turned up later for a cup of tea and a good gossip. Arriving in Falmouth was their first landfall since Bermuda and they were having a rest before pressing on with the final leg to Greenwich.

Reluctantly it was time to go and head off into the east but the rain had stopped and a fair breeze blew to take us and the rest of the LSC fleet towards Dartmouth.