Leaving Plymouth our next stop was Fowey (pronounced Foy). The forecast was for S S/E but it turned out to be SW meaning a beat to Fowey. We had about 20-25kn so we fancied a bit of a bash as we had yet to really heel the boat or feel we had truly sailed her. So we put in 1 reef in the mainsail and set the staysail in precaution for stronger weather.
The coast of the UK creates a very lumpy sea so it wasn’t smooth sailing but was still pleasant. The roughest part was the entry into the harbour which had a large backwash. About an hour before we arrived a gale warning was issued over the radio and we could see a small band of roll clouds on the horizon.
Not like a roll cloud we get in Aus but one still to avoid so we were happy to arrive in Fowey. We weren’t 
sure of a berthing in Fowey as there are no anchorages and all the information suggests the moorings and jetties are not suitable for boats over 15m. We are 17m but with a gale warning present we decided to wing it.
Thankfully we found a half empty visitors jetty moored 2nm up the river opposite a clay factory. It wasnt a pretty location but the jetty looked strong and it was the only option open to us. The only access ashore is by water taxi or your own dinghy and no power or water. We saw a few visitor moorings however we had no information on how strong they were and the boats already on them were riding the swell like a bucking bronco.
It was an easy landing although the jetty was very bouncy so not ideal to be leaping onto with gusto. Thankfully Tony didnt need to leap as someone was on hand to help. Within a very short while more boats arrived and the jetty was full.
A rook with a book, one of the many art pieces around the town. There was an art exibition on at the time which we would have loved to explore however, everything was closed as the wet weather had sent everybody home and the shops were all shut.
The houses along the river bank were extremely interesting, all very unique and an eclectic mix of residential and commercial as well as plenty of sailing clubs. Each property has its own stairs and jetty down to the water. All the little vessels are kept on roped moorings just metres from the steps.
Each harbour along the east coast has its own designed version of day sailing boats and it is surprising to see how many of these old boats are still racing today. the active sailing clubs have racing most nights through the summer and anyone is welcome to come and join in. Just not on the days we were there.
Amongst our shopping that we did find open was a little general store with an enormous selection of local Gins. Ever keen to support local business we felt obliged to try at least two, after a little tasting.
The Caspyn Gin is made with local coastal botanicals ie seaweed and was very acceptable, however our favourite by far was the local Fowey Gin which was made from potatoes and very resonably priced. we had finished off the bottle of Salcombe gin that Oliver had gifted to us when he arrived so we felt it appropriate to try an dbuild a selection. This trip is rapidly turning into a Gin tour, wth nearly every town making their own version.
We stayed 2 nights in Fowey and left for Falmouth in truly sporty conditions. Getting off the jetty was a feat in itself as we were now jammed in tight with no room front or back to move with a 25kn breeze blowing us on. The jetty was costing £40 per night without any power or water so we needed to keep moving.
We left the jetty with some assistance thankfully there were plenty of skilled line handlers around as everyone was trapped on their boats We needed to swing out using the wind and current to turn 90 degrees before letting go the jetty. This is where I love having a bow thruster, In my previous lighter displacement Bavaria I would drive the bow on and kick the stern out but the Oyster was having none of that so we tied a stern line on put a fender on the back corner and bow thrusted out. The linehandlers on the jetty just flicked the line off and we left. My confidence at that point was way up there. As we left another boat had just come in and took our spot within seconds.
A few comments were made about whether we should be leaving as the weather was still abating. I was keen to test out Osprey for times when we might be stuck out at sea riding a gale.
As I knew the entrance to the harbour would be very lumpy I decided raising the mainsail in the harbour would be a safer option. This required a skill set that perhaps we weren’t quiet ready for as the only availble space to turn head to wind is in the background of this photo. We needed to put two reefs in which we hadn’t done in quick succesion before. So there was some level of robust communication and public embarrasment before we achieved this.
Feeling very embarrased about our mainsail debacle I was keen to leave Fowey asap, we motored out the harbour without any further issues. Until we met those vertical standing waves. We got a true pounding but im pleased to say we didnt break the crystal. More on that next week….