The time for waiting was over and after paying up for our stay, it was time to move off. The aim for the day was to make it around Lizard Point into Mount’s Bay and home to Penzance by mid-afternoon.

The forecast was for a force three or four possibly building to five from the southeast. This would hopefully make for a perfect passage with the tide on our side until just after lunch. The current would, with any luck, stay long enough to get around Lizard Point and into Mounts Bay. Once in the bay tide is not so much of an issue, especially with the following wind.

Just before 10am we departed from the pontoon having phoned home to report our movements. This has been a daily routine through out the trip but today it was different. The ETA given would hopefully mark the end of the trip! As we motored out past Black Rock I radioed Falmouth Coastguard, again a daily procedure. However, this was somehow strange when you make the call in sight of the operator, sitting above you on Pendennis Point. Once clear of Black Rock the mainsail was hoisted and allowing for a stronger wind we set off with the No. 2 jib. Within half a mile the engine was stopped and we were under our own power.

The force two from the southeast gave a slow beat to windward. It became clear that using the No. 2 was going to be over cautious. We quickly moved up to the No. 1, in a racing change. The steady wind and a little swell gave for perfect, if sluggish sailing conditions as we moved upwind towards the Manacles Buoy. It was not the fastest passage in the world but nice to be sailing again after the motor down from Plymouth. An hour after leaving the Fal Estuary we past the Manacles Buoy. By now the tide was clearly pushing us hard down the coast.

Unfortunately, the strong tide was also whipping up the sea to an almost uncomfortable state. This additionally knocked any wind out of the sails! Reluctantly, I started the engine to push us on down the coast. This was enough to steady the boat, fill the sails and push us along at eight knots on only the lowest revs. The coast was quickly being left behind as we raced towards Bass Point. By midday we were south of Bass Point in sight of the NCA watchtower. I gave them a wave as arranged earlier in the day by phone.

With Mount’s Bay starting to come into sight we bore away down wind. Passing a mile south of the rocks, we continued into Mount’s Bay accompanied by the normal disrupted sea around the headlands. The wind had now increased to a force three however; the tide was starting to turn against us making the sea white. Silverwind was pointing into the bay on a dead run towards Mousehole. This was far better than heading straight for Penzance further to the east. Heading directly home would have been a slower passage, with the jib backing continuously behind the mainsail. For the first few miles into the bay going was slow as we pushed against the now foul tide. Within five miles this was changing, we were well into Mount’s Bay and the tide was declining in strength.

Now with ten miles to go the rumours were starting to get around that we were due back to Penzance shortly. Sailing was starting to feel more like manning a switchboard as the phone rang and rang with people looking for an update on the ETA. It looked like we could make it in for 3pm if we were lucky. As we gibed onto a starboard tack it occurred to me that we should attempt to make a grander entrance. Ten minutes later the spinnaker was fully rigged and ready to go. The new sail was hoisted once the remaining headsail had been removed. This was certainly the way to come home, as we were now surfing along straight for Penzance.

Five miles south of the harbour I started to see a small boat in the distance. At first it appeared to be a dive boat (it had a large dark flag) so I tried to keep clear. Every time we changed course the boat was changing course to meet us. It was soon clear that this was the sailing club’s RIB on route to us – no wonder we couldn’t avoid it! Shortly afterwards a second club boat joined it. Within five minutes we had a welcoming reception. The club’s RIB came alongside passing over a glass of Champaign before letting off a number of balloons. Mean while my mum was in charge of blowing the “finishing” horn, which she did continuously for twenty minutes!

The two boats were filled with friends from the sailing club; there were cameras out all over the place. The only thing I couldn’t work out was why the second boat was following at such a distance. A glance at the log confirmed the problem – we were surfing under spinnaker at up to seven knots - they could not keep up! After slowing up, they came alongside. While posing for a photo I lost track of the Spinnaker and rapped it around the forestay – Opps! It was nicely done and was not coming free for love nor money. Its windage was reduced as much as possible by wrapping it tighter to the forestay. After removing the sails we quietly motored into the harbour and alongside Albert Pier – perfectly timed for high water. In total about twenty-five people had turned out to greet us and it was great to see them all. After sorting out the sails, tying up Silverwind and taking many, many photos we retired to the sailing club for a well earned drink!