It was clear when I woke that there would not be any sailing today. The waves were surging through the harbour gaps around the side of the breakwater. Unfortunately this corresponded with low water and the hull of Silverwind was being thrown at the bed of the harbour. At this point I discovered that it was not sand underneath the hull (as I had been informed) – you could hear the rocks rolling along.

We could do nothing about is and just had to sit it out for an hour as the hull settled on the beach. Six hours later the harbourmaster removed the top storm board from the inner harbour, which was to allow a local boat and us into the shelter. There was a misunderstanding that as Silverwind only needs a foot of water to float (with the keel up) we would only need a foot of water to get through to the inner harbour. I pointed out that if I tried to manoeuvre without a keel, rudder or engine, “chances” were we would end up on the beach! They removed a second storm board!

The local boat that had come through with us had managed to get a rope around its keel and Jim the harbourmaster and I help remove it using Silverwind inflatable dinghy. This five-minute job would prove to be very cost effective as he later waved our mooring fee! The mud in the inner harbour gave a soft landing and a chance to inspect any damage from the rocks in the middle harbour. All was well except for the plastic paddle wheel, which spins in the water to tell the log how fast we are going. With no spare and no obvious local supplier I made a quick call Mylor Chandlery (just outside Falmouth) who ordered one and were happy to post it up (in fact I ordered two – just in case!)

One disadvantage of the mud was that it stunk out even the inside of the boat. This “forced” me to the Ship Inn two nights in a row! After our second day of flying the Cornish flag from the mast the locals were starting to wonder which country we were from. One group of sailors had pulled out an almanac to no avail and I was dragged in to finalize the bet.

On Sunday the owner of the small fishing boat we were moored alongside came down to inspect his boat. I had been warned about him and told to make sure all my lines and fenders were in place. I took no notice of him as he arrived and lay on my bunk keeping a low profile. At this particular moment there was little wind, we had eight fenders out, a bow line, a stern line, two springs and two shore lines – I was happy that we were covered!

He soon came banging to get me up. He was not happy with my stern line and concluded my fenders were useless. With a small crowd discreetly smiling in our direction I pointed out the two boats could not touch as the side of Silverwind’s hull was covered inch-by-inch in fenders. It was clear that the local’s description of him had been an understatement! Not wishing to make a scene I adjusted some fenders and walked away down the pier.

He shouted out to me as I left “how much does your boat draw”. Not thinking I turned and replied “six feet” and walked on. Well Silverwind does draw Six feet (with the keel down!) but would flatten his boat if I had not pulled the keel up – he did not know that though! I corrected myself just before he was about to burst; “sorry that’s one foot with the keel up”.

One item of note is that Stonehaven in home to the “Maritime Rescue Institute” which alongside providing a lifeboat service in place of the RNLI also train lifeboat crews fro around the world. Some members of the Dutch lifeboat service were in town on Sunday with one of their new boats. At 16 metres long and with two 1000 horsepower engines their new RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) had come across the North Sea in ten hours. By my calculations that would allow me to get back to Penzance for dinner on Monday night – I resisted!