After a long day on Friday, I decided it would be better to aim to leave on the afternoon tide as opposed to racing to get up early in the morning. In any case it was a good opportunity to explore Ilfracombe and do a few running repairs. First on the list of “things to do” was to sort the spare jib deck fixing, which had been hard to use while underway the day before. I also wanted to come up with a way of stopping the main halyard jamming (as it had outside Padstow), I think I have come up with a simple answer but it will have to wait until I have more time.

I even got around to sewing up my spare sailing gloves that have been coming apart for months but as the only sewing needles on board where for sail repair the results were “interesting”. The wind was light and the tide was going to be sweeping up the Bristol Channel at about 2½ knots so getting more fuel was going to be important. After some questioning of the locals I headed off to find the “local” fuel station.

I am starting to think that having a diesel engine would be an advantage as were as diesel is available in most harbours, it is normally a long walk for Petrol. Ilfracombe was no exception and an hour later a stumped back with four gallons of unleaded and a lighter wallet. As soon as I was able to put the keel fully down, I made my daily call home and to the Coast Guard and I was on my way.

Sailing was not an option but I wanted to get to Swansea for the weekend so I set a course to get me to Ledge Buoy south of Mumbles where I arrived shortly after 18:00. After a short spell when we were able to sail, I entered Swansea Bay and motored up to the port entrance. Keeping to the left of the entrance I moved up to the Tawe Lock against a strong tide.

Having timed my arrival for high water the lock was hardly needed and we along with a small group of other boats were soon through into the Tawe River hanging a left into the marina. The marina staff pointed me into a free berth and before long all my ropes were sorted. I was soon in the pub by the side of the Marina with my old Uni housemate Abi and her fiancé, John.