Graham and Mike left us early, we breakfasted at the Fishermans Mission, then made a leisurely start in a very gentle breeze.

It was slow progress against light winds to Land's End and we resorted to help from the 'iron mainsail'. This gave us time to look at the frequent mystery tunnels we could see in the cliff faces. We assumed that they are early tin mine workings.

The wind freed and increased in strength and we had a long windward leg right through to landfall at St Mary's. It was hot sunshine and the crew took the opportunity to sleep and sunbathe, but proceedings were enlivened by two sightings of basking sharks and an encounter with a coastal tanker.

We were clearly right of way vessel and a couple of times Chappie called the captain to ascertain his intentions; ship's callsign from AIS. He obviously wasn't going to alter course and, on the second occasion, he lamely asked if we would mind doing so!

The entrance to St Mary's was very tricky but we had the adventage of following behind another yacht that had left Newlyn at the same time as us.

Soon we were tied up to a visitors mooring in the bay, inflated the rubber dinghy and made to a local hostelry before returning for fish pie cooked from local catches.

After an enjoyable day exploring St Mary's, we set off soon after 5am for the long haul to Padstow.

The wind was light and it turned into a very hot day.We went north of the Seven Stones underwater rocks to avoid the shipping lanes. It started off as a reach but became a dead run for most of the voyage. In order to keep to our schedule, we had to resort to mechanical assistance from time to time.

We arrived at the entrance to the River Camel when the tide had risen enough to allow us to creep across the infamous Doom Bar - a shallow patch of sand. However there was not sufficient depth to enter Padstow so we anchored in the pool outside the entrance and had our supper. Just before 10pm, the harbourmaster allowed us to enter the enclosed harbour in the gathering darkness.

The highlight of the passage was when a small pod of dolphins played in our bow wave for about five minutes.

Having completed family business in Dundee, Annette heroically arose at 4.00am to drop Graham to Stansted for the early flight to Newquay. He boarded 'Colette' by 8.30 to find the complement sound asleep; but not for long!

A guided tour of 'Padstein' was given by Chappie while Simon and Julian recovered from the previous day's excesses; then we prepared to leave when the harbour gate opened at 11:00. A brisk passage lay ahead; nearly 80nm in what started as 6 to 7 Southerley. Rough seas; torrential rain; must be mad. Genoa only required and a good reef in that when the squalls really got up.

As forecast, the wind veered westerley and moderated to 5 to 6. The sun strengthened. What a difference? Takes a Beaufort force off for the same wind speed.

We saw no other vessel for 60 miles (did we make the right decision?); but saw a magnificent display of diving from a huge flock of Gannets astern.

The first vessel we saw was at sunset; a 250m super tanker waiting off Milford Haven for Pilot and tugs.

We entered the harbour and informed the Coastguard of our safe arrival at 23:15 and were followed down towards the marina by the vessel now with Pilot and under tow. The Pilot boat crew advised us of our best track to keep clear of the manouevering.

We were directed to our berth and Julian had prepared a super supper of pork loins with onion, mash and broccoli, which we sat down to enjoy at 00:40.

Returning home later that morning, Simon and Julian took the short walk to the station at 0820.