Work came thick and fast after our trip to Portugal.
However, Mayday bank holiday weekend our friends wanted to visit so we used the excuse to let the lines go and anchor in Cawsand. It was bliss if the water had been a little warmer we could have been in the Med. Our friends stayed we chatted, sailed the mirror dinghy, saw the Black Prince Parade and enjoyed just having time. Always a catch in life though, we were neaped out of our mooring and had to wait until the Friday to get back in.
I had a little trip to Exeter to visit another dear friend, we shopped (a lot of windows were involved), drank cocktails and ate delicious food.
Mia started surf lessons and Jacob, Imogen and I went off canoeing in Exeter we have all had loads of fun with these activities so far this summer and now Jacob has joined in surfing. Also adding strings to his bow Jacob started ukulele lessons and is loving it!
The beginning of June saw a brief visit to Kent to visit family and a lovely afternoon tea for my Granma for her birthday. We also managed to catch up with a wonderful family, who provide endless support and giggles.
My Mum and Papa returned from their adventures in Spain and stayed for a week nearby. How I miss them, those 7 nights always seem to fly far quicker then they need too. Such special memories are always created, a lovely walk past Hooe Lake, Fort Picklecombe and onto the orangery for a cream tea and ice cream. The children went on the Cawsand ferry with Nana and Papa and came home with fudge, yum yum.
We started hatching a getaway plan...... So the last week of June we untied Janna again and took her out to Cawsand (it's beauty will never fail to soothe our souls). We put her sails back on and finished stowing and then set sail for France. We arrived in Roscoff the next day after an alright sail, sea conditions were nice but the wind was a bit light. Cheating we went for the safe option and stayed in the marina, from which we explored the lovely town following a route dictated by sculptures placed around the town, using our folding bikes which were suprisingly easy to ride. Gorgeous beaches, salt water lidos and the most amazing chocolate shop. The market was on a Wednesday and we were there!!!! It wasn't huge but it had everything you could want. Cheese, coats, local grown vegetables, meat and fish (we got a crab and one sardine much to the fishmongers confusion).
While we desperately waited for a weather window to get us back for a wedding reception on Saturday evening, we enjoyed the botanical gardens and a cycle to the supermarket to stock up on Breton cidre.
Friday evening looked like our best bet going at slack tide to avoid wind against tide we sailed into the sunset. However, the sea state was moderate, our nemesis. This left the majority of the crew feeling a little green and required us to bear away to reduce the motion which unfortunately made us miss what sounds like a wonderful wedding reception. The wind did however take us conveniently to Falmouth where Mike was to start his dinghy instructor course on th Monday. He ws slightly dubious but really enjoyed the course and took alot away from it. So on the evening of Mike's birthday we threw the anchor over in St Just, went for a swim and had hot dogs and cider for dinner.
It was this week that gave us a taste of freedom, paying for a little diesel, food and a short stay to enable us to get to the shops. We had BBQ's on the beach, walked into St Just and saw the church. Tried to repair the canoe, cooked, got arty, sorted more 'stuff' and just lived on boat time pure bliss.
We had a nice run back from Falmouth although we motored most of the way, we all had time to talk and relax. Tried to fish and still no luck despite new lures! We came back to Cawsand to have a farewell dinner with our friend as he has desserted us. The next day we had to admit defeat and park her back up in our mooring.
I am certainly starting to rediscover my soul, something so easy to lose in the hubub we live in, Mike actually asked if I had ever considered Art ( I took Art and Textiles as GCSE's). My heart has to be free though and so much is given to nursing there isn't a lot spare most of the time.
A nice long list of expensive things got made for the boat while we were away, sails, gimballed cooker, inflatable canoe/ paddle board/ another inflatable dinghy etc.
And therefore we set ourselves a fairly tight budget on our return to enable us to regain this freedom sooner rather than later.
Last piece of wonderful news was getting to celebrate Mike's cousins wedding what a beautiful day they had, so much love and laughter. Thank you.
Which brings us pretty much up to date, keep striving for what makes you truely happy and know we are always here if you need us.
Much love to you all
The Pirates xxxxx