Set out as expected Monday afternoon. Conditions were still a bit bouncy over the bar and not much better outside. Strong S winds for a week and now it was NW so the sea was a bit confused. Bardsey Island was rounded in the dark and a course set for the Smalls. A rough night and the skipper wasn’t feeling at his best. Gradually the next day conditions improved, Sea Bear could wear her full set of sails but the winds fell lighter. Our first dolphins of this trip came to play around the boat late afternoon. The red lights on the Scillies radio tower were spotted during the second night, they are visible a long way out. Passing to the west of the 7 Stones we were that close to the Scillies that it seemed a shame not to drop in, so I did, picking up a mooring in St Mary’s pool. A good opportunity to catch up on sleep. The Scillies look a fascinating place to cruise so a slight regret no time this time, the south calls.

St Marys Scilly islands