I almost went sailing at the weekend...

........but was rather glad I didn't. A stroll around Plymouth Hoe foreshore showed me the angriest looking Plymouth Sound I can remember in a long time.

a wild white horses seascape

Sunday, we had some belting winds! 35 kts gusting at times to 40 kts and yet bizarrely sunshine and really warm temperature. We found a sheltered spot at the Hoe Cafe and it was really warm and pleasant out of the wind!

which got gradually worse

I'm pretty sure that Arwen would have survived the onslaught but I would have been incapable of keeping her upright! Jib and mizzen would have been too much sail I suspect! Sometimes its best just to chill out, find a good spot and enjoy a good book, latte and sunshine!

even the barge was having trouble

we sought sheltered walks and discovered this hidden gem - a walk around west hoe which had models made out of metal of all the Devonport based naval ships - part of the south west coastal path

lovely clinker dinghy

the seagulls were having a difficult time flying into the headwind

this wise bird decided to shelter behind some stone steps in the Barbican!

In the meantime, with a little indirect prompting from a discussion on John's Yahoo forum, I have one alteration to make to Arwen's rig. The parrel beads I use to secure lower tack of sail to the mast - I tie on each time. I'm going to convert it to a toggle in a rope loop which also passes through the tack hole and then the toggle fits through a loop in the other rope end. much quicker and more sensible.

Steve