Sailing in October and November

 

Sailing in October and November is always mild in Cornwall and it has its own unique pleasures. As the days draw in the day light hours become more precious which certainly helps to concentrate the day time action.

 

First off it’s listen to the days weather forecast and hope it has not changed too much from last nights forecast for today. If it has not changed we can stick to the plan A otherwise its all change and we may end up on plan Z-42/B1. After a good refuelling breakfast we get under way as soon as practical. We may set the sails whilst at anchor or on a mooring and put up the sails that we hope will cope with what lies ahead. Once that’s done its up with the anchor or drop the mooring and off we go.

 

The weather is often dramatic for sailing in October and November. A typically pattern is quick sharp showers followed by intensely bright sunshine and visibility that stretches for miles and miles. You know that sailing in Cornwall can give you any type of seasonal weather whatever the season you are in and some times it seems like you can get four seasons in a day! But the beauty of sailing in October and November is that you expectations are low so whatever weather you get you make the most of. It’s a constant pleasant surprise to most people is that the weather is really not as bad as you think it will be in terms of wetness. I think that if you work indoors and you get a bit of rain on the way to work you think the whole day is wet. Weather fronts bring rain for sure, the vast majority of them give about 3 – 4 hours of wet weather max in a day so on those days there is always a good period you can sail in that is mostly dry.

 

Sailing holidays on Eve when the wind is good are tiring for a lot of people and in six hours of sailing we can cover over 30 nautical miles. If you allow a bit of time for lunch that might be taken under way, hove to or at anchor even on a late autumn day there is still plenty of time for loads of sailing.

 

 

Then come the evening’s entertainment that begins with nibbles to start with and a performance cooking demonstration right in front of your eyes. Adam and Debbie do not bring frozen pre-prepared meals on board. We cook fresh meals for up to seven crew from scratch on a two ring gas stove with a grill and excellent oven. We won’t win any Michelin Stars but we both have our own signature dishes that are always a delight to be eaten. The meal ends with a desert course but the main ingredient is excellent conversation helped with wine or beer that the crew may bring with them. Eve’s dinner conversation has put the world to rights on many occasions but only unfortunately to be sabotaged by reality.

 

 

Popping up on deck to look at the stars you can see the Milky Way in its entire three dimensional glory and in October and November Orion’s belt makes an appearance in the south east sky of an evening. If you are lucky you may catch sight of a shooting star. Then its time to go below for a good nights sleep in a warm and comfy berth.