Julie Rose Textiles, Sailing, Canal boats and more

29th April 2026

Picked up the car from Totton, Paul drove us in our car which saved a lot of time. Ford Puma a grey sort of colour, left about 11.15am.

Ieuan started the journey, swopped drivers at Warwick, then stopped at Tebay and had Pie and Chips for dinner, swopped drivers, and again when we stopped for petrol.

Got to Larges about 8pm, welcomed by Stephen, got all our stuff to the boat on N pontoon, the furthest from the car park. Found when we got to the boat problems with the loo!! A fresh water leak, no sails as yet, and the engine being serviced, in fairness it was only launched this morning, always some issues and these were all in hand. Quick trip to the Sailing Club for a drink then bed.

30th April 2026

I had to take the car back to the depot in Glasgow which all went well but just missed a train back to Largs so had coffee and croissant at the station. Then saw the bus approaching as I got out of the station at Largs the bus just having gone past the bus stop so walked back to the boat in warm sunshine along the coast path.

Back at the boat, the sails were almost on, the engine service doing well the life raft collected and in place and lots of activity everywhere. Stephen and I listed all the contents of the various food cupboards and made a shopping list. Lunch sorted and eaten and it was a joint trip to Morrisons and a bus back, well deserved pint in Scott’s and dinner on the boat and early to bed.

1st May 2026

Bit of rain this morning, surprising after good weather yesterday. Engineers arrived and got on with sorting out the loo but were called away to a boat with a problem with a sea cock. Then the engineer with the water pump came and that got fitted, the loo man eventually came back and that got sorted. Checking the gear oil, the end of the dip stick dropped into the oil! Engineer was called back and a solution partly found but the new stopper without a dip stick had to have a small breather hole drilled and the workshop was now closing for the day but they will sort tomorrow. Passage plan done and watches being sorted, planning to leave Sunday.

Saturday 2nd May 2026

Was able to use the loo this morning on the boat what luxury. Safety briefing this morning, going through everything on the boat so we are all ready.

Walked into Largs in the afternoon, was very busy as of the bank holiday weekend. Walked back to the boat and was quite warm. Cooked dinner on board and bed.

Sunday 3rd May

All up early for showers, change of clothes and getting ready for the off, water filled, rubbish dumped and stores stowed .

Wind seemed very strong just out of the harbour and it was then we found that the wind indicator not working. Put all three reefs in because of the feeling of the wind but soon found out that this was wrong and that the wind was very light so took all the reefs out but this was good as they all went up and down well. Watches worked well but not enough wind to sail when night fell so had to put the motor on. A few ships about and we could see them on the AIS and the radar and had to take avoiding action on occasion. Very cold, everyone has lots of layers, mine are, silks, t-shirt, shirt, Gillette, fleece, hoodie and waterproof.

Monday 4th May

On watch at 3am was clear but cold and still motor on and gybe protector on as north wind directly behind us. Engine off at 9am and sailing, goose winging with gybe protector still in place. A few ferries about, nothing much happening but progressing well. Was on the 1am watch, moon came up but very dark, not my favourite watch.

Tuesday 5th May

Woke to no wind at all, the main had been taken down as it was just banging and the engine on, slipper got concerned about the fuel gauge as it still said full! How much did it hold and how many litres an hour does it burn were important questions. Fiddling about with the switch made it work briefly and showed 3/4 full, panic over. Seemed to be some wind again so main up , engine off and the pole was put on to the jib to keep it out , various ways were tried to get it just right.

Like this for quite a few hours, progressing well and wind had filled in quite a bit. Dolphins seen and were with us for half an hour or more. Now we were going too fast for our arrival at Padstow. Main down and just sailing on the jib to get us into Padstow for about 6am in the morning, gate to harbour open from 7am to 10.45am so we must arrive then.

Wednesday 6th May 1am

My last watch at night, very clear sky, lots of stars, not a lot of wind but just enough to keep the jib going, still very cold. We must not go too fast don’t want to get to Padstow when the gate is closed.

Wednesday 6th May 7am

Skipper on helm just coming near to the estuary, very bouncy coming in, too much for a cup of tea, soon through the entrance and over the Doom Bar, fenders out , ropes ready and into the harbour, good space for us on the pontoon. Reversed in and tied up to the pontoon and the buoy at the front. 8:30 all sorted.

320 nautical miles, two days and 22 hours!

Francis went off for a cooked breakfast and Ieuan was sent out for Coffee and Croissants, much enjoyed and then a shower and sorting out stuff. All discussing how to get home, would hiring a big car get us all home as we did from Largs in September or train. Francis decided he needed to get home to help with a hospital appointment at home so he organised a train ticket, we all thought we would go home Saturday but trying all to have a hire car didn’t work, so Stephen booked a train ticket and we booked a hire car, we had too much stuff for a train.

Slow day then and just a wonder around the shops in Padstow and out to dinner at the Old Custom House which was very good. All too bed very early.

Thursday 7th May 8am

Good sleep, warm and calm in the harbour. Francis went off for his bus and train. A few jobs to do on the boat and a trip up the mast was needed, lots of preparation for this and eventually Ieuan went up, we had some help from Martin in the next door boat and all went well and the wind wand and the aerial came down, a bucket of water went up and we all avoided being underneath while Ieuan cleaned the spreaders. Then we let him down in a controlled fashion and all was good. New bits to be ordered and lots of discussion about this.

Went off on the ferry to Rock this afternoon, nice walk and a pint.

Pasties for dinner and a trip to The Harbour Inn for their jam session but left fairly soon as it was terrible.

Friday 8th May

Final wander around the shops and some things purchased then Ieuan and I went on the bus to Wadebridge and had a look around and lunch then on the bus again to Bodmin to collect the car for tomorrow. Bodmin did not seem to have anything good to take you there. Collected the car a Jeep! Seemed very nice and Ieuan drove back to Padstow. Fish and chips for dinner today but they weren’t the best. Sorted out stuff and ready for bed.

Saturday 9th May

All packed in the car and off. Boat secured and fenders deployed. Our drive was very good, no hold ups and just one stop and we were home by 13:30 car dropped off and washing started. A great week or so.