Cornwall - March 2003

There was a good high over Britain during mid March 2003. The blue skies tempted some of us to go down to Cornwall for an initial splash in the blue waters. We should have known better. Good highs can mean powerful easterlies and that is just what we got. Never mind. Porthkerris was blown out but surely Sennen or Mullion would offer sheltered waters? Well not quite. Mullion was out owing to a crowded slipway of wintering boats. So Sennen it was. We got there nice and early and despite a few white horses we went diving in the bay. It was exhilarating - above water. Down below the vis was nice but there wasn't  too much to see. Old kelp strands, some fish and reef, this and that but was this worth coming down to Cornwall for? Well the boat handlers had their work cut out. Even in the lee the SE winds had now whipped up to force 5 or maybe 6. We got back safely but decided No More Diving. Instead we went for a walk the next day after a pleasant evening in Penzance.

We shrouded the boat and then walked around the Lizard under the expert guidance of Malcolm Nimmo. First to Kynance which was splendid. Blue skies, blue water but still the easterly white horses offshore. With regret we looked at the water. We couldn't have launched anyway. So back we walked along the cliff path. Richard Wood spotted a wrecked boiler in the shallows by Lizard Head which prompted much technical discussion about wrecks. Lunch at the Lizard and then off to see the Marconi wireless station where we were given an in depth, enthusiastic explanation of aerials, Leyden jars and Morse code readers. We carried on past the resident Shetland ponies and admired the early sprinkling of flowers that were emerging on the sunlit southern slopes. In a few weeks time these cliffs will be a blaze of colour. Then on to Church Cove past the new lifeboat station and then back to the Lizard village for an ice cream.

A nice weekend - but roll on April!

Richard Knights - March 2003