So, where have all them gulls gone?

This could be just one of those things - but needs investigating further - where are our gulls?

A few days ago, David Stevens commented on his blog posted at sea that he has recently noticed a lack of white s***e aboard the boat! After briefly thinking this was indeed a good thing he then realised the implications, no s***e equals no gulls! On asking around the other boats at sea it seems he is not alone - the Crystal Sea II has been working around the Wolf Rock off Lands End.

So, an open invitation for comment - can anyone else either offer an explanation or reveal their observations regarding the lack or not of gulls in the Western Approaches? Is it gulls in general or particluar species like kittiwakes?

Squid gossip on the net

For anyone interested in squid - coming up to the time when they should be showing up inshore - there's a largely American but with UK sub-section web site - plenty of info from anglers up and down the coast who mention the squid's close relative the cuttlefish - worth keeping tabs on given the little white torpedos are worth serious money these days - and, for the gourmets out there, they tast real good too!

Useful site for boats on passage

Many thanks to John Lees for this link which gives a very visual guide to the kind of winds being experienced around the globe. It was John ( with family connections to the original crew) who took such an excellent picture of the Spirit of Mystery as she was rowed through the gaps on leaving Newlyn!

If you open the zip file below, it will contain an sequence of images that show the likely wind direction and strength the Spirit will encounter - from this, you can see how they should be able to make use of the prevailing Northerly-ish draft over the next few days!
Wind forecast animation 28th October 2008

Mystery making better progress

With the satellite track giving a more reliable update we can see the Spirit of Mystery making way in the right direction again - no doubt to the relief of all on board! This morning's plot finds them around 112 miles WSW of Lisbon in Portugal - well to the East of the original course made by Captain Nicholls and his crew. Those of you on Windows machines can install a simple Google Earth plug-in which will allow you to follow the boat's progress in even more detail.

Fine weather - fine fish

Newlyn has excellent is part of an excellent transport network, lorries bound for mainland Europe will head for ferry ports like Plymouth, Weymouth and Poole in Dorset......
though most of the fish waiting to be shipped out are bound first of all for a local processor in Falmouth.....
here, 18 tubs from the Lyonesse wait for the aptly named Falfish, a company originally set up by the Scottish pelagic fleet owners, the Taits from Fraesburgh.....
once again the Runnelstone is rewarding the local bass boys well with the results of their efforts....
with this small inshore boat having a fine shot of quality fish for auction.....
including this very dark, almost black lobster, probably from very shallow water close inshore.....
there are a few beautiful looking grey mullet in the mix.....
after landing the boxes need emptying of ice and washing......
with two concurrent auctions sometimes buyers are seen sprinting between sales, very impressive Mr Hosking!....
appearing like a jack-in-the-box, Charlie gets out into the fresh air to lend a hand with all those boxes.....
under very heavy skies that later broke.......
the Ripple looks like she is well wrapped for the winter months....
lined up on the quay, around 20% of the Emma Louise's full complement of pots.....
for any interested parties there is a substantial building up for lease right on the harbour road between Trelawney Fish and Cosalt......
it seems that it is not only the Mission's weather vane that has suffered of late - but which building supports this?

Movement with the Mystery

Aboard the Spirit of Mystery, and despite the lack of underwear, the mood must have lifted as the boat now shows signs of making progres in a southerly direction again - see the latest plot here for Monday morning. Seems the technology has let us down and the tracking plots have not been updated - till now.

End of another neap tide

In time honoured tradition the Sowenna lays against the fish market with her landing gear up to signify her intention of landing during the night...

the gold-plated galleon is still AWOL from atop the Mission...

the Billy Rowney's silhouette is not what it should be...

while across the harbour the rest of the W&S fleet form part of a tranquil evening scene.