Friday 23rd May

It was a quieter day today with no fins seen, however we had a really lovely afternoon with a great bunch of people. We headed westwards along the coast first , as far as Porthcurno before sailing right out offshore. The endless easterly winds are over for the moment and we had a very sailable WNW wind, though there was no swell (yet) – perfect! Spotted some seabirds including kittiwakes, fulmars, shearwaters and a poor gannet trailing fishing debris from its leg. We watched the coastguard helicopter hovering over a distant cargo ship – looked like an exercise maybe. Heading back inshore, we saw a large female seal devouring a still-struggling plaice, and from the look of the seal’s markings, I think it was our pal Kelp! She certainly didn’t seem bothered by us watching her – just gave us a Hard Stare before carrying on. Round the island there were several more seals, including a juvenile hauled out. I think they have sensed the incoming weather, and have moved back into more sheltered waters.