Swansea to Ilfracombe

After sitting in Swansea waiting for a break in the weather, I crossed the Bristol Channel to Ilfracombe in North Devon. The weather started rather gloomily leaving Swansea, but soon cleared up to give a lovely crossing. When I arrived in Ilfracombe I was only intending to stay overnight before continuing down the North Devon and Cornish coast, but the harbourmaster said I really had to stay the following day; there was a birdman contest going on, and my boat was in prime position to view it. Well, I never pass up the chance to see people in fancy dress hurling themselves off a high platform into the sea, so I decided to stay.

One of the more successful attempts

I was a bit concerned that they might reach my boat, but I needn't have worried. They all plummeted like a stone into the water where they were helped ashore by a group of lifeguards in wetsuits. No-one seemed any the worse for the experience, but I don't suppose they told the contestants that the water was full of jellyfish. They probably had enough to worry about already.

Spectacular new statue at the entrance to the harbour

There was a makeshift stage where some quite decent live bands added to the party atmosphere.