Roger Ryman: Round Cornwall Day 4

After arriving in Bude last night in a stiff northerly breeze and high surf, it was with great relief that I pulled the curtains back this morning to see St Piran's flag on the green outside the pub hanging limply on its flag pole, hardly a breeze.

The surf had dropped, and we launched 'Tormentor' into the canal, ready to be 'locked out' at 8:45 am. It was quite an emotional moment, after the long overland push, to sit in the gig inside the lock, and watch the lock gates open to reveal the North Atlantic.

Five minutes hard rowing out over a small swell and we were making our way down the rugged North Cornwall coast. We were joined by our support boat (Rock Charter Boats) and made steady progress in still winds and a quiet sea.

The hours passed quickly, all the old jokes being told and general philosophical banter. Each 45 minutes we rotate the seats, so we all take turns on either side of the boat and the coxswains seat. One of our crew members even determined that if the beer consumption were to continue at the current rate set during the first thee nights, the crew would be achieving an average consumtion of six miles to the gallon over the whole row!

We had time to pull into Port Isaac for lunch, during which time the sea built for a choppy row round to the mouth of the River Camel. The Padstow Lifeboat was on hand to escort us down the river, as were crews from Padstow and Rock rowing clubs. The crew are now settled in at the Old Custom house, hoping for calm seas for the longest leg of the row tomorrow, 38 miles to St Ives.