"I NEVER thought I'd be doing this a month before my 60th birthday," muttered mum as she swung a leg astride a rubber seat at Falmouth marina.
I must admit to not reading the literature about King Harry Ferry's Orca Safari too hard before I booked – mum's probably more of a gentle sway on the open ocean in a sea-liner kind of woman than a "let's see how fast we can go on a 35ft RIB" one.
Donned reassuringly in life jackets that had to be secured between the legs 'just in case' (of what?), we couldn't help but be thoroughly amused by the whole experience.
Despite an assurance by Kiwi skipper Matt that "this isn't a zoo so we can't guarantee we'll see anything", one can't help being a little cockily confident.
Surely the basking sharks will be out to inspect the journalist and her mother, playing picture-perfectly with a school of bottle-nosed dolphins, followed shortly by a friendly seal bringing you fish?
As castles and lighthouses slipped in and out of view, beaches and tiny fishing villages all pointed hopefully out towards us. The coast, it is true, was designed to be seen from the sea, and time on the water quite literally flies.
Besides from a few thousand gulls, a few dozen gannets, our wildlife extravaganza never did really materialise. But we didn't really care, as it had turned into a wonderful adventure of coves, caves and castles.
With a new-found thirst for water pursuits, I got in touch with Peter at Mylor Boat Hire, just a couple of miles from my house.
Some girlfriends of mine were arriving from Somerset and what better way to spend a day than exploring the Carrick Roads under your own steam, at your own pace?
Having been politely assured that, no, we couldn't 'chug around the Lizard Peninsula in a 16ft Picarooner', (and neither would we want to negotiate the four metre waves the other side), we turned up with flowers in our hair and nautically striped tops – just to prove what dedicated sailors we were.
It's a wonder we were allowed a boat at all, frankly.
Motoring ourselves up the Fal, we tucked into a pasty 'n' pint at the beautifully picturesque Smugglers' Cottage at Tolverne, and after a rather spectacular 53 point turn to leave our mooring (if I don't mind saying so myself), we were delighted by nothing other than a sunbathing seal!
A word of warning to fellow day trippers – don't cut the boat's power in the middle of an estuary in order not to scare the wildlife. It may take you 10 minutes to get the thing started again. That's all I'm saying.
Compared to the £39.50 of the Orca Safari, Mylor Boat Hire was by far better value for money at £60 for half a day – and ironically we saw more wildlife – but it really depends what kind of thrills your looking for.
I thoroughly enjoyed both and would do either again in a heartbeat.
Perhaps mum fancies renting a French Put next time…
Contact Orca Safaris on 01872 861 910 or e-mail orca@kingharry.net
Contact Mylor Boat Hire on 01326 377745 or e-mail peter@mylorboathire.co.uk
