Party time! The tall ship fleet is in Falmouth, ready to start their "race" to Madeira.

And there are a hundred thousand or so local visitors, here to ogle these amazing vessels, and take in the town.

The narrow streets of the waterfront are packed with humanity.

And lots of Brits walking their dogs.

They consume enormous quantities of beer here, and given the antiquity of the practice, this is sure to be the home of the term "beer belly".

We are seeing lots of well dressed "English gentlemen". And the locals all speak like the GEICO insurance company lizard (in TV commercials for those of you not familiar with U.S. telly).

Meanwhile, at anchor in an amazingly crowded harbor…

… with literally thousands of yachts on docks and moorings, there is a constant parade of yachts, old and new. This looks like an early model lifeboat.

Speaking of lifeboats, how about this safety harness detail from a modern RNLI lifeboat. Mainsheet traveler cars on a track along the side of the house. More secure than a jack line, non-fouling, no UV degradation, and it keeps you at a fixed length from the side of the boat. Very clever with application on yachts for sure.

There are a pair of pilot boats on the marina where we take the dinghy ashore, one new and the other out to pasture as a yacht. Both have fairleads on the bow for the anchor rode and (we assume) for towing.

As mentioned, there is a floating marina for visiting yachts and their dinghies. The locals have a small tidal basin to use. Note the ladders along the sea wall. High boots are part of the boating uniform for walking in the tidal muck.

Once ashore there are a variety of pubs to tickle your fancy. Many of the buildings around the waterfront have been here for hundreds of years. They have low ceilings, rough hewn floors, and ghosts.

We are partial to traditional yachts, at least to look at them. There are lots of little gaff-headed sloops and cutters here, with huge bowsprits.

The scene ashore is amazing. There are musicians everywhere.

And a variety of instruments. The gent on the right above is turning a crank on this stringed instrument.

This may be staid England, but these ladies are getting ready to shake their transoms.

While the local peace officers keep a watchful eye on the proceedings.

Our favorite "look" (cool pony tail!). Those of Scottish descent note the sash.

A band of Chippewa Indians from the States cashing in on the music scene, drawing big crowds in the process.

There is a new National Maritime museum. Their graphics designers must have been perusing the web as you can see above.

In spite of the crowds we are enjoying Falmouth. The traditional yacht viewing is a highlight for us, as is the fact that these folks are actually out sailing.

A test of your knowledge of yachting history. Anyone recognize this design? Hint, it’s the forerunner of the Open 60 single handed racing machines of the 21st century. It is the Jester design (maybe the original). Jester was one of the original competitors, in the early days of trans-ocean single-handed racing against similar sized yachts. Blondie Hasler, who sailed Jester, is credited by some with the development of the self-steering wind vane.

Back in the 21st century, our neighbors are getting ready to sail, using wireless communications between foredeck and cockpit. Sure to save a lot of shouting and hand waving.

There are at least half a dozen of these long boats plying the waters.

Weather has been amazingly dry by the standards of this summer in the UK, just a few showers this weekend, resulting in the best rainbow of the year.

The Brits take their ice cream eating seriously.

And they, like their Irish cousins, produce cute babies.

Saturday afternoon, sail is being readied for the race.

The race committee has just hoisted the five minute signal (see middle right above).

The Russians, center above, trying to beat against the tide (of history?).

And Wind Horse is heading North, towards the Solent.