12th July – Tuesday
A good night’s sleep was enjoyed by both of us and we were up just after 6.30. We got ourselves organised and left Noss Marina at 7.30. The wind was just making a few ripples on the water. As usual Carole sorted out all the mooring ropes and tidied away the fenders ready for us to leave the river Dart. The forecast was SW F4-F5. Our first task was to clear the rocks at Combe Point then head east of Start Bay to clear the Skerries Bank. We put our sails up as soon as we left the River Dart and were making reasonable time as we were beating to wind. Once we had passed Start Point the sea became a bit more lively. We noticed for the first time today the change in the sea state. The waves were much bigger with definite peaks and troughs and seem to be like climbing up a mountain and then going down the other side.We had to continue for another 3 miles before we could put in a tack in towards Prawle Point. We put in several tacks but Chris decided that we were losing too much time so we took in the Genoa sail and put the engine on for the last 4 miles, taking in the mainsail just before entering the river. We found the two landmarks at Salcombe to guide us in past the sand bar at the entrance. We joined another yacht at the entrance which we gladly followed. The other yacht called the Harbour Master for a mooring on the pontoon at the ‘Bag’ just past the town pontoon. We also acknowledged that we would like to moor in the ‘Bag’. The ‘Bag’ is a small sheltered bay with a large pontoon with fresh water but no electricity. We found a nice spot on the inside and the harbour master was there to assist in taking our lines.
Having skipped breakfast this morning (a cuppa and a ginger nut biscuit doesn’t count as breakfast), Carole made a sandwich and some crisp breads for lunch. We then both decided to have showers on the boat (while there was still some hot water in the tank) before taking the tender across the water into Salcombe. Chris’s next task then was to put the outboard back onto the tender. Once this was done, we motored across to Salcombe, leaving the tender with all the other dinghies. We then took a stroll around to remind ourselves what was here, before settling ourselves in a pub for a late afternoon meal and a half of cider. We then motored back to the boat with a light drizzle in the air making it feel quite cool.
We had just sat down below, when we heard a lady’s voice calling ‘Seaduction’ and on investigation, we found another boat coming towards us looking to raft up. We gladly assisted with their lines and soon they were rafted up. Unfortunately, they brought the rain with them, so while they took their lines to shore, we disappeared back below to keep dry. Soon after, one of the harbour masters was doing his rounds and Chris went up to pay our dues for two nights. We will then be going into Plymouth to Sutton Harbour Marina, where we will be leaving the boat to go home for a week.
13th July – Wednesday
We had a pleasant, peaceful night and woke refreshed and ready for the day. After our normal morning cuppa, we washed and dressed. We had planned to give the boat a good rinse down and clean today as our pontoon had a hose pipe and tap, normally a sign of water. However, on further investigation, we found that a water boat, with around 1,500 litres of water onboard, visits here daily to fill boat tanks only via this hose pipe (sailing yachts first, then motor boats after as they take much more) and the washing down of boats appears only to be allowed on the town quay pontoons. This will have to wait now until we are in Plymouth. Carole then cooked some eggs and bacon and after washing up, we motored across in the dinghy to the town to take a stroll and pick up a few provisions. Most of the shops here are touristy type ones, selling designer holiday clothes, fudge, ice cream, pubs, cafes and restaurants; good quality, though, but very expensive. Chris bought his first Cornish pasty (although strictly speaking, we are in Devon at the moment). We also bought the ingredients to make a nice chilli for our dinner and some bread rolls and one doughnut (90p!) for Carole. We then treated ourselves to an excellent blackcurrants and cream ice cream each which we ate while watching the world go by on the quay. We then returned to the boat for lunch (pasty and pickle for Chris and doughnut for Carole – very healthy!). Chris disappeared up top for some time, chatting with our rafted up neighbours, leaving Carole to read her book in peace.
Chris cooked a hot, tasty chilli and rice, which we enjoyed. Carole then washed up while Chris disappeared again to see what was going on with boats leaving and arriving on the pontoon (he admitted to being nosey). We then sorted out the dinghy, bringing in the outboard motor to sit in its usual place on the rear starboard side.
It was rapidly cooling off again, so we closed up for the night and put the diesel heater on for an hour to keep us comfortable. We got ready for bed, settling down in our bunks with our book and iPad (and, still, hot water bottles!).
Another peaceful night here gave us both a good night’s sleep, disturbed only around 6.30 by the boats leaving early to go eastwards. Soon after, we both got up, keen now to move on to Plymouth, although we wouldn’t be leaving Salcombe until about 11.00.