4th August – Thursday
We were awake before the alarm woke us, with Chris immediately checking the latest weather forecast and Carole putting the kettle on for a cuppa. All looked as expected and so we got ourselves ready to leave. By 7 o’clock we had radioed in to the Lock and after a short delay for the bridge to be closed we were through and heading out of Plymouth.
After Carole had tidied up the lines and put away the fenders, we put out a well reefed mainsail, keeping the engine going until we had passed the Great Mew Stone. We then changed course, brought out the Genoa sail, again well reefed, and turned the engine off. The sea state was slight but increasing with the waves building to about 4 metres. To be safe, we attached our safety lines – first time since we left Ipswich back in June. Carole was feeling decidedly off colour, so Chris had to forego his usual steady stream of tea and snacks, as a trip down below would have definitely made Carole sick. Chris remained on the helm for most of the trip as he was more effective than the auto pilot. We decided to bring in the mainsail (and we did this from the cockpit because of how bumpy it was on deck) and we started the engine to give our speed a boost to get us into Salcombe as soon as we could. Luckily we were also getting an extra push from the tide. Before long we were making the approach into Salcombe and for a short while the seas became shorter and rougher. However, soon we had lined up the navigation marks on the hill and land and were following the small red and green buoys into slightly calmer water.
Chris radioed in to Salcombe Harbour and were advised to make our way to the Bag where a place was available on the visitors’ pontoon. On our way there, we passed a couple of dinghy races taking place (it’s Salcombe Regatta Week) and dodged a couple of inconsiderate motor boats (some things don’t change). We followed another sailing boat who rafted up in front of us and after a second pass, we rafted up on a slightly bigger yacht, ably assisted by a friendly couple from Derbyshire who keep their boat in Plymouth. Needless to say, once safely attached, the kettle went on.
While Chris sorted out our lines to go ashore to give us additional security, Carole prepared some lunch as we were now both very hungry as we hadn’t eaten anything since leaving Plymouth. After a tasty salad lunch we snuggled down in our bunks to recharge our batteries for the evening. When we awoke, we decided to stay on the boat and chill out for the evening. Just before 10 o’clock we popped our heads out to take a look at the very impressive firework display that was taking place in the harbour. As it finished we could hear the cheers of the crowds watching and before long many of those returned in their dinghies to their boats. Chris said it was like the M25 out there! The visitors’ pontoon was packed, with most boats being rafted on by at least 2 or 3 other boats. By the morning we would be number 2 of a 5 raft. We settled down for the night just after 11 with no worries about getting up early as our departure to the River Dart would not be until about 4 pm.
August 5th – Friday
We emerged from our beds quite refreshed after a good night’s sleep and after breakfast, we put the dinghy in the water and went for a trip further up the river. We were surprised to see how many residents’ pontoons and moorings there were and, indeed, how far up the river you could go. We passed a small boat yard and way before the water got shallow, we turned round and made our way back to the boat. Once back, we enquired who on our raft was leaving or staying and around midday we had to slip our lines and let a few boats leave. We then rafted up on a couple of French boats for the few hours remaining until we would leave. Chris brought in the outboard motor and secured it to its place on the starboard stern side. We then tied up the dinghy securely out of the water on the back of the boat. Chris also brought in the fenders from our starboard side, hoping to put off any would-be rafters, but it obviously didn’t, as soon after a Dutch boat appeared alongside keen to raft despite our advice that we would be going soon.
Carole cooked a tasty hot lunch of savoury mince, new potatoes and sweetcorn and while she washed up, Chris checked latest weather reports and prepared charts, etc for our journey to the River Dart. We were getting tetchy and impatient to leave, but we didn’t want to leave too early as it could have caused us a problem at Start Point.
Eventually the time came and we slipped our lines and very slowly motored out through the busy harbour with boats of all sizes moving about. By the time we reached the harbour entrance there was enough wind to sail and we were away. We were pleased to see that the sea had calmed down and Chris commented on what a difference a day makes. We had a very pleasant sail and arrived in Dartmouth just after 8 o’clock. Carole radioed in and we were pleasantly surprised to get a berth on the Town Quay, with electric. As we came alongside our berth, the wonderful smell of fish and chips wafted through the air and within half an hour we were sitting on deck sharing a delicious portion of locally caught plaice and chips and a lager shandy. When the harbour master called for his dues, Chris said we were surprised to find a berth and he said it had not been busy at all and where were all the boats? Chris told him they’re all in Salcombe! He was amazed when we told him we had been part of a five raft on the visitors’ pontoon.
After clearing away and readying ourselves for an early start in the morning, we both had a lovely hot shower before settling down for bed.