Catch up

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13 April

After a night ashore with his family, we collected the skipper from the beach.  We went down the Cut, we nudged our way over the bar and we headed out into Salcombe bay after watching the harbour master tow another yacht with a strong westerly wind and tacked round the Start Point to find shelter on the Easter side to find shelter under Hall Sands surrounded by diving boats diving for scallops.  We then sailed to the east towards the entrance to Dartmouth to find a swinging mooring just above the Lower Ferry gathering inspiration from the British Steel boat on our port side inspected closely by John and Allyn.  A shore party in rain and drizzle went to the fleshpots of Dartmouth abandoning John to the ferocious elements of rain and a moist seat and a wet tender.  Meanwhile Peter, Elspeth and Allyn were in the Cherub Inn sitting by the fire wondering where he was. Tender back to boat and moved up river past the Royal Naval College to Dittisham passing Agatha Christieâs home on the starboard side.  Once at Dittisham we availed ourselves of a swinging mooring and compassionate shore leave.  Compassionate leave ashore consisted of visiting The Ferry Inn for a cheeky pint and local colour by the fireside.

14 April

Sailed from Dartmouth to Brixham.  We collected Rickâs partner and daughter from Dartmouth on the way down the river and then set a course for Brixham.  A lunch at anchor and rounding Berry Head a very pleasant sea and pleasing conditions with a magnificent view of Torbay.  At Berry Head John pointed out the vicious hard route of the cemetery gates from his miss-spent youth.  Absolutely nobody on the yacht was interested.

Berthing at Brixham marina was expertly carried out by Rick much to the admiration of the crew.  We met again for a catch-up chat where he took us to the yacht club when we had well-deserved light refreshment and a wonderful cooked crew supper, beef pie.

15 April â 22 April â week ashore for various shore-based courses.

23 April â After taking some photographs in the bay we went round to Darthaven Marina in Dartmouth in preparation for the change of skipper the next day.  In addition we did some chart work and day skipper preparation and met our new skipper.

24 April â Easter Sunday â Dartmouth to Fowey â Pleasantly across Start Bay and our previous overnight location of Salcombe, sunny bright and fresh winds from the west, rather shy winds, mixture of engine and sail with a rising tempo of vitriolic comments about the shortage of fuel.  The rising crescendo of thoughtful comments was concerns about fuel necessitating the entry to Falmouth amongst much traffic to purchase the most expensive fuel in the south-west, piloted expertly by Peter.

Departed Falmouth about 1500 after the Polperro experience to round the Lizard in confused seas and increasing wind. Crossing Penzance Bay we are close hauled against the tide race and disturbed winds but manage to get into Newlyn motor sailing aggressively on a single tack. Docking there is a challenge with the wind on our stern and skipper has to intervene rightly so before we are tied up. Darkness gathers and with the intervention of local fish and chips, and for Allyn and John a contemplative fag, all is right in the world.... and so to bed.

Easter Monday, 25 April: dawn departure from Newlyn Cornwall for St. Maryâs (Isles of Scilly)).  Unusually calm waters under sunny sky and light wind with gracious views of Wolf Rock and the elegant profile of the Scillonian Island Ferry, passing to our North. The simmering islands in crystal clear Caribbean waters great us on approach from the East. Our swinging mooring puts us a short dinghy ride from the town granite seawall. Our three days are blessed with sunshine and the delights of St. Agnes and then Tresco. John our local representative has us cycle around his home island, taking in the unbeatable views and an idyllic cafe al fresco at the Island Hotel. St. Agnes, in contrast is unspoiled: we recommend a walk across the island by the lighthouse to the church and the view of the western isles and rocks, all a severe hazard to ships and life over the centuries. The night at anchor is calm before we sail to Tresco for our final day there, where two of us are entranced by the world famous Abbey Gardens.  By 1600 we slip our swinging mooring in Tresco Sound near Cromwellâs Castle, in warm sunshine avoiding the disturbed water of Kettle Rock for the overnight passage across the Irish Sea. At sea on engine and main watches are 3 hours on and 3 off. Waves are up to 1 metre with wind close hauled. Allyn and John enjoy steering by the North Star for 4 hours. In addition Elspeth enjoyed steering by the North Star for a short while. Before 0400 conditions get misty, cold and uncomfortable. Skipper Hugh offered alternative ports to Waterford (Kilmore, Dunmore East) and we ultimately make our way to the River Suir, directly to Waterford City Marina.   The navigation was straight forward but the increasing cold wind did demand.  Elspeth pulled in the evening but it was only the toilet superintendent but we shouldnât have left her on her own.

Saturday 30 April

Shore leave from Waterford.  We left Waterford at 1800 and arrived Dunmore East 2000 hours tying up to a fishing boat and then retiring to the Strand Inn for much needed refreshment.

Sunday 1 May

Up early with the plan to go to Kilmore Quay but leg aborted because of strong head winds and concerns about the fuel.  Returned to Dunmore East (full fried in the Bay Cafe) where contact was made with âDaveâ who helped us obtain 120 litres of green diesel legitimately decanted into tank on board.  A notably decline in weather with approaching deep depression covering the whole of the centre of the Atlantic with associated fronts advancing towards Dunmore East, the only epic being engine failure smack in the middle of the harbour and the consequent man-handling of 15 tons of plastic boat along the side of a rusty trawler with associated expletives and good humour.  The opportunity was taken to source some engine spares and the boat made ready for departure on Thursday 5 May.  Lumpy conditions, strong south westerly winds put head to Tusca Rock hence as a preliminary to a miserably wet and windy passage northwards with a very strong stern wind (no sail) to arrive in Dublin 9.45 on Friday 6 May.

Having caught up on the log John expressed the hope it would not compromise his benefit claims.

Departed