Position:    50:19:50N 04:09:07W
Plymouth

We planned our next stop for Plymouth just a short 35 mile sail around Start Point, past Salcombe and across Bigbury Bay. Start Point is another outcrop into the English Channel that creates it’s own rough conditions and strong currents so we felt the smart move was to steer way south and away from it’s effects, ignoring the local boats (which often causes one to wonder what they know and you don’t?).

Fog!
It wasn’t too long before the mist turned to a morning fog with visibility down to just a few hundred meters for about an hour or so. This gave us an opportunity to cruise on instruments (well, there is always a bright side!) with myself sitting on one of the bow seats for good measure. It’s amazing how quietness also descends in morning mist and your hearing perks up. It’s at these times you are glad you do the regular ship’s log – just in case. It’s too easy to completely rely on electronics all the time.

Plymouth Sound is huge. We knew we arrived by the presence of four huge high rise grey Naval ships anchored just inside the mile long breakwater at the entrance and the RIBs buzzing around them! (I’m glad I’m not a baddie! These ships are really intimidating.)
Davenport, (within Plymouth Sound) is one of the largest naval bases in the UK.

It was a simple navigation to cruise to the Plymouth Yacht Haven (really helpful staff by the way). The space allocated to us was a cozy meter shorter than our boat. So it was just as well the staff had also noticed this too and came over to move the cute little 25 meter Princess high rise motor yacht along the pontoon for us while we circled.

We awoke the next morning to an abrupt and solid thump! Scraping sound even! The tidal current combined with the howling wind had created the ‘perfect rocking harmonic’ and our beautiful chrome side ladder had been ‘hooked’ off it’s mounting, fallen down on to a spring line and then sandwiched itself between the dock and our beautiful new navy gel coat – a little like a pointed, ridged, steel fender – ugh! The result - an inch long white gouge that could be seen from the other side of Plymouth Sound (ok, just a little exaggeration but that’s how much it hurt anyway). Never again will steps be left on overnight. Four days later the fantastic people on the marina, “All Boat Services” and the awesome Claire at Discovery Yachts came the rescue and after a lot of effort our beautiful boat was like new again! Ahhhhhh  ….peace again

Anyway, about Plymouth.
There is loads of history in Plymouth.
Francis Drake went down in history for choosing to continue to finish his important game of bowls on the Hoe before leaving to destroy that irksome Spanish Armada spotted heading for England and had the impudence to potentially interrupt his game. The Armada was largest armed fleet ever assembled by any navy previously  ..no pressure on Drake then.
I wonder if he won his game?

‘The Sound’ is also were the Mayflower left for the New World (hmmm? Another place!).
This is also where Sir Walter Raleigh left to …………………. (I bet you didn’t know he also installed the running water for the town too!)
Plymouth was also heavily involved in the civil war and for it’s effort ended up a huge fort at the entrance complete with armaments – facing towards the town! Me thinks maybe they chose the wrong team?

Because Plymouth is such a large Royal Navy base it got pretty bombed during WWII - the rebuild has given the town an ‘interesting’ mix of architecture certainly but it’s best to leave one’s opinion at that maybe.

Shake, rattle and Roll!
We awoke on the second morning to the LOUDEST ROAR I have ever heard!
Anything that could shake, did shake.
Anything that could rattle, did rattle!
Anything that could wobble, did wobble! (I do really need to diet)

The sound died down then, CAME BACK, again and again! Les had been talking of getting a new alarm clock. It was one the latest jet fighters doing a dance just for us in the Plymouth skies! Flying so low and so fast, rising so high and so vertical you could easily see the red flames roaring from the engines – everyone was on their decks looking up.
Yet again, you wouldn’t want to be a baddie. I’d give in after one fly past!

Les had obviously let the local commander know we were arriving. It was the only explanation for the huge naval ships in the harbor waiting for us and now this. Well done Les!

Ah! All was revealed later that morning when we went into town.
It wasn’t for us after all L.
It was Nation Armed Forces Day and Plymouth had been chosen as the venue. All three armed services and their associates came together so that the public could thank the armed personnel for keeping us safe (particularly these days) and the armed services could show the public what the money is spent on!
Everything was there. Military ships of every size, The Red Arrows, Fighter planes, Helicopters, Rescue Helicopter displays, Tanks, Guns of every size, Tents, Hospital Tents, Marching bands, Explosives, Cannons, you name it they had it! ..and everything available to be climbed on, sat in, aimed with. Very impressive. Great Public Relations. 
..they even had recruitment tents.

My ‘ol Buddy David...
As we wandered around the crowds we were interrupted by another small group of VIPs. They seemed to be making a bee line for us. It turned out to be my ‘ol buddy ‘David Cameron’ the Prime Minister (well I recognized him even if he didn’t recognize me and I’m sure he would have said, “Hi John!”, had he not be chaperoned off to the side). He had come down from London to show his support for the armed services. He and 4 others were just wandering around the show, chatting to everyone. The UK does this so well.
I’m always impressed with the UK’s bodyguard service. It is always so understated. If you really looked around security were there, but they remained fairly hidden and unobtrusive being careful not to spoil the occasion with big boots and guns. They really have style. I think the US Dept. of Homeland Security might improve it’s own image by taking a few notes from watching these guys in action. 
Rain held off today until ‘just before’ the Red Arrow display. Then made up for it’s oversight for the next few hours.
Oh, I’m told the one or two of the minor Royals also came down but we never heard anything of them.

I originally came from the Thames Valley and enjoy a pint of ale, particularly ‘London Pride’ – but. I really think ale gets better from here on west! The ale is getting even better!

Welcome Bob & Cathy, eh!
We were really pleased to welcome Torontonians Bob and Cathy on board for a few days! Though not so pleased to see their sun-tans. They might have had to work for their tans via a tough 6 weeks sailing the Greek islands and touring Tuscany but that was no excuse!
It’s gonna be tough on me but I feel it’s my duty to show our Canadian friends why a real warm ale served in a real English pub in a real English village is the global reference point that bars the world over strive to copy but never quite achieve! oy yes, and a proper Devon Cream Tea is going to be a must too!

Any note wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the English weather. Yes, it rained every day. The Met office confirmed that the LAST 3 MONTHS have been the wettest April, May, June since records began. It’s been pretty chilly too.
Most importantly. Bob likes real warm English Ale and Cathy appreciates a proper Cream Tea!
..smart guys!