Monday 11 September 2023

Part 2 – Plymouth Plus

24th June – Brixham to Plymouth

We made a smooth early start at 07.30 to round Berry Head.  We then rocked for 2 hours before and after Start Point.  We then rocked even more across Big Bury Bay and the day became very hot.  The bonus was the large number of dolphins out to play.

IMG_3695

Start Point lighthouse.

The 41 miles took 9 hours to complete.  Going for a walk ashore was a must, to level our heads at the end of the day.

Our Barbican side temporary mooring was a little too ‘Ibiza’ like, and we asked to move the boat the day after.

We had been on a waiting list for Sutton Harbour Marina in Plymouth for a year.  Good moorings are worth waiting for.  We both like Sutton Harbour.  Friendly and professional staff and a great coffee area to meet new friends.  With easy access to town and off street parking.

27th June – Tuesday

Friends Martin, Ruth, Graham and Tilly the dog from the Isle of White of ‘Tearaway Too’ arrived for a few days.  We had a couple of boozy pre dinner meet ups and a meal at Himalayan Spice, where Mark and Carol (Yacht Gem) joined us.

29th June – Thursday

Another excellent town museum ‘The Box’ kept us entertained for a few hours. 

IMG_3709

The foyer is heaving with Figure Heads from ships (this is just a sample).  They are arranged in the ceiling above the café and make a great display.

IMG_3713 

Currently there is an exhibition of the work of Joshua Reynolds, who was born locally 300 years ago.

IMG_3717

Another artist who lived locally is Beryl Cook.  Famous for her pictures of comic groups.

3rd July – Monday

IMG_3740

My birthday meal at The Dome, which has the best view of Plymouth Sound.

5th July – Wednesday

Homeward bound for a few weeks.  The train journey was 11 hours with 3 changes.

We are home for Ella and Adrian’s wedding in Scotland, which was a very jolly outdoor camping event, if a little soggy.  Sometimes it pays to have a campervan.

received_3822438327983285[2490]

Love this picture.

We are also home for Evie’s 4th birthday and to meet our new Grandson Ezra.

20230721_132810

He likes a cuddle.  As does Pop Pop.

We had some lovely bonus meals out with friends as we were back for a few weeks.  It really broke the year up nicely.

27th July – Thursday – Back to the Boat.

320 miles in the van to Plymouth.

Then the rain came.  It had been pretty wet at home and was equally so in Plymouth.

30th July – Sunday

Dolly arrived.

20230731_163116

Over a few days we had a good walk to the Royal William Yard and then back on the ferry and some good walks and meals out.  Including our new favourite Supha’s.  Asian street food.  It is located far too handily across the harbour.

4th August – Friday

Day trip to Looe.  Neither of us had been before.  It is like a small version of Whitby, with a massive visitors car park.

Lots of small shops on small lanes, leading to the seaside.

20230804_135958

The river dries at low water.

20230804_142450

Mick taking the sea air.

8th August – Tuesday

We made a start on a sail to Falmouth.  Outside the marina, the fog had descended, so for the first time ever we turned round and headed back into the marina.  Better safe….

Over the next few days ….

We went to Capt Jaspers for our first, and not last big breakfast bap.  It is a legendary café on the harbourside in the Barbican which is open all hours.  A must for anyone and much beloved of the local Motorbiking fraternity.

Supha’s again for our wedding anniversary.

Saltram House.  Grand Day out on the bus. 

IMG_3877

Beautiful Georgian House and gardens.  Ring to make sure the upstairs is open if you are going to visit.  Lack of volunteers some days mean not all the house is open.

IMG_3898

We got up early to wave off the Oosterschelde, she was embarking on a journey to retrace the steps of Charles Darwin 200 years ago.

The ship had been a great attraction in the Barbican for a few days.  It is impressive to see such a large vessel handled in a small space.

Another Grand Day Out to Totnes.  What a pretty hippy town.  The main street, Fore Street is lined with bespoke and quirky shops and cafes.

IMG_3994

Beautiful and unusual shop window in Totnes.

IMG_3985

Fore Street.  Market days are regular.

IMG_3978

There is also a lovely riverside walk from the largest car park.

Totnes is located on the River Dart and made it’s name trading in wool and tin.  The merchants houses are still part of the town’s charm.

16th and 17th of August were the British Firework Championships.  What a spectacular.  We had a ringside seat from the back of the boat on the first night.  Then we walked out onto Plymouth Hoe for the second night.

IMG_3925

During our caravanning period in Plymouth, due to very poor weather, Mick decided to paint the window surrounds.  They fade in the sun over the years and from inside the fade is more noticeable.

IMG_3838

He skilfully masked off the window surrounds and windows to make sure the boat didn’t get an accidental respray.

20th August – Sunday – To Fowey – Sailing…… hurray

We set off at 07.30 to make the 23 mile trip to Fowey, arriving at noon.  We managed to get a river pontoon, then hopped on the water taxi to the Gallant Sailing Club for a Tapas lunch.  Not the full roast we were expecting but still delicious, with a view over the river.

IMG_4009

View from the harbourside.

IMG_4011

Arty-farty version

£25 per night on the river pontoon.  £6 return on the water taxi.

21st August – To Falmouth

We did not have to set off too early, as the journey is only 22 miles.  Leaving at 09.00 we arrived at 14.15.  The day was cloudy with a chill wind.

IMG_4031 Falmouth Town Quay.  We were moored on the outer pontoon, behind the Pilot boat.

22nd August – Tuesday

The town museum (upstairs in the Library) is always worth a look.  The current exhibition, The Legend of King Arthur.  A pre-Raphaelite Love Story. 

IMG_4016 Stunning tapestries.

IMG_4015

Beautiful paintings.  Like The Lady of Shallot by John William Waterhouse.

As a big William Morris fan, this was incredible and so unexpected.

We always enjoy our visits to Falmouth.  We will be back soon.

24th August – Thursday – Return trip to Plymouth from Falmouth

We set sail as the weather forecast for the next few days was not great and we didn’t want to get stuck.

We left the pontoon at 07.30 to make the 42 mile trip.  Which turned out to be quite eventful.

About 2 hours into the journey I had turned off the autopilot and had just taken the helm.  The wheel span in my hand and it was obvious something was wrong.  We put the engine into neutral and looked over the back of the boat.  We could see we were towing something…… A Lobster Pot.  There are so many lobster pots in these parts it is amazing we have never caught one before.  Mick lowered the sails and we came to a stop.

IMG_4036 

The rope needed to be cut free.  Mick deployed ‘James’s knife’.  A gift from our thoughtful friend James, at work, when we retired.  He used the longest boat hook to bring the rope above the water.  I then held the pole high as Mick ventured out onto the bathing platform to reach down and cut the rope.  A few seconds later a dismally small faded buoy popped out from under the hull.  We were free.  We have a rope cutter on the propeller, but it was the rudder, which had snagged the pot.  It must be frightening if this happens at night.

IMG_4047

A couple of hours later we also caught some strong weed on the rudders.  Usually we would leave it until we got to port but it was a big piece.  Above is just a portion of it.

And last but not least we dropped the pole overboard, so practiced our man overboard drill to retrieve it.  It is great that they float but they are not easy to see.  In a man overboard drill, one crew member constantly points at the item/casualty as turning the boat is disorientating and it is very easy to loose sight of the item.  Good to practise but not on such an eventful day.

We got to Plymouth in hot sunshine.  What a day.

30th August – Wednesday

Our last sail of the year was a trip around Plymouth sound from Jennycliff to Cawsands.  Very uneventful, but pretty.

1st Sept – Friday

Cawsands by road.  Along the A38, over the Tamar Toll Bridge then small roads to the car park above the village.

IMG_4063

Mick at Cawsands.  It is a pretty place.  It has a few shops and pubs.

We came back on the car ferry from Torpoint.

IMG_4071

Daisy the van on the ferry.  Cawsands is a much shorter trip by ferry and costs the same as the bridge, currently £2.60.

4th Sept – Monday

Trip out in the van to Wembury, (via Jennycliff), an English Heritage run car park at a beach, accessed by some of the narrowest roads we have encountered, care of the sat nav.  The road out was better but still narrow.  The roads round here can be nerve shredding.

5th Sept – Tuesday

A much more sedate trip to Dawlish, Teignmouth (pronounced Tinmuth) and Trago Leisure Park.

We like to explore the coast around a new marina.  It is very difficult around here.  The rivers mean there are very few coast roads and everywhere is a bit of a slog to get to.  We are used to easy access to everywhere in the North.

IMG_4085

The train above is on the new track which was built after the great storm of 2014 when the line went into the sea.

IMG_4083

The waves here are battering the same spot, on a very benign day.  It is obvious what the constant pounding has done to undermine the old line.

IMG_4078

Dawlish has a purpose built, pretty canal running down the main street.  With lots of little shops and cafes.

Teignmouth is only 3 miles away so we visited both.

IMG_4098

Teignmouth has a nice promenade and beach, which lead round to a smaller beach, where the ferry leaves from.  From the beach we followed our noses to a series of lanes with more shops and cafes.  We thought Dawlish was pretty and a bit upmarket, but there is more to do in Teignmouth.

On the way home we visited our third Trago Mills site of the season, near Newton Abbot.  The flagship Leisure Park.  I have honestly never seen a bigger retail space under one roof.  Then it goes on and on.  Quite clever as you need a sit down and an ice cream just walking through the site.

Over the next few days we carried out all the end of season jobs.  With a few visits to our new favourite Portuguese café called ‘Lisbon’.  Luxurious delicate pastries aplenty.  Not to be missed.  Google if you are n town, it is worth the walk.

And so the season ends.  It has been an odd one.  All the North Easterly winds in Part 1 repositioning the boat to her new home for the winter covering almost 600 miles.  A three week trip home.  During which time the rained poured.  Returning for Part 2 to more rain and more caravanning by boat.  Thank goodness we had the van to enable us to explore a little of Devon and Cornwall.

It has been lovely meeting up with friends old and new.  The good ship Tearaway Too.  Mark and Carol on Gem and his lovely mum and auntie, and of course Andy (aka Dolly).

We also met Christine and Adam on their boat Asteria, who are ultimately going to cross the Atlantic.  Mick helped them with some practicalities and we wish them the very best for their adventure.

Sutton Harbour is a good new home from home and we look forward to a full season across the channel next year.

Once again thanks for reading.  Your kind comments help a lot but please leave your name.

Cheers ‘n’ Beers

Friday 30 June 2023

Late June 2023 – Brixham

19th June – Monday – Weymouth to Brixham

We had informed the Harbour Master on Sunday, as a courtesy, that we would be leaving with the 08.00am bridge, as we were only passing through to the waiting pontoon.  See the 3 green lights on the bottom right.

IMG_3555

Weymouth bridge outbound.

IMG_3556

We made immediately for the waiting pontoon on the right.  There was a large Catamaran already waiting but he had left plenty of space for us.  He was heading straight to Norway we were heading the other way.

IMG_3559

Once again we passed Border Force on our way out. 

IMG_3564Todays passage is all about timing.  We left the waiting pontoon at 09.00am to catch the tide around Portland Bill.  The navigation was planned to go outside the Shambles (buoy) and round the Bill at High Water Dover minus one hour, which was about Mid Day taking the outside passage as it was a Spring Tide.  The tides really run at this time of the month

IMG_3592

The first few hours were quite calm and we even managed the first crossword of the year.  However, there were many fishing pots to avoid.  Approaching the Bill the sea became rougher and carried on as washing machine seas across Lyme Bay, out of sight of land for the rest of our 52 mile passage.  We arrived in Brixham at 18.30 after 9 and a half hours.   We were very tired and thoroughly shaken to bits.  The cold wind had been present all day too, on the nose.

IMG_3594

We were very glad to see Brixham Harbour.

20th June – Tuesday – Rest

IMG_3597

Rest with beer at The Mermaid.

21st June – Wednesday – Newton Abbot

At 11.30 a bit later than normal we set off for the £2 bus to Newton Abbot.  On Tuesday we saw Newton Abbot on the front of a bus and after a bit of googling decided to go.  The bus went through Paignton and Torquay which we visited last time. After one hour and 10 minutes later we arrived, what excellent value.  

IMG_3604

The first place you see is the magnificent 7 day market hall.

IMG_3607

St Leonards Tower dates back to the 12th century and marks the centre of this historic market town.

IMG_3608

The Town Museum is again free with donations.

IMG_3610

A full set of railway signal handles can be used to move the full sized signals nearby.  You need big muscles.

IMG_3611

Heck the signals are big up close.

IMG_3617

The converted church had been very well done and passed a good hour.

Newton Abbot has a gentile feeling and is obviously prosperous judging by the quality of Austin's Department store.

It was a very hot day and the return bus journey finished us off.  Back to The Mermaid.

22nd June – Thursday

IMG_3620

Another very hot day lead us to seek shade in the Brixham Museum.  What a Tardis.  Lots to see and again a couple of hours passed quickly.

23rd June – Friday

IMG_3634

The café on the beach near the marina lead us to the walk up Berry Head, which is the headland that forms the southern boundary of Torbay.  It is a national nature reserve and Iron Age Hill Fort.  Stone fortifications were built between 1794 and 1804 to protect the bay against French invasion.

IMG_3641

After the Lido and the large hotel, look out for the path for Berry Head.

IMG_3642

Big sky views of Torbay from Berry Head.

IMG_3644

The café and visitor centre are worth stopping for.  The café is excellent.  There is also a very good video presentation explaining the history of Berry Head 

IMG_3646

Berry Head lighthouse is still operational and well protected from vandals.  Vandalism can cost lives, as the signs say.

IMG_3647

Stunning views to the South.

IMG_3648

The Jurassic cliffs make a great home for Guillemots.

IMG_3650

We came up because of the information we read the previous day at Brixham museum.  A garrison of several hundred soldiers defended the bay.  The fort was used by the Royal Observer Corp during the wars and cold war, an underground Cold War monitoring post was also constructed here.  Brixham was also a centre for D-Day preparations.

IMG_3665

Brixham Harbour from the Berry Head Path.

Sailors Info

Top tip:  Pay for two days at a time, the longer you are there the cheaper it gets.

Brixham harbour has very good facilities.  The Town Centre is a 20 minute walk.

The bus station is hidden right in the centre of town.  The town is a warren with lots of steps and ginnels.

Small Tesco and Co-op supermarkets are available on the High Street.  There are lots of cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from.

IMG_3655

Brixham Marina, with substantial breakwater.  We have really enjoyed Brixham.  The weather has helped.

We arrived in Plymouth on the 24th June.  This is the end of Part 1.  Part 2 starts at the end of July after a trip home.

Enjoy your summer.