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.

Weymouth bridge outbound.

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.

Once again we passed Border Force on our way out. 

Todays 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

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.

We were very glad to see Brixham Harbour.

20th June – Tuesday – Rest

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.  

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

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

The Town Museum is again free with donations.

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

Heck the signals are big up close.

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

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

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.

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

Big sky views of Torbay from Berry Head.

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 

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

Stunning views to the South.

The Jurassic cliffs make a great home for Guillemots.

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.

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.

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.