Thursday 8th July - Yarmouth

Thursday was a lovely day in Yarmouth and having had two quite long and hard days on the water we decided to have a day off and explore more of the island.

Catching a bus from the stand just along form the marina offices, we elected for the long trip, and managed to get a seat at the front of the upstairs deck.

The Solent look blue and inviting as we trundled down to Alum Bay. I had forgotten how many times a local bus service stopped, but we eventually set off along the southern shore of the island, which, in contrast to the north, was very misty.

Having passed numerous thatched houses and other very nice properties, we eventually arrived at our destination, Newport.

Adam has an ambition to go to the Isle of Wight festival and we thought that using the boat as a base would be good so we planned to use the day to recce the festival location and the mooring options.

Seaclose Park still bore the evidence of this years festival which had taken place the month before. The visitors moorings were quiet when we went but I suspect they would have been crowded with vessels bringing festival goers a few weeks earlier.

After lunch and a visit to several fashion shops to buy some sunglasses for A, we caught our bus back to Yarmouth where ice creams on the pier were the order of the day.

There we got together the makings of a BBQ and found a place on the foreshore to cook. Inevitably we attracted the attention of passers-by, one of whom was a skipper of a yacht moored out in the river. As we discussed who had been where during the season so far, he remarked that he had been in Weymouth a week or so before when some intrepid Drascombers had been in for the night and had set off early the next day to travel inshore to Poole. I waited until he finished telling us how much he admired them before telling him that I had been in the group he was talking about. His admiration grew when I told him that we were actually on our way back from Dartmouth. It was a nice moment.

Wednesday 7th July - Shepherds Wharf - Cowes

Although warm, the day dawned grey and cloudy and we decided to to set off early to get the best of the tide, in spite of the wind being light but quite southerly.

Soon after we set off the wind increased and became more westerly, on the nose. As the tide built so did the waves so it was an easy decision to put into Newtown Creek to sit it out until the tide changed and the waves would diminish.

We revelled in the 'comfort' of the Shrimper. To be able to go below and sit in the warm, drinking coffee, reading or watching a DVD was luxury compared to the exposed feeling of our old lugger 'Chloe'.

3 hours later and we emerged into a totally different Solent, warm, sunny and with a slight sea state. Unfortunately the tide was coming in swiftly so after a brief sail we put the motor on and hugged the shore, heading for Yarmouth.

Outside the harbour, Wednesday night racing was in full swing, but having dodged the fast cruisers we entered the harbour and were directed to a nice spot on the walk ashore pontoons.

After further liaison with Brad we decided that the weather window to get to Poole, and back again, didn't look good so reluctantly we abandoned that plan and decided to use the rest of the week to explore the Solent instead.

Tuesday 6th July - Chichester to Keyhaven

The plan was to sail to Poole to do some research for the book. Appointments were made and a planned rendezvous with Brad agreed. It was also Adam's work experience fortnight, so we had several tasks to achieve, the first of which was getting to Keyhaven. It was always going to be a long haul and contingencies were in place to stop off wherever we fancied.As it was, in spite of a good current, once we had left Chichester, pushing us along the wind was light and on the nose so we quickly agreed that Cowes was a much more realistic port to aim for. Having set out at about 14.00 we were tied up in Shepherds wharf by about 20.00 and both of us were ready for the pub. The bonus from Adams point of view was the World Cup match between Uruguay and the Netherlands that was being shown.

Having spoken to Brad the weather, which had been forecast to be good, didn't look as though it was going to hold, but we agreed to review it in the morning and revise our plans accordingly.

Day Twelve - Poole to Cowes and onwards - Wednesday 30th June

Another early start on a very low tide caused a few minor moments in Blood Alley for the deeper keeled Drifters but we were soon out in the Looe Channel heading across the bay for Hurst.

We met Barry Fudge waiting on the point for us, where we had a chat over VHF before using the rest of the tide to swiftly take us up the Solent to Cowes. En route we were chased up the channel by some magnificent yachts. Simon left the main fleet to make his way to Ashlett to haul out.

We made Cowes in good time and spent a lazy afternoon on the pontoons before adjourning to an Italian restaurant to celebrate the completion of the voyage. From Cowes the rest of the fleet would disperse to their various ports.

Jeff and I left that evening for a night sail back to Chichester. Once of the yachts that had over taken us in the Solent was moored up just outside Cowes as we left.

The Solent was a totally different place at night and following the lights across towards Chichester was an interesting experience. We anchored at Itchenor to spend the rest of the night before mooring up in Chichester marina the following morning.

The voyage was complete a journey of nearly 350 miles in total - not bad considering, as Peter Tiplady put it " to think three weeks ago your boat was a large drum of epoxy". It was a great experience, in great company, with superb weather the whole way there and back.

Now looking forward to the next adventure.

Photographs - The fleet departs Blood Alley, two monsters in the Solent, the fleet in Shepherds Wharf Cowes, the gang (l- r, me, Jeff, Nick, Lizzie, Richard, Miles, Peter), Night scene.

Day Eleven - Weymouth to Poole - Tuesday 29th

We left Weymouth early the next day not only to get the tide around St Albans Head, but aslo as the Range Officer had indicated that firing from Lulworth would resume at 09.30 over a range of 3.5 miles off shore. This would give us a long offshore leg to complete so we reasoned that by setting off early we would be past the point of no return by the time the military wanted to start firing. As it was we were well through long before the deadline.

Jeff and I popped in to Lulworth Cove for a quick look en route.

We all stopped in Chapmans Pool for coffee and then rounded St Albans Head with quite calm seas. The wind filled in after that and we had a good sail into Poole past Old Harry.

Once we were anchored up in Blood Alley we were treated to an almost biblical sight - at first we assume Simon was going to formally christen Mac - it turned out he was in need of a comfort break......

Photographs - Lulworth Cove, Lizzie rounding the Horn, Skylark romping along, Old Harry Rocks, Gandalf and his pet.....

Day Ten - Brixham across Lyme Bay - Monday 28th June

We had been joined in our trip from Dartmouth by Douglas Hopwood who had come along for the sail. He actually planned to sail back to Plymouth via Salcombe so we left him in his snug cabin as we departed on the early tide across Lyme Bay. The bay was as flat as a mill pond for most of the way across. The only other boat we saw was a local trawler plugging across the bay ahead of us.

We had to anchor in West Bay for several hours to wait for the stream around Portland Bill. Jeff and I tried out the new hand line and caught a couple of mackerel which we filleted and fried as a snack.

Once the current turned we set out and made the rounding in quite calm water.

We settled in Weymouth for the night after a long day ready for the next leg of the voyage.

Photographs - A calm bay, Local trawler, Approaching Portland Bill, The lighthouse, Jeff at the helm.

Day Nine - Rally departure - Sunday 27th June

The following day was again sunny and hot. The planned 'Chairman s' manoeuvres were cancelled in preference of a long lie in and breakfast. Most of the trailer fleet pulled out by lunch time had departed for their home ports/addresses, which left the Solent bound fleet to make their way down to Dartmouth to re-stock and linger in whatever shade could be fund until the tide turned in favour of the eastbound passage to Brixham. We were joined on the return leg by Miles and Lizzie Tisdall in their Coaster Skylark.

The wind filled in nicely on the trip along the coast and we had a superb sail into the harbour in the evening sun. A local yachtsman even came over and commented how hard he had been trying to catch us.... (possibly not a compliment about the Drascombe/Shrimper performance, rather an observation of ability.....)

Safely tied up we made full use of the facilities again, the marina obligingly deciding to charge us a short stay in view of our early morning departure.

.

Photograph - Visitors pontoon at Brixham

Day Eight - Dart Rally - Saturday 26th June

Following a briefing from Simon the previous evening, the fleet of 22 or so tan sailed craft (OK 21 Drascombes and a Shrimper) set sail down river and out to sea to r/v offshore at Blackpool Sands. There was a little wind in the river but this soon died as we emerged from the harbour and a motor along the shore was the order on the day.

A cove just beyond Blackpool Sands was selected to avoid the crowds. The sun was hot and the water looked inviting.....but it was a lot quicker getting out than in....

After a leisurely lunch and row round the anchorage the fleet start the return journey, accompanied by Douglas on the flute - "Pied Piper???"

I stopped off on the journey to pick up Jeff Higgins who had travelled down by train from Marlow, including a ride on Thomas the Tank engine, to join me for the return voyage to the Solent.

The wind came up and we sailed most of the way to Tuckenhay where Simon had booked us in for a BBQ at the Malsters Arms - and very nice it was to.

.

A motor back to Dittisham where we joined the end of a raft and settled down for the night.

Photographs - Chocolate box shore side cottage at Dittisham, Sandy and John Parfitt in Dartmouth, Daislebee with sun cover up, Fleet at Blackpool Sands, Douglas playing us in, BBQ at Tuckenhay, some of the fleet at the quay.

Day Seven - Brixham to Dartmouth - Join the Rally - Friday 25th June

The sun rose to reveal another lovely day, so I took the opportunity to wander around Brixham and take some shots without the tourists getting in the way.

The anchor was found in the bay and is thought to be 300 years old - looks in good shape to me.

The replica of the Golden Hind looking pretty in the sunlight

A local trawler manoeuvres in the harbour - the front page in the local paper told the story of a trawler (not this one) running into the breakwater whilst the skipper wasn't paying attention - it apparently sent anglers on the breakwater "reeling" in shock (obviously an ex Sun editor.....).

A sailing smack entering Brixham harbour.

The sail along the coast to Dartmouth was fantastic - especially when this sailing smack came up on us from the west. Peter dipped round behind it to have a good look.

The fleet closed up on the approach to Dartmouth entrance and we were welcomed by members of the fleet that had come up form Plymouth the day before.

We made our way up the harbour the the Dittisham anchorage were the usual Drascombe rafts were formed up, with Daislebee on the end.

An evening ashore with a fish and chip supper went down very well and returning to the raft the moon came up just over the hill.

Day Six - Teignmouth to Brixham - Thursday 24th June

A leisurely start for us - leaving by 10.00 to catch the tide with a gentle sail down to Babbacombe where we picked up some moorings laid down by the Carey Arms.

Whilst we had lunch a young couple came up through the anchorage, having paddled form Teignmouth, heading for Torquay - a good job it was a calm day or the picnic would have been wet.

Following lunch we had what felt like a brisk sail into Torbay, but the reality was the wind was heading us and progress over the ground was poor, so sails furled and on with the motor into Brixham marina.

The showers at the marina were a godsend and suitably refreshed we headed into town for a curry and to see the sights.

Pictures - Babbacombe Bay and the Carey Arms, Virginia and Siesta moored up, the paddling couple, Brixham from the breakwater entrance, the fleet alongside the visitors pontoon at Brixham marina.

Day Five - Rest day Teignmouth - Wednesday 23rd June

The following day was a rest day for most of the fleet, although Simon (and Mac) departed for Dartmouth in order to make the final arrangements for the rally.

The rest of us re-visited Ray at his gleaming facilities, did some shopping and generally relaxed. The sun was so hot I had to make up a temporary bimini cover to find some shade.

After lunch we caught the ferry across to Shaldon, a small village on the other side of the

harbour.

We walked around visiting various places that I had known since a child. Some were the same, others changed beyond recognition. We walked up to the Ness, through the Smugglers tunnel and out onto Ness beach, which provided a great view of our route for the following day.

Returning to the pontoon we had a BBQ and were joined by Mike Lloyd and Derek Wain, two local Drascombers, who were going to sail to the Dart rally on Friday.

Pictures - Simon and Mac returning from a shore visit, Simon departing for Dartmouth in Damson, the shore party, Daislebee with sun cover, Shaldon village, the ferry, Harbour entrance with the Ness headland, Ness beach towards Torquay and Brixham, Richard in the Smugglers tunnel.