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.

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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.