Day Four - Weymouth to Teignmouth - Tuesday 22nd July

Another early start beckoned to get round Portland Bill at slack water and Weymouth harbour was beautiful in the rising sun.

We motored past Portland Harbour and prepared for the Bill, which in the event was a very calm area of water.

So much so we were able to take photos of each other with the light house in the background. It took 11 and a half hours to make the crossing of Lyme Bay, much of it under motor in the very light N/NE wind.

Nearer Teignmouth the wind shifted round to S/SW and increased to a nice level F3 or so, but about 2 miles out suddenly got up to the level where a reef was on the cards but with the entrance so close we sailed into the mouth to drop sails and motor to the visitors pontoon.

My parents had come down to see the boat and watched us come in from the point. Once we had tied up and paid the Harbour Master, Humphrey, he kindly used his rib to bring them out to the pontoon, where they had a look round the boat and compared notes with the others.

The visitors pontoon is about 30 metres from the shore and we inflated a dinghy to run relays to the shore. A real find was the toilets and shower under the Beachcomber Cafe which is near the pier. Run by Ray, they must be the cleanest public facilities I have ever seen, run with a clear passion for doing a job well. Very entertaining and helpful, Ray was a character to remember.

Photographs - Weymouth harbour at dawn, Leaving Weymouth, Passing Portland harbour, Siesta and Damson at the Bill, Egret towards Teignmouth, Siesta just off Teignmouth, Peter and Mum, Dad having thre finer points of Drascombes explained by Richard and Nick.