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.

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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.

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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.

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.