I was out of the water for just over a week having some new anti-foul and anodes. Back in the water again on Tuesday. M&N came on board on Wednesday and loaded up the cruising essentials (beer, wine, gin, tonic and some food). We set off from Darthaven into a rolly sea on Thursday for a shake-down cruise west for a few days. After about 45 minutes the automatic bilge pump came on and wouldn’t turn off, meaning that water was entering the bilge despite M making sure it was empty that morning. M checked and there was water in the bilge and under the engine, looking like maybe a leak in the engine cooling system. We turned back to Darthaven where luckily the chief engineer was able to have a quick look. It turned out to be a cracked fresh water pump and nothing to do with the engine, so OK to go for our cruise and get a new water pump on our return.
We had missed the strong Spring tide around Start Point so waited until Friday and headed out again. We had a lovely sail down the stunning South Hames coastline to the River Yealm where we picked up a mooring buoy in this quiet and peaceful spot. It was cold and damp so hot water bottles were called into action.
Next morning we left the Yealm and headed up Plymouth Sound to Plymouth Yacht Haven at Mountbatten. M&N had been there by land during their South West Coast Path walk but it was a first by sea for all of us. It is a nice sheltered marina with good facilities and friendly staff. M&N had a good walk in the afternoon then drinks and dinner on board.
The next day we sailed the short distance across Plymouth Sound and past Drakes’s Island to the anchorage off Cawsand (see photo). It was sunny but quite windy. M&N went ashore in Annie (Annie Avon, our dinghy) for a stroll in the twin village (part in Devon and part in Cornwall) then back on board to watch the comings and goings of boats in the anchorage, finally leaving a few of us to spend the night in the bay. My new LED anchor light worked well.
On Sunday we lifted the anchor and started out from the bay. A black RIB with flashing blue lights and armed (but very polite) marines came over and asked us to stay around Cawsand until a big Naval ship had gone through the channel. We weren’t going to argue! The wind dropped as forecast and we motored to Salcombe where we picked up a mooring buoy. M&N went ashore in Annie. It is a lovely mooring with lots going on as well as picturesque.
The wind was also forecast to be light the next day but as soon as we were out of Salcombe it picked up to a nice force 4 for an enjoyable sail back around Start Point and into the Dart, to moor up at Darthaven late morning. Mark & Sarah were working on their boat which had been out of the water for a week, so they came on board for a drink. M&N had gone to get some provisions and Sarah called them to say that a visiting French boat had rammed me while making a mess of getting into the berth next to me. Luckily no damage despite then having three attempts and hitting me each time, Maybe something to do with Brexit! M&N stayed on board overnight then did boat jobs and clearing up, going home in the afternoon.
A very good shake down cruise for the season. We are looking forward to the next cruise in June!
Katrina
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