18 September 2015 | Beaulieu River, UK 50’27.32N 2’32.09W – Hayling Yacht Company, Hayling Island, UK 50 48.27’N 0’58.24W via Wicor Marine, UK
14 September 2015 | St Anne, Alderney 49’43.47N 2’11.35W – Beaulei River, UK 50’27.32N 2’32.09W via Studland Bay, UK
12 September 2015 | Gosselin, Sark 49’25.78N 2’22.70W – St Anne, Alderney 49’43.47N 2’11.35W
07 September 2015 | St Peter Port, Guernsey 49’27.32N 2’32.09W – Harve Gosselin, Sark 49’25.78N 2’22.70W
01 September 2015 | Tregarvan, Aulne River, France 48’15.16N 4’14.00W – St Peter Port, Guernsey 49’27.32N 2’32.09W via Cameret Sur Mer, France & Herm, Guernsey
23 August 2015 | Ile de Penfret, Iles de Glenan, France 47’43.05N 3’57.04W – Tregarvan, Aulne River, France 48’15.16N 4’14.00W via Anse de Kerautret, River Odet, France, Englishmans Cove, River Odet, France & Camerat sur Mer, France
19 August 2015 | Treac’h er Gourhed, Ile Houat, France 47’22.99N 2’56.85W - Ile de Penfret, Iles de Glenan, France 47’43.05N 3’57.04W via Port Kerel, Belle Ile, France & Port Tudy, Groix, France
14 August 2015 | La Rochelle, France 46’08.60N 1’10.09W – Treac’h er Gourhed, Ile Houat, France 47’22.99N 2’56.85W via Anse des Vieilles, Ile d’Yeu, France & Trebezy, St Nazaire, France
08 August 2015 | Anse l’Oubye, Ile de Re, France 46 09.2455 N 1’15.50W – La Rochelle, France 46’08.60N 1’10.09W
04 August 2015 | Ribadesella, Spain 43’27.81N 5’03.71W – Anse l’Oubye, Ile de Re, France 46 09.2455 N 1’15.50W
01 August 2015 | Ribadesella, Spain 43’27.81N 5’03.71W
28 July 2015 | Luarco, Spain 43’32.87N 6’32.08W – Ribadesella, Spain 43’27.81N 5’03.71W via Laurno
24 July 2015 | Ria Vivero, Spain 43’40.55N 7‘36.16W – Luarco, Spain 43’32.87N 6’32.08W via Ribadeo, Spain
21 July 2015 | Ria de Cedeira, Spain 43’39.26N 8’03.74W – Ria Vivero, Spain 43’40.55N 7‘36.16W
16 July 2015 | Vila Franca do Campo, Sao Miguel, Azores 37’43.01N 25’25.75W – Ria de Cedeira, Spain 43’39.26N 8’03.74W, via Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores
06 July 2015 | Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores 37’44.29N 25’39.94W – Vila Franca do Campo, Sao Miguel, Azores 37’43.01N 25’25.75W
30 June 2015 | Angra do Heroismo, Terceira, Azores 38’39.15N 27’12.97W – Ponta Delgada, Sao Migual, Azores 37’44.29N 25’39.94W
25 June 2015 | Velas, Sao Jorge, Azores 38’40.82N 28’12.16W – Angra do Heroismo, Terceira, Azores 38’39.15N 27’12.97W
19 June 2015 | Horta, Faial, Azores 38’31.99N 28’37.50W – Velas, Sao Jorge, Azores 38’40.82N 28’12.16W via Cais do Pico, Pico Azores
I crown you Sir Lewis.
19 March 2012 | 50’21.298N, 03’34.530W - 50’21.734N, 07’07.780W
If someone had tried to sell me a sail from Dartmouth to Plymouth in March, upwind with the breeze going right just as you wanted to go right, I wouldn't have purchased no matter what sort of Tesco's deal was put on the table. If however someone had tried to sell me what we have just had today then I would have bitten their hand, arm and shoulder off.
Our time in free Dartmouth had to come to an end and it did so abruptly at 6am today as we had to catch the westbound tide at 7am. We motored out in bright crisp blue skies and as expected from the GRIB files we found that the wind had been stolen. Hay-ho. We were happy basking in the sun like seals on rocks, getting swept by the tide west and then the breeze filled in. We had 10 knots from the WSW enabling us to beat to Start point and then fetch into Plymouth. The sun was shining, the boat was sailing herself and we were warm to the point of overheating (albeit in our thermals). What a difference a bit of sunshine makes to the mind body and soul. The phrase champagne sailing is often used, but this was more than just champagne, this was vintage Bollinger sailing.
There must have been some significant chat along the chirpvine this week (similar to the grape vine but bird based) as we had another hitchhiker. There must be a bird bulletin board somewhere advertising us as a free ride westwards. Unlike Cheryl, he was only with us for a couple of hours so we didn't get properly introduced but we enjoyed his company none the less. He was last seen making his way to Salcombe where we are sure he is to find his mate.
Coming into Plymouth we made a flyby of Drakes Island. This is an island fortress in the centre of Plymouth sound, Iain spent a week here as a child doing outward bound activities. The place now looks like a prison (although it's a manned military station) with boarded up windows over all the buildings, warning signs on the jetty and a feeling of austereness. All very unwelcoming, just off it are some Royal Marine moorings which we were thinking of pulling in some favours to pick up, but we wanted to be sure they weren't too exposed beforehand. Stay posted on this front as if we can get permission, exploring the island will be an experience and a half.
We have now picked up a bouy off Queen Anne's Battery just opposite the barbican, the sun is shining, there is no swell to mention and it's probably time for a sundowner, after a really tremendous day. Fiona has however gone a little bonkers as she is using the fishing rod like sword, behaving like a queen and wanting the knight everything in sight. I hope it's not sunstroke.
Reaching into Plymouth Sound.
Working out where to go once inside.
The setting sun in the most naval of ports.
We could finally see'comings and goings' in the sunshine.