A big day for Topaz Rival as she was delivered to Baltic Wharf for her winter refit. Dawn and Colin joined me for the trip up river from Noss. Topaz seemed unusually slow, even under engine, and when we arrived at Totnes, the reason became apparent as she was bringing a whole colony of mussels with her. Obviously, the anti-foul could not cope with the marine life of the River Dart. The work has mostly been organised for the winter and watch this space for updates on how it is all going. The mast is due to come down tomorrow and the engine comes out on Monday. Sails have already gone to Dart Sails and Covers for a wash, repairs and new UV strip to replace the genoa's unpleasant brown with a suitable marine blue.



In good spirits on the way up river



Some of the marine life given a lift

Taken tentative steps to go back to the Caribbean in 2020. Signed up to for the ARC+ today as the list is getting full already and would like to have the option even if we decide later to go to the Mediterranean instead. We shall see - the fee is largely refundable until July next year and we could always swap to join the ARC Portugal.

Should have been an easy downwind sail back to Dartmouth but the wind got up to the top end of a F5 and was accompanied by a good bit of the wet stuff. As we rounded Start Point it became clear that Regatta week had started as Dartmouth Bay was full of yachts. Tied up in the pouring rain! Thank goodness for the marina staff.

Debated whether to stop off in Salcombe or sail the whole way back to Dartmouth. Salcombe can be tricky with two dogs as the dinghy pontoon can get very busy! However, having discovered that I can launch the Portabote singlehanded (under Ewart's guidance) I though it was worth the risk coming in on my own. All the mooring buoys were taken and opted for the quieter option of the visitors' pontoon in "The Bag". Good choice as we had the last alongside berth and a short dinghy ride to some loverly cornfields off Tosnos Point. Took the dogs into town in the morning before leaving for Dartmouth.



The dogs give directions to the best walking spot

Continuing West and we had a good sail down to Fowey, mainly using the genoa downwind. Here we rafted next to a Nauticat on a mooring buoy in a very crowded spot. Not surprising as it was the end of Festival Week. The whole placed was packed walking the dogs - not even room enough for a quick pint - and then the fireworks started. Thought we had escaped this (on Buzz’s behalf) in Regatta week in Dartmouth but we were moored not 20 yards from the launch site of a very big display! Buzz woofed for a while but then went silent.

Not much sailing in August, as weather not brilliant. However, Dawn and I had a few days down on the boat in the middle of the month as she was playing in Ilfracombe at the weekend. The weather prevented us from going out, but we did make a decision to have the winter refit done at Baltic Wharf, so Topaz Rival will be coming out of the water at the end of September.
However, Ewart and I braved the Bank Holiday weekend with a planned trip going westwards. First stop the River Yealm where I have never been before. Great place, very quiet and we tied up on a river pontoon before a pub supper in Noss Mayo.