Sat 2 Jul
07:30 DEP St Peters Port
We planned to leave early and catch the tide running northward at 3kts. Avoided a cruise ship and the pilot boat outside the harbour entrance and we ‘flew’ up Little Russel.
The wind direction was the reason we had to leave today and cross the 70NM stretch of water. Steady f4 SW later veering W and increasing. However from tomorrow onwards NORTHERLIES. Plan ahead and seize the day.
High clouds in open waters tell a story. Small cumulus form over the land and whilst out at sea you can pick out the coast of France and each of the Channel Islands without seeing land itself.
Once out in open water and away from rocks and lobster pots, we sailed best to windward with sails set tight for a close reach course. We reached speeds of 8 / 9 kts and LA powered through the waves. Our final destination is determined now by the tide and winds – Cawsands, Salcombe, Dartmouth, Lyme Regis or even Portland?
Through the shipping lanes again and Zeus navigational system provided the confidence to sail straight through with always 0.5NM to spare. Trawlers from Brixham added to the mix and we needed to confirm they were not working in pairs with nets between them. Phew.
Dolphins appeared that were en route to the fishing grounds. In the distance, a pod of 6 adults were seen swimming in unison as they broke out of the water in huge dives together. (Video to follow)
Editor’s note : Dolphins are camera shy. They move so quickly and appear from different places each time. And the yacht is bouncing about. Good pictures are near impossible (except for their tails!)
16:30 Winds had started to change and the strength fell and veered. We were being pushed eastwards. Destination Portland?
Then slowly the grey clouds moved away and clear skies again brought strong winds from the west. We adjusted our course and after checking tide heights, we headed straight towards Salcombe and shelter.
18:00 Salcombe entrance – crossing the bar
Famous because of the poem, the bar is a shallow spit of land over the entrance with only 1.2 metre above Chart Datum. We needed the tide to cross safely and this was confirmed. We followed a straight course guided by 2 leading marks on the shoreline. Phew.
We were greeted immediately on arrival by the harbour master and we were soon attached to a mooring buoy. Fees paid, we settled down to a peaceful night in a very picturesque spot. Saturday nightlife could be heard in the distance.
Until tomorrow “good night” zzzzz
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