Page 17 - Yachter Winter 2019

‘TS Royalist’, the Navy Cadet Training Vessel.We also catch a RNLI Lifeboat
rescue demonstration and the arrival of Dartmouth’s new class B Lifeboat all the way from Scotland.
Having had our fill of ‘The Royal Regatta’, we return by ferry to Dittisham.
It is balmy enough this evening to enjoy dinner on deck. However, we have only
just finished when the peace is broken by ribs and other boats heading downriver to Dartmouth to watch ‘The Firework Finale’ of Royal RegattaWeek.Although we cannot see the fireworks we hear them, and ‘Royal Regatta Week’ certainly finishes with a bang.
The next day our departure from Dittisham is thwarted by the engine not starting, so after a tow downriver from Darthaven Marina, we spend an unscheduled night in Dartmouth, quiet now as ‘The
Royal Regatta’ has ended.The next day,
after the engine has been fixed by theVolvo Dealership based at Darthaven Marina, we edge out of the River Dart in the afternoon sunshine.Our next stop is Brixham for
fuel and fish and chips before catching the evening flood tide eastwards to Portland Marina, where I will jump ship, as my Mum is having a knee replacement operation in Bristol, and I have promised to be there for it.
We have a cracking overnight sail to Portland.The wind is blowing a steady fifteen to twenty knots all the way across Lyme Bay. It makes a refreshing change after no wind for most of the week. After a night
in Portland, I see Nathan off on his first single-handed trip back to Southampton. The engine is playing up again, and winds are light so he motor-sails most of the way toYarmouth where he picks up a buoy.The next morning after a visit from Sea Start, as the engine refuses to start again, he motors up to Ocean Village, not daring to turn it
off until ‘La Ina’ is safely back in her berth. Although we’ve experienced issues with the engine, and are now facing a hefty repair bill, the trip away was well worth it. It is a small price to pay for the enjoyment we get from owning our own boat.
Natalie Hamilton
THE WIND IS BLOWING A STEADY FIFTEEN TO TWENTY KNOTS ALL THE WAY ACROSS LYME BAY.
CRUISING REPORTS 17