Page 21 - Yachter Autumn 2020

We made our way into the River Dart passing the castle on our left in the late afternoon sunshine. Once we turned
the corner into the harbour it was very sheltered, and we found an empty spot on Deep Water Mooring three just below the upper chain ferry.We were most relieved to tie up after 28 hours of non-stop sailing! The water taxi man could not quite believe us when he took us ashore for dinner, that we had come non-stop from Yarmouth. I even heard him telling the man that he picked
up to take out to his boat, after we have disembarked.
Finally, we started to enjoy ourselves.The next day we lunched at a quaint old pub called ‘The Cherub’ recommended by the water taxi man from the evening before. Later we even enjoyed dinner on deck in the sunshine.Very fitting as it was Mid-summer’s Day.We decided that evening to walk to Coleton Fishacre, a National Trust Property, the following day, as the forecast was for good weather.
Coleton Fishacre is located on the Southwest Coast Path half-way between Dartmouth and Brixham. It is the former summer family home of the D’Oyly Carte family, of hotel and opera fame.The house was built in the 1920s and its location at
the top of a valley with a view over to the Dartmouth Mewstone was allegedly chosen by Rupert D’Oyly Carte and Lady Dorothy from their sailing boat, as they were sailing along that part of the coast.
We spent several hours wandering through the well-laid out gardens with
their vast range of plants including cacti
and palms, and taking in the views over the Mewstone and out to sea. Inside the house itself, the rooms are large and airy with views out over the gardens and valley below. We even treated ourselves to a cream tea at the café before heading back along the coast to Dartmouth.
On the Monday after our aborted attempt to leave Dartmouth, aVolvo engineer from theVolvo Penta Dealership at Darthaven
Marina is sent out to La Ina to fix her engine. He soon deduces that there are multiple air leaks in the fuel system, so he needs to bleed it. Once this has been done all seems to be working fine. Fingers crossed that he has finally sorted the problem,
and we will not have further issues going forward.
Of course, we are now keen to get on our way as we need to get back to Southampton by the following Sunday.The next day we are up and away promptly at 0500.The day
CRUISING REPORTS 21