Page 30 - Yachter Autumn 2021

30 CRUISING REPORTS
WEST COUNTRY
WANDERINGS
After abandoning our plans for cruising the West Country in 2020 we entered 2021 determined to head west. Thankfully, the stars were aligned and for once work commitments allowed time away in June and July. So, we left Southampton in late May with the objective of getting to Falmouth (and possibly the Scillies), seeing some marine wildlife that had been elusive on previous trips, and reading the book about walking the SW coast,“The Salt Path”.
Fresh cold, westerly winds met us for the trip toYarmouth but atWeymouth the sun came out, the wind dropped, and we had perfect conditions for the inshore passage around Portland Bill and onward to Brixham.The short hop to The Dart gave our first sighting of porpoises off Berry Head. Mooring at Dittisham, or ‘Ditsum’ as is apparently the local name, gave us the opportunity for long lunches at the Anchorstone Café and our first sighting of seals swimming inquisitively around us.A couple of nights in Kingswear coincided with the arrival of the RORC Morgan Cup from Cowes which made
for a busy harbour and bustling Royal DartYacht Club. Determined to keep our lockdown fitness up, we ran out to the NCI station at Forward Point. Fantastic views of the Dart and on to Start Point but a near
death experience in terms of the hills to be ascended – note to self – fine for walking not for running!
Rounding Start Point inshore yielded more porpoise sightings and a smooth sail to Salcombe.Time to re-stock with Salcombe Gin from the wine shop (which is cheaper!) and giant Chelsea buns from the bakery (not to be missed). Braving the water for some early morning swims off the beach, exploring the river towards Kingsbridge
in glorious weather, and some spectacular sunsets made it hard to move on. However, a family 86th birthday celebration at the Ship Inn on the River Yealm beckoned, and saw us in one of our favourite places.The narrow wood lined river is glorious with perfect shelter, even if somewhat crowded nowadays.