Days 18 to 21, Plymouth and Salcombe

 

Salcombe East and West banks.

Dear Readers, I am back! We have spent four days exploring Plymouth amidst very changeable weather. Our new crew member Celia joined us on Saturday in pouring rain and near gale force winds! A few days later the weather calmed down and we were able to enjoy the sunshine on the marina terrace, very civilised!

Josh and Celia enjoying the sun on the marina's terrace
We had more time exploring Plymouth together and I managed a swim in the harbour which was exhilarating, especially as I managed to swim out to one of the rafts. We spent a very pleasant Sunday afternoon at the Plymouth Gin Distillery, and enjoyed the tastings and the gin and tonic in the bar later, which is part of the old refectory and is purportedly the oldest building in Plymouth. For gin lovers amongst my readership, I can recommend Plymouth gin, with it's very botanical flavour. Try the Navy Strength at over 50%, done to this strength so that if it spilt on the gunpowder it would still ignite, as the water content is lower.

Plymouth G&T tasting

Our friendly harbour man.
The weather finally calmed down and the sun came out and so today, Tuesday 21st June, which happens to be the longest day and Celia's birthday, we took off for Salcombe, a 22 mile trip which will take us about 4 hours. The cheerful harbour man saw us off; he had also welcomed us when we first arrived in Sutton Harbour. He was very proud of his handle bar moustache!

 It was a calm sea with very little wind for the first couple of hours, but later the wind blew up and the sea became a bit choppy, but still a pleasant trip into Salcombe. 

Salcombe is a sea inlet as there is no river that runs into it. Care needs to be taken on entering because there is a sand bar at the entrance, which is said to have inspired Tennyson's famous poem "Crossing the Bar".  According to the Guardian it is the place with the most second homes in the country! Very nice houses front the water and an imposing yacht club, which we will no doubt visit over the next few days. Obviously a lot of money here!


Celia has friends here who are also on a boat, sailing from the Hamble to Helston River and back, so going in the opposite direction to us, but they happen to be in Salcombe tonight on their boat. So we are hailing a water taxi and heading to a local pub to meet up for what will, I am sure, be a very pleasant evening. 

Lunch time birthday glass of champagne 

You can see Lunar Sea at her mooring bouy on the Salcombe Yacht Club webcam, I might give you a wave!

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