The stars of the Yealm

Sat out on deck after a fab day, das captain is in bed as is Eleanor. Piers aka captain barbossa is telling a night time story to George......full pirates of the carribean style... I can hear them giggling.

As for me.....just watching the stars...they r just amazing tonight and shining so brightly..it doesn't get better than this x



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Location:River Yealm

Stunning Day

What a fabulous day we have had and it's not over yet. Set off from Fowey this morning in a force 5/6,chilly across the water and the main reefed. Not long and the water flattened out, sun came out and wind dropped to a favourable 3/4. It was stunning, kids donned their swim suits and requested a bow seat, so up we went. Legs dangling and singing our call to the dolphins we had a blast at the front of das bot. Not a dolphin in sight, to be fair I think we scared them with our screeching, but the water was twinkling so brightly we didn't have a care in the world.

Time flew by, lunch aboard assisted by by my niece, the Yealm came upon us, both kids took the helm without causing a mutiny and steered us in. The bluebells are out now so the entrance looks truly stunning. We r moored up on the visitors pontoon, where the kids have spent the afternoon crabbing for England. A total of sixteen caught.....good old m and s bacon. Bring it on tomorrow they are saying the fishing chart competition is well and truly on!

We are now sat at the Dolphin, lovely walk along the path to Newton Ferrers playing cards, still in glorious sunshine. Looking forward to supper and the dingy ride back @ sunset....and looking forward to spending the day at the beach tomorrow. Bliss.....

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Location:River Yealm

Early Mornings

I love waking up on das bot! There is something always quite magical about it no matter where u r. Today is no exception.....it's so quiet, the sunrise was beautiful and I have been watching the fog lift across the sound. A few odd boats have gone by sending a gentle swell across the Marina and over the last hr the world around me is beginning to stir.

Das captain is still snoozing and I am about to go and get ship shaped and ready to go as in the next few hrs the peace and tranquility will be shattered as our crew for the weekend arrive, my gorgeous niece aka Eleanor, George and Piers. We shall have a swooper time.

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Location:Mayflower Marina

Testing out the cruising shute

What a fab sail yesterday, in glorious weather, wind a tad chilly but the sky was blue and boats galore out on the water.

Not long now until our grand voyage and das captain is in full planning mode. Came back from the showers yesterday and the list (one of many) was being added to and checked making sure we have all the right boat spares for any eventuality. My father in law was sent up the mast last weekend to fit a new wind vane which was calibrated yesterday by turning two full boat circles and a simple press of the button as we left the Marina yesterday. With das captain happy we wendered our way out into the sound to test out our cruising shute.

We bought it last year, especially designed by my niece and is fondly called the pucas pidley cruising shute. We only used it once last season and as it will be in use a fair amount in our French adventures, a good practice session was required.

Loads of boats out in the sound yesterday racing, so beyond the breakwater we headed to avoid any mishaps. Hms Torbay ( submarine) was anchored on d buoy awaiting a lift back in later in the day, we gave her any extra wide berth.

We had a good sail, six and half knots with the genoa out, das captain set the ropes ready for the cruising shute, whilst I anchored myself on the bow, ready to release the snuffer. It's a big sail, and I was chuckling away to myself that I might end up the mast as the sail is released. I wasn't.......and out she went with no real problems which was great given we hadn't used her for some time.

There is nothing better than seeing boats in the distance with their colourful spinnakers or cruising shutes out. Red Snapper looked majestic, we weren't so graceful on a tack later with tangled ropes, but practice makes perfect and after a great swail we headed towards Jenny Cliff to drop the pick for a spot of lunch. Perfect.

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Location:Plymouth Sound

Fogbound

Well at long last the sun has come out and the fog has gone! Can't complain as we had a cracking first wk of weather. The fog really came in with a vengeance and just heavy drizzle, so we headed off via rd to Falmouth, found a fab b and b and had a whale of a time. I love Falmouth and can't wait to get back down there by das bot.

So we ate, drank and shopped, the sun did come out there for the afternoon as we watched the world go by at the Chain Locker, it's the most fab pub and inside is a treasure trove of mariner memorabilia of days gone by.

Came back to Plymouth yesterday to more........fog, made for great listening on the VHF radio for the Thursday war, even HMS Dauntless had lost their sense of humour. Just missed HMS Campbeltown come in under her decommissioning pendant for the last time, she won't be the last over the next few wks. Got a last peek of her stern as she turned into Devonport and the dockyard for the last time her official ceremony next wk.

As for today we headed to Salcombe.....deserted....a first, wait for a few wks and the place will be packed and the waters humming with an assortment of boats and the usual Salcombe madness.

So the sky is blue.....here,s hoping for a last swail this weekend before back to work on Monday.....great hols though as it's only march!

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Location:Mayflower Marina Plymouth

Small world

Woke up to pea soup in the Marina this morning but after a few hrs the sun was out and shining again. Decided to stay put today and after das captain had fixed the bow light we set out for a few food supplies.

Lunch was had at jolly jacks on the Marina where the sun continued to shine and a few hrs of people watching, had us in stitches as we watched princess yachts entertain 20 Chinese people for lunch prior to trying out their new purchase. Reminded me of langkawi and a day out with Bah my great Malaysian friend who had some Chinese friends of his over and we spent the day with them.

Das captain went off to observe them from our berth, leave port on their post lunch cruise whilst I sat and finished my very nice glass of vino.

I was sat next to a lady who lives here with her lovely westie dog called Tilly. " u work in exeter don't you" as she asked me if I knew someone called Edith? Funny old world is boating, happened I did, I employed her ten years ago and she is her sister......we have chatted in the sunshine for hrs.

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Location:Mayflower Marina

Baldrick and Ricardo.....our barmy spring day in the Yealm

Woke up @ sparrow fart of dawn this am. Not helped by the Yealm woodpecker on his mating call. Bring back china clay ships of Fowey ...I was at my wits end and the novelty had worn off by 0600!

A murky day begun but the good old Yealm water was clear as a bell, slowly the river came to life as did das captain and we sat and watched the world go by, well he did on deck twas still a tad cold for me, I was handed Atlantic France to read and peruse for our grand trip in June.

We decided to stay another night and my plan for the day was to dinghy across to the Noss Mayo side and walk around to the Ship Inn. Bar das captain's 40th when we came here by road, whenever we come here we always walk the Newton Ferrers side. Today in honour of Baldrick and Ricardo we boated across and walked to the Ship.

The place was packed both inside and out, everyone enjoying the spring sunshine. Lunch enjoyed as always and I reminisced like yesterday of days gone by of my good mate who is now the other side of pond in Perth. Heinz Big Soup, TImepiece, Granaria girls on tour, Reading Room cottage, Dunstone and loads more happy times. It's amazing that with a touch of technology and a few photos across the wire that you can connect in an instance these days.

After wandering across the voss steps to the Swan Inn before the tide came back in for a final beer and coffee making the most of the weather and the day as the weather is closing in over the next few days, we walked back and then took the tender back up the river in the sunset to where it meets the sea.

After our glorious week we don't want this to end. Now back on das bot just watching the world go by and waiting for das woodpecker to start all over again. What a lovely day.




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Location:River Yealm