Dartmouth to Plymouth

On Wednesday morning at 09.00 hours we left the Dart river in glorious sunshine and headed out into the estuary and Start Bay. The tide and North Easterly wind swept us round Start Point and West towards Plymouth harbour. With the wind just in the right place we managed to sail right up to the east side of Drake island, then we motored gently to Barn Pool bay and dropped anchor at 14.00 hours. After contacting the Mayflower marina we were allocated berth E16 which was parallel to the pontoon, so we raised the anchor are serenely motored into place.

Blasting along at about 10 knots..

Clear but cold sunset from our berth in Mayflower marina

Mayflower is the home of Princess Yachts (fuel burners aka motor boats)

Famous Plymouth Hoe

This is for Scott of Antarctica.

View from the headland above Mayflower marina

Cruising West

We left Hamble Point marina on the 12th March on a blustery day and anchored in Studland bay just outside Poole harbour. Here we stayed two nights before taking refuge from the cold fierce wind in Poole harbour on a mooring in Witch channel for the night of the 14th March. On the 15th we caught the tide for the long journey West to Dartmouth. The weather forecast had strong wind warnings although the met office showed moderate 20knot winds. Anyway the cruise was successful and we arrived in Dartmouth and spent two lovely days moored on the deep water visitors pontoon.

IN THE WATER

So we are now in the water again, ready for a full year of cruising.
The launch happened on the 7th as scheduled. We finished the last bits of anti foul painting while in the sling (overnight 6th March).
The engine started first thing with a little bit of smoke. This is normal after a long period of inactivity and an oil change. Our son Miles assisted fending off as we left the very tight launch bay and parked her on X pontoon in Hamble Point marina.