Sailing October 18  -19th Plymouth – report by Becky Goddard

Bavaria 36 ‘Sea Shanty  ’ from Plymouth Yacht Charter (QAB)

Skipper: Jeff Woolmer  . Crew: Bob Buchanan  , Becky Goddard  , Nigel Alltimes  , Mick Hewitt  and Steve Sawkins 

We were able to have the boat from 1600 so the early arrivals loaded their bags and provisions onto the boat as the handover was to be’ virtual’ – David from PYC had injured his back and asked for a phone call with the skipper to do it. This procedure took 58 minutes by which time we were all nearly collapsed with suppressed laughter – David absolutely covered everything in minute detail!

As Steve was going to be late we decided to eat in Chandlers, the marina restaurant and those of us who ordered the fish and chips had the biggest fillets of cod ever seen on a plate! David helped out those of us who couldn’t manage the portions!

As our destination was to be Salcombe and we couldn’t enter the river until late afternoon we agreed to have a late start with the prospect of watching England in the Rugby World Cup early on the Saturday morning. This was being shown in the onshore facilities although those interested went to the Navy Inn.

Nigel did all the navigation (with only a few bits of information from the ‘white mans magic’ belonging to Bob) for the outward trip leaving at midday after a late breakfast and the sun shone with a light wind F3/4 bringing us in to Salcombe safely by 1700. Jeff had spoken to the Harbourmaster on the phone earlier in the week and was told we could moor on the Town pontoon (walk ashore). That night we ate at the Kings Arms in their outside covered area , then walked across to the Victoria for post prandial drinks and chat – although the pub was warmer than the Kings Arms Nigel decided to chivvy up the fire and managed to get it into life to a round of cheers from the other patrons!

The next morning we left Salcombe about 1000 with the church bells ringing and the sun shining again! The wind was from the North about F4 -F6 in the gusts so we had a fast passage back to Plymouth with navigation from Mick – one reef in the sails. As we entered Plymouth Sound we started tacking steadily towards Drake Island and dropped the sails just outside QAB. We remembered to refuel at Plymouth Yacht Haven and reached our home berth about 1645.

We enjoyed a late lunch, unloaded and cleared the boat.

Steve enjoyed various naps over the weekend but we realised that any mention of food woke him very quickly – it was lucky we had lots of pork pies, lemon drizzle cake, chocolate and other munchies. There was very little left in the fridge or lockers after this trip!

Many thanks to Jeff for skippering a most enjoyable weekend – We now know that Steve definitely doesn’t have milk in his coffee!