Back to Devon

After a couple of days in Paimpol we decided that the weather forecast for the coming week necessitated a change of plan. We'd hoped to sail west along the Brittany coast but the wind had other ideas - Tuesday looked like a perfect 15 knot westerly to sail north back to home waters while the following days predicted adverse northerlies. 

Heading back across the Channel - Steve in off-watch snooze position!

We arrived into Salcombe, just as the light was fading, after an early start (in the dark) and an excellent crossing. The anchorage up at the Salt Stone, away from all of the busy visitor moorings gave us a peaceful night after the long day at sea.

The unplanned extra time on the Devon coast meant we could head west to the River Yealm to walk some of the South West Coast Path.

Busy dinghy pontoon on the Yealm

On the coast path

After a day of almost total calm and bright sunshine, we didn't expect much from the wind on the sail back to Dartmouth but were delighted when it blew hard enough to fill the Parasailor.

The foredeck crew

Barbara and Steve headed home on the Friday; we really enjoyed their company and loved the fact that Barbara was back in the helming 'groove' by the end of the trip. We stayed on board for a couple of extra days, so were able to attend the Britannia Royal Naval College open day on the Saturday - an excellent event.

Band of the Royal Marines

Di with the Merlin helicopter

On the Bridge Simulator, helming a destroyer

The images on the 'window' screens made us feel that the bridge was rolling - apparently some people get 'Simsick' 

It was a great end to a lovely cruise. Thanks go to Barbara and Steve for their company.