Days 2 – 4 Torquay to Salcombe
Day 2 was a “rest day” in Torquay (also it was quite windy out there and, there were of course, boat jobs…) and we were recovering a bit from the frantic-ness of getting away! Torquay is full of once glamourous Hotels, many of which overlook the sea from great heights of its several (steep) hills. The Pavilion (probably hailing from the Victorian era) looks like it’s being renovated amongst some super gardens and Torre Abbey. This is all part of the “English Riviera” and continues in popularity to this day, although the high street was looking somewhat unkempt with many closed shop units – but I guess this is the same in most places.
One of our boat jobs was to investigate and fix the self-steering gear. After much head-scratching and looking at the myriad of wires that came out of the back of the unit and comparing these with the diagrams in the handbook, we encountered an electrician. The first thing he did was to check if the brightness on the unit was working… we have no idea how this happened, but somehow it had been set to its dimmest setting!
Day 3 started with an encounter of three seals who had decided to perch on the pontoon walkway…
A bit later the annual Bob/Nicky Scrabble challenge started in earnest – the first game ending with an incredible draw – 253 points each.
The wind hadn’t abated, but we had decided to go across the bay to Brixham. So we set off in an easterly 25knot wind (force 6) with nearing 2m waves – very lumpy and uncomfortable but welcomed getting into the harbour after 45 minutes at sea.
Brixham Sunset – a beautiful orange glow.
Brixham is well-known to us; it is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the country and was preparing for one of its Pirate Festivals this weekend. Most of the charity shops had brilliant displays of pirate attire for sale, whilst the huge replica Spanish square-rigger Galeon Andalucia docked in the harbour.
The one that didn’t get away!
The Spanish Galeon Andalucia
Man and Boy Statue – a tribute to the fishing community of Brixham.
Day 4 – after a quick visit into town for essentials (and a second look in at the fantastic haberdashers for me) we set off at 12 noon for Salcombe in brilliant sunshine and a fair breeze SW F2-4 / 6 – 17 knots, but this put the wind on our nose pretty much the whole way, so motor-sailing it was.
Start Point
Approaching Salcombe and the Kingsbridge Estuary
We arrived in Salcombe in the hope of replenishing our fuel tank… but the Fuel Barge guys had already departed (before their official closing time according to Reeds) – “they’ll be there at about 0845 tomorrow” said the harbour master cheerily. Never mind, we topped up with our spare cannisters with the hope of wind tomorrow.
Salcombe
