Day 11 - Channel Islands & West Country 2011

The MBM boats make Dartmouth but sadly only for one night

Tuesday 19th July

Crews awoke to a still sunny morning in the bag, a welcome change from the early morning heavy rain showers. There was the usual weather check by cruise leader Neale and by 8.30 Time Flies had slipped and was on its recognisance mission. Despite confused seas at the Salcombe entrance the conditions were good.

At 10.30 the pontoon in the bag was clear of MBM boats and everyone was on their way to Dartmouth. Even for the mixed speed fleet the 15-mile passage took just an hour.

In Dartmouth Time Flies assisted with fuelling and berthing, while at sea Blue Fin was escorting Sealine SC29 Yak Yak who had reported an overheat.

Entering the mouth of the Dart is a spectacle for everyone who visits; the two castles standing guard at the entrance, the colourful houses decorating the shoreline and the steep sloping green hills either side. The harbour is always buzzing with boats travelling here and there.

The fleet were soon assembled on deep water pontoon number 1 with the afternoon to spare. A ride on steam train from Kingswear was the first port of call for most. Teddy Bear mad Karen from Chrivana had been looking forward to visiting the teddy bear shop in Dartmouth. She has completed her very own antique bear during the cruise.

Day 11 Karen of Chrivana & Anne of Yak Yak

_{Teddy Bear mad Karen with her Dartmouth bought bear and her hand made ‘cruise bear’, Yak Yak’s Anne with cruise bear}

Neale has been liaising with the crew of Sealine F46 Dignity who suffered engine difficulty last week in Guernsey. They are are back up and running and are looking to cross channel tomorrow to Weymouth, rejoining the MBM boats later in the week.

A briefing was held on the pontoon which was followed by a pontoon party. The plan is to move onto Brixham tomorrow with boats departing from midday. Today the fleet was joined by Mont Sant, the Princess 480 that had been a delayed by technical issues at the start of the cruise. Welcome back to Matt, Nicole, Michael and Tracey.

Day 11 Crew of Mont Sant