Anyone seen Salcombe?

21Sep13

A week of friends and family events; a location with diverse areas of lifestyle and entertainment; a week at an excellent marina with very helpful staff; a low water departure with an accompanyment of cannon fire from the local Navy celebrations.

Slipping lines after the Cremyll Ferry [which has linked Devon and Cornwall for more than 1000 years] left for its half-hourly crossing of the River Tamar we set passage for Salcombe. The approaching Autumn Equinox and a strong Spring tide decided our departure time to clear Salcombe's sand bar but the current high pressure system just brought poor visibility and a constant mizzle. The forecast wind never built and the mizzle soon turned into fog as we left the breakwater; less than 100m visibility at times. Fortunately, it was only a five-hour passage and despite seeing many targets on our power-hungry radar – some of which were fishing pot markers which could be clearly identified in the slight sea state – the surrounding traffic was easily avoided though never seen.

The GPS guided our turn into Salcombe though we still buoy hopped for extra security of our position. With a 2kt stream following us in we declined the mooring buoys, which have no pickup lines, and headed up river to the pontoon at 'The Bag'. The omnipresent Harbour Master piloted us to our berth and we were soon moored up with the kettle on for a good old cuppa.