Dartmouth and the Yealm

Day 12
Friday 14th May
After a late start we walked down into Totnes and managed to find a camera shop where I could obtain a replacement card for the Olympus. Then we strolled to the end of the High St and back to the market, where there was a fairly naff collectors' fair, but under the stage we found a really good café and enjoyed a bacon buttie and tea. Then back to the boat, taking pics en route. Totnes is an attractive place.

This was another little eatery we passed. Pepsand was high and dry, exposing her interesting bits. At low water it was instructive to note the position of large rocks littering the river bed. For some reason Pepsand had adopted a nose-down attitude. Steve read whilst I had a little sleep. After tea we waited until the boat lifted and at 6pm we left the pontoon and moved down to the town quay pontoon in Dartmouth. The berthing officer was an ex-teacher who had taught music at King's Rochester about the same time as I sang in the cathedral choir there. He knew all the usual suspects, including Nick Maddox and John Etherton. Small world!
Dinner was chilli con carne, and , replete, we took ourselves into Dartmouth and the Windjammer for a pint. Then back to the boat. I am now getting 3G internet connection reliably, which is pleasing.

Day 13 Saturday 15th May

A condition of using the very convenient pontoon in Dartmouth is that you have to leave by 08.30. So after an early breakfast we walked around the centre of town, taking pics.
We had topped up with water at Totnes, and it seemed sensible to top up with diesel here, as there is a very convenient fuel barge only a few metres from the quay. This done, we left the Dart and headed west for the Yealm. The trip was uneventful. Three fish were caught, when the sun came out it was warm enough for us to shed our coats. At 16.00 we tied up at a visitors' pontoon in the Yealm at the same time as a larger boat decided to berth down-tide and downwind. Luckily there were some handy persons taking their lines and they brought them to a rapid halt. Otherwise it would have meant taking avoiding action and going round again. Once more we have landed in a really beautiful spot. It is sheltered and warm in the sun.

Day 14
Sunday 16th May
Last night after a meal we took the inflatable across to the jetty and walked along the footpath to the Yealm Yacht Club at Newton Ferrers for a pint. Newton Creek is quite enchanting, the beer was very good, but soon we had to get back to Pepsand. The transition to boat from shore was uneventful. A Dufour 24 was rafted up outside us when we got back.
This morning it soon became apparent we wouldn't be going far. The wind has gone round to the west, bringing rain and poor visibility. Since Plymouth was only a few miles away we decided to make for a marina in the town and then at least if the weather doesn't improve we have something to do, if only shopping. My 12v phone charger has packed in, so will have to be replaced. I can still charge up whenever we are plugged in to shore power thanks to the 13a sockets on board.
Our neighbours rose at about 09.00 and after a hearty breakfast we followed them out of the river and round the Great Mewstone, upon which we noticed a sort of bothy. Perhaps a refuge hut or hermit's shack? Once round the corner we could sail all the way to the Cattewater. The lock-keeper was very helpful . Inside the marina we were given the berth D2, and had no idea where to steer, but a pleasant yoof waved us in and took our lines. We sit virtually alongside the offices. Showers, which are state-of-the-art, rubbish bins, exit to the wide world of Plymouth are all but a few steps away. Internet access works (!) after a fashion. Now we learned of the further closing of British airspace by volcanic dust. Unfortunately, Isolde is flying back from Germany today. The Stansted website said they are expecting her flight as normal, so she may be lucky.