Klingons on the Starboard Bow

Sunday brought sunshine and warmth and a rare lie-in. Our young passengers needed to catch train back to London that evening, which enabled us to 'mess about' on the boat all that day. Enjoyed sailing around in Portland Bay heading gradually eastwards along the spectacular Jurassic Coast towards Lulworth Cove, a beautiful spot. Unfortunately no time to go in so instead tried fishing for mackerel on way back but without success - technique needs refining I think.

Portland Bill Lighthouse

Monday 7th May: having studied all the tidal stream diagrams and checked tide times several times over, read and re-read the very scary passages in the relevant pilot books, we decided to take courage in both hands and take the inside passage around Portland Bill. This would be the first real test of our own seamanship on this voyage and of Follyfin's seaworthiness. There is much history associated with Portland Bill not least of which is that most of the stone used in many of London's historic buildings is of course Portland stone. We passed so close that we could easily have spoken to the people on the land.

By now you are probably wondering why the title of this post is relevant ... It relates to the numerous lobster pots that lurk close inshore all round The Bill and indeed near to the coast going westwards from this point. Get one of those wound around your prop and you would certainly know about it, and be in alot of trouble! So we have nicknamed them 'Klingons' of which we were reminded in a song with a very catchy tune, superbly performed by local school children in our village pantomime earlier this year. And so the cry goes up whenever one is sighted "Klingons on the starboard bow!"
Emerging the other side of PB produced a great sense of achievement (as well as relief!). Settling down to the long sail west across Lyme Bay, we were able to relax in the sunshine and with a fair wind made good progress. This is the life! Around 7.15, dropped anchor (first attempt with F on the helm) in quiet little Fishcombe Cove just west of Brixham Harbour, exhausted but happy.

Follyfin in Fishcombe Cove

Tuesday 8th provided a favourable weather forecast so decided to press on to Plymouth, around Start Point and along the beautiful Dorset and Devon coast. Many lovely sandy beaches and quiet coves were spotted, including Hope Cove where I remember spending one of my earliest family holidays as a child. Seeing these places from the sea is a revelation, so much more to see than from the land. Now Follyfin is berthed safely in Plymouth Yacht Haven, where we will have to leave her for a few days to travel North for young James Poole's wedding in the Lake District. So there will now be a short intermission from posts to this blog, much to your relief I am sure! Voyage resumes in earnest next Tuesday 15th. Ciao for now!

Distant view of Devon Coast