Bikes or boat to Salcombe?

[ZuidWester]

We're coming over to Devon for a short trip from across the channel. Should I bring the inflatable (Quicksilver 330 & 5hp Mariner), or the mountain bikes?
Tricky as my girlfriend wants to bring the bikes. My old German Shepherd dog would certainly prefer barking at everything from the bow of the dinghy rather than running up hill and down dale. What to do? Both are not an option due to space/weight limitations. I'm not going to leave my girlfriend (or me for that matter) at home either.

 

[chas]

Salcombe - boat unless you want to rely on the water taxi

 

[jhr]

Bring the inflatable.

Every road out of Salcombe takes you up a long, steep hill and, in order to get anywhere else, you will have to go up and down several more.

Use the dinghy to

(1) go up to Kingsbridge on the tide and do your shopping at the supermarket (Somerfield) which is about 5 minutes' walk from the waterfront. Then stroll - uphill - along the High Street to browse in the shops if you are pining for exercise.

(2) go down the Estuary to South Sands Bay. Disembark, leaving the dinghy on the beach, turn left on the Road and walk - uphill again - to Overbeck's which is a beautiful house, once owned by an eccentric industrialist and inventor. Admire the wonderful views over the Estuary and eat a cream tea in the tea rooms to invigorate yourself for the walk back down hill.

(3) cross over the estuary to East Portlemouth and lie on the beach all day.

A fabulous place: don't wear yourself out trying to cycle round there, the hills will defeat you unless you are very fit. Enjoy!

 

[tcm]

agreed. I spoke with an estate agent who said that lots of houses in datrmouth get bought by retired people ...and sold again shortly afterwards as they realise how blimmin steep the hills are to walk in and out of town.

 

[AliM]

Are you bringing the dog from Belgium?

I think the correct advice is that he should be the one that stays at home. The quarantine laws are still pretty draconian - you risk him being impounded for 6 months, or even destroyed.

 

[ZuidWester]

Dog okay

Moses has a passport for pets, is innoculated against rabies, has been de-wormed, de-flied and de-ticked.
He's also coming over via SeaFrance through Dover. Just a bit miffed about having to pay 45 Euros each way for him.
It's his first visit to the UK aswell. Why not bring the pooch if you can?

 

[ZuidWester]

Thanks for the tips!

I am very grateful for this. Good solid arguments for bringing said dinghy. Hope girlfriend understands /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Only dilemma now is whether to bring the Yamaha 9.9 instead of the Mariner 5 long shaft...

 

[AIDY]

Re: Dog okay

is he a good sailor or does he get sea sick. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Malcb]

Re: Dog okay

You are probably aware, but the tick and parasite treatment must be done between 24 and 48 hours prior to the crossing time.

 

[jhr]

Re: Thanks for the tips!

[ QUOTE ]
Hope girlfriend understands

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, an incurable optimist..........

5HP Mariner is probably enough - there's a (10 knot?) speed limit throughout the estuary so the bigger engine would probably be wasted!

 

[jerryat]

Bring plenty of money as well as the bikes or inflatable (it has to be the inflatable by the way) 'cos Salcombe charges are still, friends tell me, stupidly high for next to nothing! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

We haven't gone there for years, after being pestered for money while we were STILL anchoring after a rough Channel crossing many year's ago. Told the bloke we'd never go back and haven't. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

As always though, everyone to their own. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Joe_Cole]

Sadly, that's right. Everything is ridiculously expensive in Salcombe! But it's nice enough for two or three days.

 

[whisper]

Re: Thanks for the tips!

The 5hp will be fine unless you want to have fun outside the harbour, otherwise the speed limit is 8 kts.

Another good trip by dinghy is up to Southpool where there is a dinghy pontoon and a nice little village pub.

Pretty well everything is cheaper in Kingsbridge compared to Salcombe, though Salcombe is a more beautiful place.

Cycling in Devon can be very boring as most of the roads have high banks on both sides and you can't see over them.

Hope you have a lovely time. If you see a Botnia Targa 25 about, then give us a shout.

 

[AliM]

Re: Dog okay

Good. I thought I'd better warn you in case you were thinking of bringing the dog over on your own boat. You've obviously read all the rules. Have a super trip. It's a lovely area.

 

[bendyone]

Good for you, we try to miss Salcombe whenever possible.