What I did on my hols

[jamesjermain]

Well, I did warn you about the weather from 4 August onwards.

Out trip west took place into the teeth of a SW Force 6 which kindly decreased so that we had to motor from Start Point to Plymouth. Stayed resolutely in the west varying from 4 to 7 for the next five days while we abandoned plans to head out for the Scilly Isles and instead moored up the river successively in the Yealm, at Salcombe and Dittisham.

Finally we enjoyed a jar or two with friends at the Royal Torbay in Torquay before heading home on Tuesday when the wind turned to - yes, you've guessed it - due east. In addition we had thick fog off Portland and St Albans.

Hey Ho!

One good thing came out of it. We were in Plymouth for the two days of the National Fireworks Championships - spectacular!

JJ

 

[Guest]

Isn\'t the Scillies the most unreached destination?

Sounds like a good trip, though. We finally made the Scillies two years ago after 5 successive holiday years with the type of conditions you describe.

Chris Enstone, Rival Spirit

 

[tonyleigh]

Re: Isn\'t the Scillies the most unreached destination?

Unpleasantly crowded in St Mary's and the Tresco anchorage but delightfully quiet where those with the appropriate boats (bilge keelers!!!!!) go - Green Bay, Tean etc. Bit of a slog down but I got there just in time for the "summer" we had late July and it was as magnificent as ever. Incidentally - new feature was the opportunity to clear my email as each island now has a "learning centre" with internet access. I have only been thwarted once in the last four attempts - guess it's something to do with allowing adequate time - not trying to get there and back in a week!

 

[jamesjermain]

How true!

You're quite right. Time was always tight, though if it had looked 'on' we would have spend more time on board that we did. I think we have said to ourselves, some time in January: 'This year we will go to the Scilly Isles'. I have only made it once, about 15 years ago and my wife has never got there.

JJ

 

[Laurence]

How depressing to hear that the Scillies are now crowded. It was about 15 years ago that I made it there in a Falmouth Bass Boat. She was perfect for exploring the smaller islands and I remember it as one of the most relaxing holidays I ever had.

This year we went to the Friesan Islands, looking forward to the wild desolation, the marram grass covered wind-swept sand dunes, the distant cry of a curlew in the soft light of sunset. The reality proved somewhat different.

The islands were under seige by French, Belgian and German tourists. In Terschelling there were 500 visiting yachts, many of them with dogs on board. Treading in dog muck on a marina pontoon is an altogether new way to generate anger and frustration whilst on holiday. At one point we were the middle yacht in a raft 15 boats deep. There is no fuel barge so your diesel has to be carried by can across all your neighbours and can only be bought mid morning or mid afternoon.

Sharing the boat as I do, we had the benefit of strong winds to get there (mid-July) but our boat owning partner had something of a struggle doing the uphill leg coming back.

Next year - Bordeaux. I must have a bit more sun and I quite like the idea of spending a few days doing the vineyards rather than just stocking up from the supermarket.