When we arrived in the Yealm River on Friday, there were already 2x Starlight 36s and a Sadler 35 moored to the pontoon. There were plenty of folk to take our lines. Thank you, Suzie and Sally.
It was long before we were invited on to yachts for a drink because they wanted to know about Elektra’s fire. By now, the story had been all across the SSOA Facebook group page, and they were keen to know the details. These days, l was quite happy to chat about it.
Later in the evening, the beers came out for a pontoon party, and later still after eating, we went aboard Cornish Gold for chat and more drink. It was decided, and then a good walk the following morning would be good. We returned to our own boats before too late and did our own things until we went to bed.
Next morning, l was out at 8am and made coffee. Then, l lowered the dinghy into the water and attached the outboard. I then went ashore to the co-op for shopping, and once back, it was nearly time to go on our walk. I hadn’t eaten, but really, l wasn’t bothered. We set off ashore in 3 dinghies, Vicki and Suzie didn’t come.
We headed for Kilpatrick Steps and the Carage walk around Yealm Head. We fiddled around, tying on the dinghies and attaching the line to the steps railing. By which time, David had a head start, but David had gone ahead because he knew he would struggle walking up hill, with his lung problems. It wasn’t long before we had caught David up, and it was obvious that he was struggling, even if he was determined to do it. My ex farther in law only had one lung, and l leart then that l needed to walk at his pace and not rush on ahead. So l walked most of the way with David. It wasn’t a race.
It was a lovely walk which I had done before in not very good weather, and it was nice to do it again in better weather.
A last little climb up a track away from the cliff path was tough on David, but with a rest or two, he made it, and from there was level or downhill. I stopped walking part way down the path and looked at the weather on my phone app. Vodafone wasn’t a great signal in the Yealm River, l had just changed my provider from EE. Vicki had EE and full service, but Vodafone had no signal at all. I thought great. Here l am away from home with a Cruising Association Rally to finalise in Fowey in just 2 weeks time, and l had no signal!
We went to the Swan Inn for a drink and some food, a bit more chat. I thought l should look to see how far the water was from the Voss(a concrete path across the creek bottom) when l looked there was about 4ins before it would be covered. Which l reported back, now or walk around! It didn’t take David long to get up and start heading for the door. We all made it across it time just!
Then there was just a walk along a level road back to the dinghies
Once l got back, we needed to get some washing up done, Vicki was wondering where we were, and l said had told her it was 1.5hr walk but l think we might have taken twice as long and then stopped for a drink/food. It wasn’t long before more drink was on offer, and after that, it was off to The Yealm Sailing Club for an evening meal. After a lovely meal, we were invited on Cornish Gold for more drinks, but Vicki and I decided to retire to Elektra for a rest.
The next morning, after a good night’s sleep, the others were all going to leave. The forecast wasn’t good. There had been a southeast blow yesterday. The forecast for Sunday was southeast force 4-5 going south 5-7 and then southwest 4-5. The Yealm River entrance is open to southwestly winds, and the pilot book suggests not attempting entry in such conditions. In the end, they all decided to wait until the end of the day. So after the stronger winds had passed, they all made their getaway.
The harbour master came again for more dues, and l asked for a swing mooring, and after a radio call to the office, he said we could use A114 down by the other pontoon. So we also left the pontoon and picked up a swing mooring and what a difference that made to my mobile signal,at last I could use my new phone again. I spent the rest of the afternoon updating everything online. We knew before we set off from Gillan that we would get stuck in the Yealm for a week, but both Vicki and I love the Yealm River, so it’s no hardship.
Love Sailing 