Brixham to Plymouth

Famous 1926 fishing smack in renovation

A reluctant farewell to Brixham, we could probably have walked the hilly streets some more, and called in at churches and museums.  Also the showers scored an unprecedented '10'.  But we must keep making westing while the weather is settled.  We had full sail set and engine off within 15 mins of leaving the pontoon, but there was no wind so 10 mins later furled the foresail and engine back on ... sigh.

Out past Start Point, so called because the sailors of old thought that when they passed it their ocean journey had really started.  Tom Cunliffe, who writes the Shell Channel Pilot that we read avidly every day, says that Start Point is where you leave the 'Channel chops' (choppy seas) behind and welcome the ocean swell from the Atlantic.

Then finally, halfway down the long leg to Plymouth, the promised NW F4 arrived, and we sailed close-hauled for hours ... managed to sail all the way in to Plymouth outer harbour.  In the process we were circled by warships (again) - there's at least 4 of them going in and out and around about.  

Also many other yachts following similar tracks to us, which is always nice although it does bring out an entirely unnecessary competitive spirit.

Navigated through Plymouth sound past Drake Island, West Hoe, and moored in the Mayflower Marina right next door to the Devonport naval base.  All the names are hugely redolent of our maritime past.

Royal William Yard, Plymouth at sunset

It was a 9 to 5 day - the tide times could not be better for a civilised start time, and passage took 8 hours exactly as planned.  We are now sitting in our cabin after sundown, listening on the VHF to the warships talking to the central control room as they anchor up for the night - we heard English, French, German and Spanish warships, 6 of them anchored in the harbour.