DAY TWO - THE THREE COUNTIES! WEYMOUTH-EXMOUTH-DARTMOUTH-PLYMOUTH

Off Portland Bill video

Early morning departure from Weymouth

We had an early start this morning, as we knew we had to be around Portland Bill by 8.30am to take advantage of having wind and tide on our side to get through the race, which can be pretty unpleasant if you get it wrong!  In fact, we had a very straight forward time, and indeed a lot of fun "surfing" once around the corner of the Bill with a steady southerly blowing and the sea behind us, with both boats going extremely well and riding along the top of the waves, as opposed to relentlessly having to climb up them as we had the day before.

Entering Exmouth Marina

Charlie Fane-Trefusis had sadly left us on Thursday night, so we called in to Exmouth to pick up Si's new crew member, Nick Reed.  Conditions were so much better than Day One, we had time to enjoy the scenery, and it was a fascinating contrast as we left the sombre stone of the Portland Bill to see the red cliffs of West Bay.   We picked our way very carefully into Exmouth Marina on a low tide, having been forewarned how narrow the passage was, and had a well earned cup of coffee whilst we waited for Nick to arrive by train.

ConTTentment and her crew enjoying the easier conditions!

From Exmouth, we headed onto Dartmouth, again in very easy seas with a steady force 4 southerly.

As we approached Dartmouth, we found ourselves in quite heavy fog, which meant reduced speed and eagle eyes scanning for lobster pots!  We moored up at the pontoon off the sailing club, and enjoyed a leg stretch around Dartmouth and a delicious pub lunch, feeling rather satisfied as we sat in a cosy pub with the rain coming down in stair rods!  Good timing!  However, we needed to get on and headed off for the final push to Plymouth.

Teal leaving Dartmouth as the fog comes down

By now, the fog had really come down, and we had the surreal and rather eery experience of rounding Start Point with the fog horn sounding, but with so little visibility we couldn't even sea the lighthouse!  Our course was plotted close-in, with the dual purpose of using the land as protection from the wind, but also to enjoy this spectacular part of the coastline, sadly all of which was veiled in fog!

America's Cup challengers battle it out in Plymouth Harbour

Despite the poor visibility, the sea conditions were ideal and both boats made 22-25 knots on the home run to Plymouth.  Again, there were a few interesting moments when lobster pots appeared from nowhere and oncoming boats appeared out of the gloom without any warning.  The fog thickened and the pace necessarily slowed as we neared Plymouth Harbour, which was a hive of activity with the America's Cup practice race taking place in preparation for the Qualifier being held on Saturday.  We settled into Queen Anne's Battery Marina after refuelling (strong drink required by Anthony after paying the fuel bill!), and caught a taxi to Simon's home at Treyone where we are spending the night.  Unfortunately weather conditions appear to be worsening again in the next few days, so we are having to constantly reassess our plans for Saturday's route.

Distance travelled: 110 nautical miles
Time travelling: 6 hours 59 minutes
Average speed:  15.8 knots
Fuel consumption:  Teal 108 litres  ConTTentment 120 litres
Fuel purchase price:  Dartmouth 185p/litre  Plymouth 156p/litre