Kingsbridge Estuary Boat Club Rally to Dartmouth 23 rd June 2023.

15 members in six boats set off from Normandy Pontoon promptly at 11:45, ably led by Master and Commander Ian Slade in White Shark, “Little Blue”, the rest being
RIBs..

A thorough journey plan prepared by Ian had been sent out in advance enabling some of us less confident coastal types to take part. We were to keep within around two hundred metres of the shore all the way there in case we had to jettison any unruly crew.

The weather was kind but the sea condition was a bit lumpy with a one metre swell running for most of the trip.

Seeing this part of the coast from the sea was a first for me, anyone else?

Familiar landmarks, Bar Lodge and Gara Rock faded into the distance as we rounded Gammon Head and First Mate Don Bell reported us in to NCI Prawle Point (Both he and Ian are watch members keeping a regular eye on the water). Across Lannacombe Bay, and around Start Point and into calmer waters.

Other sea traffic was very light, and we saw few other voyagers on the rest of the trip across Start Bay past Blackpool Sands and into the mouth of the Dart.

Surprisingly there was no twenty one gun salute to celebrate our arrival as we passed Dartmouth Castle at around 13:30 and we headed up to the visitor pontoon which being pretty full, decided us to carry on the extra mile or so up to Dittisham.

In Dittisham we found enough space for all boats, and went ashore. Some light refreshment followed while we sent the Reverend Phil out on a foraging mission. He returned successfully having negotiated the best table in the house at the Anchorstone Café with a wide view across to Greenway Quay.

Lunch enjoyed by all, we had by now decided to delay the return trip until 18:00 to take advantage of the best tide conditions around Start Point.

The return trip could have threatened some lunch retention but as far as I am aware none was wasted! We arrived back at Normandy Pontoon around 19:30 after a most successful and enjoyable trip, many thanks to Ian for the organisation and operation.

There is a proposed follow up trip, west to the Yealm on Saturday 9 th September, more news later.

Steve Arblaster.
Acting as Ballast on Little Blue.

 

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KEBC Mid Summer Cruise on Lady Mary

The following from a member of KEBC who participated in the Mid Summer evening cruise on the Kingsbridge/Salcombe ferry, the Lady Mary.

What a lovely evening we had yesterday! Huge thanks to Linda for persisting with the organisation of this outing, clearly the gods approved as the weather was gorgeous. Louise and Ray took the Lady Mary with KEBC party animals (and one totally outnumbered tourist couple) on a beautiful tour of Frogmore, South Pool, Goodshelter and Waterhead creeks.

The sun shone, the reflections were stunning, the pasties were delicious and (those of us who weren’t driving) enjoyed a cheeky bit of fizz! THANK YOU!!!

Can we do more fun things over the summer? Please!!!

 
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KEBC Club Night with Alice Henderson.

On 16th October the Club’s winter lecture programme featured a fascinating talk by Alice Henderson about her exploration of Patagonia and Antarctica.

Clearly addicted to adventurous pursuits from an early age, Alice enthralled her audience with tales from her recent adventures in the deep South, enriched by a variety of photography.

After “warming up” with a solo exploration of the mountains and glaciers of Patagonia, Alice travelled to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego and took passage for some three weeks in the tall ship “Europa” for a voyage to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Passages in and out of the ice were interspersed with treks ashore, enlivened by encounters with a rich variety of wildlife, all brought to vivid life by Alice’s photography.

The variety of questions raised at the close of her enthusiastic presentation was testament to the interest it created.

An excellent evening!

Report by John Elliot

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