Rob Hewett left this morning and during the night the fairies had been on board again. Soundings on the gin and whiskey bottles proved they had been at it. Thanks Rob for the help over the past couple of days.
A view of Dartmouth from Kingswear. With no other crew member, I am now single-handed and with an Atlantic depression crossing the UK decide to stay for the weekend.
With a visit to the marina chandlers, I purchased items required to carry out some maintenance on the boat. First the washing had to be done in the excellent laundry facilities and a pasty and beans meal prepared on the boat.
In the evening took the ferry to Dartmouth for a walk around the town in the rain and a visit to the not so good Seven Stars pub. Back on the ferry to Kingswear and the Ship Inn was more to my liking which ended off a busy day.
Dartmouth - Saturday 16th July 2011 - Day 71
A view of the marina with Dartmouth Royal Naval Britannia College dominating the town up on the right hand side. Carried out a service on the engine, namely lub.oil and filter changed and also changed fuel filter. Removed the speed log paddlewheel for cleaning as over the past couple days it had been giving inaccurate readings. Tried the platform car ferry this time to Dartmouth and a visit to the poor Windjammer pub, while the Dartmouth Arms was more lively with a dozen chaps dressed up as smurfs with the blue paint job, I hope it was for charity.Back to Kingswear to the Royal Dart yacht club where everyone seem to be leaving on my arrival, so up to the Ship Inn for a night cap and being good, I was back on board for 22.00. Over the past couple of months, I have been missing out on what I said I would do when I was sailing, which is to carry on practising how to play the banjo. Tonight, I again began playing and thoroughly enjoyed the session.
Dartmouth - Sunday 17th July 2011 - Day 72
A visit to the marina office and weather forecast, discussed the possibility of now staying until Tuesday which would not be a problem, so today is declared to be a tourist day.
Running past the marina is the preserved steam railway which runs a service to Paignton. I boarded the 11.15 after having a good look around the engine. The old rolling stock is clean and enjoyable. The train runs along River Dart over viaducts and through a long tunnel and takes you to the first stop at Churston which is the main depot for the locos, then it is onto Goodrington with its fine views over the Tor Bay with Torquay to the east and Brixham to the south. After half an hour we arrived at our destination. Paignton, caters for and was packed with holiday makers, they have there amusement arcades, souvenir shops and small market stalls. I found Weatherspoons for lunch and watched a bit of telly, the Open golf championship. After a walk around the town and seeing what was on offer, I was on the 14.15 train out of there. 
On the way back, I noticed a very interesting steam engine in the sidings at Churston. It was 'Tornado' built recently in Darlington in the north east of England. At Kingswear there was another set of old carriages, enquires to the station master informed this was the Torbay Express from Bristol and Tornado was going to be pulling the train and leaving at 16.45. Being a bit of a steam engine nut this was an experience not to be missed and this was the highlight of my tourist day. During the evening and into the night, the wind is forever increasing in strength.
Dartmouth - Monday 18th July 2011 - Day 73
Kingwear, where the marina is situated as seen from the Dartmouth side. Visited the tourist centre but unable to go on a visit to the Naval College, so went to Dartmouth Castle which is a 30 minute walk along the river. The castle is more of a defense fort at the entrance to the harbour where there are fine examples of canon which were to be used against any invading French ships. Next to the castle is St. Petrox Church which is also steeped in history. A walk into town and a visit to the Royal Castle Hotel where I had a very good afternoon dinner of mussels and scampi. On returning to the marina enquires at the office informed the wind is forcast to ease and I should be able to leave tomorrow.
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