Askari Sailing: Falmouth to Dartmouth inc Andrew's Birthday fun

We had two nights relaxing up the River Fal. One day we took the dinghy up to Truro the 'retail centre' of Cornwall - we got lucky as Andrew calculated the tide based on Falmouth but actually Truro has a different datum, so just as well the retail didn't keep us hooked any longer as we only just made it out! Truro was actually a bit sad, missing out on the tourist pound like most of the other places we have been in the South West. We did manage to find a climbing harness though which we have been trying to buy for the last month - much to Carolyn's amusement Andrew had to test it in the shop!

At Anchor on the River Fal

Dinghy into Truro

Hanging out in Truro

King Harry Ferry - QueensBirthday Celebrations

We left the River Fal early on Saturday morning and interrupted the sail past that was being organised alongside the King Harry Ferry - brass band and lots of flags and dignitaries all up at 6.30am - very patriotic. We left the estuary in the fog and motored for a couple of hours before the wind picked up a bit and we managed a sail. We put the spinnaker up again for an hour or so before the wind died. We were met by a huge pod of dolphins near the Eddystone Lighthouse - so a few treats on an otherwise grey and boring trip towards Dartmouth.

Brightening up a grey day!

The sun had come out by the time we arrived in Dartmouth and it was just beautiful. We were pretty excited as we approached the entrance which has a castle on either side. Inside the harbour the Queen's birthday celebrations were in full swing - flags galore!

Castle at entrance to Dartmouth

Dartmouth entrance

Queen's Birthday celebrations on the River Dart

Next day we were invited for another Pacific Crossing reunion at Nick and Olga's in Stoke Gabriel (just up the river) to celebrate Andrew's birthday including surprise guests Matt & Togs, who live in New Zealand now but are in the UK for summer. The kids were crabbing on the wharf, so we had some fun with a crab race before heading to Nick & Olga's for a few drinks and lots of gorgeous home cooked food - including a birthday tiramisu for Andrew, serenaded by Nick on the ukulele