dinghy cruising: Meandering up the River Tamar Part 1

Some pictures to start with and more to follow over next week or so. This blog serves as an on line diary of our voyages together, Arwen and me.

This was our 75th outing and three hundredth hour sailing together. It was rather fun!

the face of a man who has no idea what he's getting into!

Our journey took us from Jennycliffe Bay and Drakes Island in Plymouth Sound, up the Tamar as far as the mighty viaduct at Calstock and back down again. The tides were morning high water springs around 8 - 8.45 am and afternoon high tides around similar times - perfect for going up on the incoming tide and going down on the outgoing tide. Winds were gusty on day one from east giving us a perfect beam reach up as far as the Tamar bridges. Winds were non existent on day two and so we motored gently back down river at around 3 knots, a perfect speed to chill and appreciate the landscape and wildlife.

Up past the mighty ships at Devonport Dockyard

Into another world of tidal river

the home of canoeists, kayakers and rowers

of sweeping broad meanders, valley slopes and farming land

I'd heard tales of mythical vineyards and orchards in the tamar valley

here is the proof they exist

Negotiating the river channel; one eye on the charts; one eye on the ever changing channel flows

Deep water on the outside of bends; mudflats on the inside....and watch out for half submerged trees!

Up past Haldon Quay with the small church in the UK on its edge

Having a break at Cotehele House and Quay

In the background is the old Tamar sailing barge, Shamrock.

The final approach to Calstock and its mighty viaduct for the railway line

Looking towards the Calstock Boatyard from our mooring mid channel