A correct forecast

For the first time in a long time the wind forecast for the Teign Estuary was correct yesterday. The Storm Abigail moderated down to a force four or five and the turn out was half the number of boats usual for a Saturday afternoon.
Lying in fourth until this Saturdays autumn series, two firsts put me up to second place behind Andy who stays in the lead.
An exhilerating two races back to back led to some capsizes and planing across the estuary from Coombe Cellars Pub to Red Rock, beside the railway. Tide against wind raised a short sharp chop which added speed. Planing was also possible for most of the downwind leg to the Railway buoy. Both races were shortened to two rounds each, much to my relief, being in a somewhat exhausted state.  Jibing was a manouvre not safe to undertake. Staying upright was the main goal and simply finishing a bonus.

The previous Saturday my centreboard snagged somebodies fishing line off the Coombe Cellars Pub and required a doubling back jibe very close to the high wall. Though the line detached and ran free my place in the race fell back from 4th to 8th. Of twenty races just eleven are to count in the series, so that one will be a discard.

Towards Red Rock in lighter conditions

At sea off Felpham in a stiff breeze -  Showing the sort of conditions enjoyed yesterday.

Twenty four hours later and the estuary is still the focus for a weekend fishing competition with both banks festooned with the rods and tripods and wading optimistic fishers for the prized flounder that come up from the sea at this time of year.

Speaking to one Welshman down here for the weekend - Not a single bite in 48 hours had he.

One competitor struck lucky with a flounder which will feature in a magazine no doubt.

Coombe Cellars for Clubhouse Barbecue

The Yacht Club beside the Teign Estuary on Sunday has a barbacue laid on for the competitors and club members to enjoy after this mornings' open meeting race series. Three races back to back. I regrettably opted out, due to a back strain from the day before.
So much to see and do on this beautiful September day.

The Committee boat launch

First Solo to launch

Paul eyes up the Estuary looking for the sea beeze

A few decide against troubling to go out

A quiet hour passed waiting for the wind to fill in

An Atlantic steam train special thunders past Bishopsteignton and the vineyard on the hill

The Race is On

In the belief my Solo dinghy was overweight I asked the official measurer to properly weigh the hull in the hope that I would be able to remove a 2 Kilo lead weight corrector attached since new.
But surprise, surprise the hull is not overweight.  The only prospect of losing this handicap is to diet and so far 4 lbs has come off my spare tyre. No bread, no sugar, no confectionary, no comfort snacking.

In this light dinghy, on a small estuary, weight is often a major handicap and much of the time, race positions are determined by the weight of the nut on the tiller.
So far this spring series I find myself in second place after an exciting weekend. Pipped on the finish line on Sunday and quite exhausted after two races, back to back, I needed all the help to haul the dinghy up the slipway afterwards.
Force four, gusting five, from the east south east had stretched us all .

Dartmoor at a distance / Fishing at Coombe Cellars

Snow dusting Dartmoor

Beside the Teign Estuary

From the Teign Estuary, Dartmoor is seen with a light dusting of snow today, but the roads are all salted and the Morgan just washed and polished. So rather than explore the moors, I spent an hour or so at the Yacht Club.  Wednesdays happens to be a social interlude for those of us with spare time on our hands to natter about not very much.

A group of fishing companions have gathered, each with twin sets of rods and foul weather gear.
There are reputed to be flounder about here, though only rarely do we see any being caught. I have stepped on one and liken it to stepping on a cold, slippery, hot water bottle.

Now, fishing is a serious business and I have to say I have enjoyed many a session in a small boat offshore, to bring back a bucket full for the freezer.