Words spoken on the boat stay on the boat. !!! OOPS!!!
Approaching the Salcombe Harbor is magnificent and all I can think of is the Venis Café at this point and stopping of for one of their delicious Hot Chocolates. We get nearer to the sandy shore and as soon as it looks shallow enough I jump out into the freezing water and hold the bow of the boat and then pull it up onto the golden sand, missing all the swimmers, buckets and spade and of course the Salcombe Ferry. Must not get anywhere near that, as we would be in big trouble!!
Arriving on Mill bay is a real joy. Families with children of all ages can come to this amazing sandy bay. When I was younger and even now, I loved to dig holes and go damming. At this point I must mention that every year dams are built at the top end of the beach and every year we are told off by the same old “GRUMPY” man who does not think it’s the right thing to do, but the owner of the beach doesn’t mind as the dams are always broken at the end of each tiring day and the water is free to run down to the sea again. This happened year after year as one of my friends grandparents remembered doing exactly the same thing.
No Harm done then, eh!
Across the shimmering estuary from East Portlemouth you can see the brightly painted houses of Salcombe. It’s a must to get into the inflatable tender and motor over and get a warm pasty from the bakers. Then walk up to the glorious Yacht Club and sign on to do the racing.
Walking through the busy, winding streets of Salcombe you pass all kinds of different shops. People rushing here and there going about there businesses, either getting ready to sail, or just eating a delicious Salcombe Dairy Ice-cream over looking the crowed harbor.
Racing at Salcombe can be hazardous to say the least. Imagine you are on the start line with another 40 or so boats, the loud gun goes off and there are boats tacking everywhere. The shouting of everyone can be heard from the beach because of the loud echo. The boats to watch out for are the Yawls as they do not give way, but once you have started and away from the rest it such a fabulous feeling with the breeze on your face.
Sometimes the wind gets very strong and you can see boats capsizing everywhere and people trying to clamber back into their boats and carry on.
Yes, I capsized as well, splash, splutter, crash went the sails into the water, but fortunately the boat came upright again and the race continued.
Salcombe is full of surprises. Once my mirror dinghy went for an adventure of its own. Somehow one evening the boat slipped into the water with the high tide and floated all by itself out of the harbor and out into the open sea towards Plymouth!!!!
At this point we did not know where it had gone until we heard on the radio that a dinghy had been toed back to Salcombe by a huge trawler. Amazingly enough, the damage was minimal and we were able to sail the last race of the regatta.
Other activities can be found during the action packed two weeks. Finding the “Blunders” in the shop windows, waiters and waitresses race, greasy pole, the mud race, yes it muddy all right!!!
Even if you do not sail, Salcombe has something to offer for everyone crabbing is great fun, just sitting on the quay with your line dangling down, waiting for the unexpected crab, plop. In it goes, into the bucket. Last count was 36!!!!
It’s a wonder the butchers don’t get fed up with people asking for meat for crabbing, but they don’t, year in and year out is the same request, “ Please may I have some bait for crabbing?” “Yes of course”, says the butcher smiling.
Another highlight of Salcombe is THE BIG HIPPO. Out on the body board on the sand bank, when the tide is coming in. I love it as the huge waves come crashing in and carry you along until you flip over.
Visiting Salcombe year after year is like experiencing a new adventure every time.