Summer 2021-Covid Free

With restrictions still in France because of Covid , we are heading along the South Coast and hope to visit the Scilly Isles early June. Read more

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Trip start
April 23, 2021
Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Pre Season Prep 21
April 22, 2021 in England ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
After a long lockdown we have been working on Fino for a few weeks and plan to head off on Monday along the South Coast to the Scilly Isles.
Decks paInted, heating sorted, new outboard purchased engines serviced and its time to fill up the tanks!Read more
TravelerFantastic 😊 Can't wait to see where you get to 👍🏻
4/25/21Reply
TravelerWoop woop!!! Great news guys...I’m sure Fino will look after you all! X
4/26/21Reply
TravelerYay, have a fab time xx
4/26/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
And we are off - leaving Poole
April 27, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
So this is it we are finally on our way for our slow cruise down the South Coast. The 11.30 bridge opening from Poole Harbour and we are out and free to cruise for a couple of months.
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Off to Portland Bay
April 27, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Are we meant to be going or not?

We clear the bridges and gently meander through Poole Harbour. Just as we approach the Sandbanks ferry at the entrance to the harbour, engine alarms go off! Whilst Sally helms us to Studland Bay on one engine to drop anchor, Eric goes below deck and starts swearing! Long story short we had picked up a mass of weed whilst idling in the bridge basin, which blocked the water inlet so engine had over heated.
Problem solved we head around the headland and are enjoying a comfortable cruise across Weymouth Bay when we are called on the radio by the safety boat for Lulworth firing ranges. Today is practice day and we are in shooting range so we are asked politely to head 4 miles off shore so we don't get hit! Slightly longer route than we had planned but best not to argue!
On arrival at Portland 4+ cruise liners still hanging out waiting for business!
Safely moored up we head off for a stroll on Chesil beach to see the sunset.Read more
TravelerAll good now, so enjoy your next trip xx
4/29/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Day exploring Portland Bill
April 28, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Wet day forecast so decided to head off for long morning walk before the rain settles in. A lot of history on the Island and great to see the old castles and battlements. Looks like some development not finished after the 2012 Olympic sailing held here but more to come.
A stroll up the merchants railway track to the top with views out across Weymouth Bay and Lyme Bay. We even found some Wallabies at the top much to Orlas interest!Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
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Torquay via Bridport
April 29, 2021 in England ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Having done our research last night we have decided to head through the inner passage round Portland Bill. A first for us, as normally we are at least 5 miles off shore. As we have decided to pop into West Bay, the home of fresh fish and chips, for supper we have decided to hug the coast. Most of the passage is only 200 meters of shore so need to keep our eyes open for lobster pots and rocks!
On arrival we stick our nose into the harbour and the small pontoon for yachts is just to small for Fino! The alternative is alongside the wall with 4m ladders to climb with Orla! Dont think that will work so decision made to head to the English Riviera and pop into Torquay for a couple of nights. Have boat will travel. Good time to catch up with the knitting whilst Orla sleeps through the journey.
Torquay by 4.30 just as the weather was closing in but time for a quick wash of the boat and walk to the beach to stretch our legs - seaweed dinner for Orla before settling in for a quiet night.Read more
Traveler Is that where you moored up? It does say " Not for navigation purpose"!
5/10/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
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Cockington
April 30, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
With rain forecast in the afternoon we headed out early on foot to Cockington country park. A lovely walk along the seafront then through the water gardens to the Drum pub. A quaint English village with great craft shops and a thatch roof or two for Eric, who likes a bit of thatch!
Once the rain had gone through, a lovely sunset across the bay finished the day off nicely.Read more
TravelerVicarious pleasure! Thank you ☺️
5/2/21Reply
TravelerYou would have loved the grounds. X
5/2/21Reply
TravelerPS They have updated the app so i can reply👍
5/2/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
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Adrenalin day
May 1, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Special entertainment laid on today with the Offshore power boat races in the bay. Birds eye view for us sitting on the harbour wall and a power board display thrown in too.
Traveleris that Eric on the jet pack?
5/4/21Reply
TravelerHe's been working on his 6 pack for some time!
5/4/21Reply
Traveler Lovely photo 😍
5/4/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
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Lazy days
May 2, 2021 in England ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Sunday was an early walk with Orla along the pier before heading off for a lunchtime picnic in the park with Ruth and Stu.
Bank Holiday Monday morning we headed East along the Coastal path before the big storm which was forecast with 60 mph winds arrived in the afternoon, Fab views at Daddyhole Plain and Wellswood smelled delicious with all the wild garlic and bluebells in abundance.Read more
Traveler Social distance in extreme! Or is it possibly because of the Whitelaws being there?
5/10/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Back to Exmouth
May 5, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
A last walk in Torquay before we set off to visit Exmouth which we missed on the way down due to low tides. An easy trip around the headland and arrived in time for an afternoon shop and scamper on the sandy beach. More exploring tomorrow.Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Lympstone
May 6, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
A wake up stroll for Sal and Orla on the beach with the tide out whilst Eric built a new table in the Salon.
After lunch a hike up the Estuary to Lympstone for early door beers - a small village we considered living in before moving to Milford on Sea.Read more
TravelerWonderful memories xx
5/8/21Reply
TravelerLovely place Ceri. We enquired about going up the canal to Exeter but takes weeks to organise apparently!
5/8/21Reply
TravelerInterestingly it was also an area that we can considered to live in. Have you visited the NT property A La Ronde? Ah just checked and is temp closed. Guess it opens a week on Monday. Glad to hear that you are in a safe haven. Awful weather for May but sunshine in 10 days fingers crossed 🤞Just in time for your trip to Scilly Isles. Xx
5/8/21Reply
TravelerSmall world eh. Loving the walking but most other things closed. Cooking on a boat skills improving as too cold most days to eat out as well! Roll on 17th May.🤣
5/9/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Dawlish
May 7, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Taking the ferry to Starcross we then walked back through Cockwood to Dawlish Warren. A stroll along the seawall to Dawlish and back along the coastal path to take a water taxi back to Exmouth. 26253 steps later we have a very tired pup.Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Brixham here we come
May 9, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
After a day holed up with wet weather we decided to head onto Brixham. A stroll onto the beach to check the seascape before departing Exmouth marina at 2.30.
A lumpy wet crossing but arrived in time for early evening beers.Read more
Traveler🍺🍻
5/10/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Brixham
May 10, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
A quiet day and very slow stroll around Brixham as Orla not coping too well this tour due to old age. Sadly going to let her jump ship and take her own holiday in Earley until we get back in July. A quick drive up the M5/M4 tomorrow to drop her off, and restock the bar whilst we have a hire car!🤣🍺🍷🍫🍦Read more
TravelerPoor Orla :-( xxx
5/13/21Reply
TravelerShe is just too old...snuggled up with Joel now. X
5/13/21Reply
TravelerAww, dear Orla. Xx
5/14/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Another wet day!
May 12, 2021 in England ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
After a quick trip into Paignton to return the hire car and with a lot of wind and rain on the forecast we decide to head around to the Dartmouth estuary. We would like to try and walk the Kingswear headland in the morning before the rain comes in and we head to Salcombe. Arrived in the rain and it didn't stop....to make matters worse Eric couldn't even get a signal on the TV so stuck in with a good film - Sex in the City2! I loved it but not so sure about the skipper.😹Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Plymouth here we come
May 13, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Having rained all night and no break in the rain coming we have decided to head straight for Plymouth. A very unsettled forecast over the weekend, so no sunbathing in Salcombe for us. Decided to save the pennies and get a hire car in Plymouth and venture inland.Read more
TravelerWeather will be brilliant when you arrive in the Scillies. Enjoy your sightseeing. Garden now finished. Lawn looking good!
5/14/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Looe
May 14, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Having got a little Corsa hire car we headed off to Looe to explore a little bit of Cornwall. After reading the pilot books we realised we won't be able to stop there with Fino as the river dries out. A lovely village and 2 treats for Eric - a beer in the sun and a new fishing rod!
Bilges to sort first though!Read more
Travelerhow did you get the boat to go over the bridge 🤔
5/14/21Reply
TravelerShe is just like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang🤣
5/15/21Reply
Traveler🤣
5/15/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
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Polperro
May 14, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
After lunch we headed onto Polperro, a beautiful old fishing village. Traffic strictly controlled and had to park at top of village but at least this meant you could wander around with no worries in the very narrow streets. Wouldn't be right to be in Cornwall and not stop for a cream tea and support the locals.Read more
Traveler jam first to hold the cream !
5/14/21Reply
TravelerI failed!
5/15/21Reply
Travelerthe rules are different in Cornwall and in Devon apparently.
5/15/21Reply
TravelerI do Jam with cream on top wherever I am 😆
5/17/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Chagford
May 15, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Wet weekend so great time to hop off the boat and visit good friends Ruth and Stu. A walk to the Bluebell woods before cheeky beers in the pub then Ruth's home made supper , avoiding the April (May!) Showers. Silly hat night so Orlas mate came out to play.🐕Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Newton Ferrers
May 18, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
A few days off the boat visiting family and walking the coast. Ann and Steve hosted us with Pete and Jill joining us from Bristol we had a great catch up. Lovely to see the 3 brothers all reminiscing.
Travelerlooks amazing down there, better than the rain and gales up north
5/20/21Reply
TravelerYou will get to see it soon. Windy and rainy here too, just put the good pics up! 🤣🤣
5/21/21Reply
TravelerWhat a lovely family gathering. Enjoy
5/20/21Reply
TravelerIt was a lovely few days thx Lisa.
5/21/21Reply
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Ringmore
May 19, 2021 in England ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
A quick walk through the bluebell woods at Ann and Steves before heading of to Ringmore to meet Heather and Wal for lunch.

Arriving early we decided to walk down to Ayrrmer Cove and then back to The Journeys End pub for a catch up and bite to eat.

Final chapter of the day into Plymouth Argyle FC to have our 2nd jab..Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Storm bound
May 20, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
Waking up to rain we knew the storm had arrived. Admin and washing day before there was a break in there was a break in the rain about 4pm.
Still windy so we headed off to Plymbridge Woods and went for a beautiful walk along the river and Drakes trail - a national trust park,Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Lukes Wedding
May 21, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Second day with strong winds so a lazy day with an early glass of Fizz to watch and celebrate 🍾 Luke and Lizzies wedding. A lovely ceremony streamed live so we felt like we were there with them, numbers limited to 30 due to covid 19.
Rained stopped about 6pm so out we go to stretch the legs - even the swans and fishing boats stayed in harbour as just to blowy.
Had to be a day for a game of scrabble!Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Eden Project
May 22, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
A first for us and a great day to go - an unexpected break in the wind and cloud meant few people and no clouds.

A fab site to see and the tropical diome was the warmest I've been in weeks 😀. How they keep those plants alive in the winter is amazing and definitely made me feel like I was back in the rain forest in Australia.

Hopefully once life gets back to normal and they are fully funded again they can tidy up some of the displays as a few too many weeds popping up between the plants.Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Charlestown
May 22, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Making the most of the sunny day we went onto Charlestown, the old harbour used in many film productions , Poldark being one of many. Walking round you could feel the atmosphere and glad we came by car and not Fino!Read more
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Summer 2021-Covid Free Traveler
Plym Bridge Woods
May 23, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Another soggy day but we decided to head back out to the National Trust woods and explore the other direction. Not as scenic but a lovely walk despite being very muddy and damp!
Our first drink in the cockpit this season with Neil and Sue on board Lady J - lovely evening with Spaghetti 🍝 for supper.Read more
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