We leave Dartmouth the next morning feeling very happy and refreshed by the beauty of out most recent discoveries. Our destination is Torquay only a stones throw away around the headland. Torquay is easily spotted from the water by the large ferris wheel on the waterfront. We find the berth allocated to us with no difficulty and get settled in. They say that first impressions are the strongest, so our first impression of Torquay was one of a seaside town that in previous times was probably splendid. However nowadays it seems worn down and rather shoddy. The next morning is full of preparations for the arrival of Roland's sister Kate and her son Ted.
They arrive at the beginning of the afternoon and give both of us an injection of enthusiasm about Torquey in general, managing to spot all the "lovely" Georgian and Victorian specialities. Kate and Ted grab their swimming costumes and go (in great English tradition) for a swim, both Leontine and Roland decide that the sea is to be sailed on and not swum in. Kate and Ted follow up the swim with fish and chips and then we go for a ride on the ferris wheel.
After a yummy curry dinner on board cooked by Leontine we turn in for a good nights sleep.
The next morning we wave goodbye to Torquay and set sail for Teignmouth, a lovely seaside town where we can tie up on a pontoon in the middle of the estuary. We go by dinghy to the beach at Shaldon on the west side of the estuary and walk to the Ode Cafe where Kate treats us to a delicious lunch.
We all agree that Teignmouth and in particular Shaldon is a much more beautiful and enjoyable destination than Torquay.
We say farewell to Kate and Ted at the Teignmouth station and return to the boat to prepare for our passage the following morning to Lyme Regis.
Lyme Regis is a charming town (well known from the film the French Lieutenants Woman). Although tourism is clearly 'Hot' in Lyme Regis, it has not been ruined. The fishing industry, although being fairly small scale, is still flourishing - supplying the local restaurants and pubs with fresh produce.
We stay in Lyme Regis for two nights on a mooring buoy. After the second night we are very happy to slip our lines, as the swell (although not large according to Roland) was considerable the whole time rocking us from side to side.
We sail on to Weymouth, passing incredible rock formations and cliffs on the way along the Jurassic coast. The marina in Weymouth is a welcome rest with the boat as steady as a rock in its berth. Weymouth is a friendly town, boasting a wide promenade along the coast. And whilst it certainly has also known better times in earlier years, the atmosphere is still lively in a funny sort of way.