Plymouth

We arrived at Plymouth Yacht Haven looking like 2 drowned rats! We had problems with the mainsail again and it was lying in a mess, just about on the boom. 

Good news! The marina has just started its winter rates so mooring charges are less than expected. Thanks for the goody bag and free wi-fi. 

    Booked in for 2 nights, looks like its going to be a third as there is thunder and lightening right above us at the moment. Tomorrow looks better. 

Shotting it down. 

We had just hoisted our still wet oil skins up the mast to dry, then straight down again as the heavens opened. 

On with the 'air con'. We'll see if we can dry them hung up in the cabin. 

Alison's happy with a book. 

On our last night at Brixham some local kids had the bright idea of launching 100 floating candles from a slipway next to the marina. 

I think it was in remembrance of a school kid who had committed suicide. Our deepest condolences. 

The wind blew the floating flames in our direction. I'm not sure as to how much of a hazzard this would cause, but I didn't like the thought of a naked flame nestled up to our plastic boat. 

A guy from the marina office came down and extinguished them when they came within range of his hose pipe. The few he missed I got by splashing them with the deck brush. The don't go out that easily. 

This photo is after most were extinguished. 

The marina said that they have had problems with Chinese lanterns also. 

   Did you know that you can apply to the RYA for an ICC ( International Certificate of Competence ) by filling in a form and sending them photo copies of your Day Skipper Practical certificate and Passport?  We've just found out. Why didn't anyone tell us before?

Thanks Keith from 'Black Diamond of Durham' and Peter ( S/v Elshar ) we met at Brixham. 

Sending today. Fast track.