Cruiser Yealm Rally Report 12th-15th September 202
Published 09:55 on 27 Sep 2024
The Yealm Rally this year began as ever on Thursday evening, due to the weather conditions of the 5 boats who had originally planned to come just the 2 Plymouth boats arrived to a wonderfully empty pontoon generously reserved for us by the Yealm Harbour Master. That evening we had a small gathering on Lulworth and then headed for the pub, where we had a take away Chinese (they had stopped serving food by then despite a booking) with plates and cutlery generously supplied by the publican while we consumed their beverages and enjoyed the atmosphere of the pub.
The following morning dawned bright and sunny so we (4 people and a large dog) all set off on the water taxi to the Yealm, Wembury side ferry point and walked to the National Trust Café in Wembury where we had a leisurely lunch, swimming was considered by one of the walkers but she chickened out at the last moment. After lunch we walked back along the cliff path, looking out for our fellow sailors on the way to the ferry steps, where the ferryman greeted us a delivered us to back to the pontoon. By, this time 5 early riser Salcombe boats had arrived and by the evening we had 10 boats alongside and one on a mooring.
By prior arrangements we had arranged to meet at 6.30pm for a drinks, (provided by the crews) and nibbles event on the pontoon. A good time was had by all, tables for the event were kindly supplied by the Calverts and Nursers. We were also able to introduce one of our newest members to the friendly nature of our cruiser rallys. During this event it was decided by the girls that we would walk around Lady Barings Carrigeway the following morning and gather for lunch at the Ship in Noss Mayo.
The threat of rain on Saturday dawned did not materialize. In true sailor tradition we all agreed a slightly different plan. Therefore, 2 crews went ashore in their dinghies, they then walked the route clockwise starting from the Harbour Masters pontoon, while the rest of us went ashore in the water taxi at the southern steps on the Noss Mayo side of the creek and walked anticlockwise. The clockwise group stopped for coffee at the Ship and therefore met up with the others just as they came down the hill for lunch. Carole and James joined the anticlockwise group by dinghy from their boat and the others arrive for their lunch just as we were leaving.
The water taxi proved very useful as he returned to collect the late leavers from lunch before the early leavers had reached the upper pontoon.
This year we were fortunate enough to be able to organize the e-water taxi to collect all the rally participants, in several carefully co-ordinated trips to deliver and collect everyone for the evening events at the Yealm River Yacht Club from both the two buoys and the pontoon. At the Yacht Club we enjoyed early evening drinks outside before going into the Yacht Club for a delicious meal, provided by Maddie and her team. The e-water taxi saved many previous, some hilarious, and some rather interesting late evening trips in dinghies to the pontoon in the dark.
On Sunday morning 2 boats headed west to prolong the rally experience and the others returned to either Salcombe or Plymouth.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in the rally for making it a very enjoyable event. We also need to give especial thanks to Jez (the Yealm Harbour Master) and his team for co-ordinating the reservations on the pontoon, the Yealm Yacht Club for hosting the event and Maddie and her team who provided the wonderful catering on Saturday evening.
Eric & Liz Candy
