Engine Troubles and Dolphin Bubbles!

Last night we were sitting in a quirky, little pub that just juts out of the rocky cliffs around Dartmouth Marina. The walls were lined with gaudy nautical trinkets (the topless mermaid ashtray was my particular favourite) and there was a slight old man, musty smell that seemed to linger just out of sight. Yet there was a roaring fire behind us, a heaving plate of food in front and we were showered and safely moored up so all was well... which was lovely, especially after the problematic past few days!


The journey from Southampton was challenging to say the least. The engine had been problematic the entire way. Jarvis solved it taking on water (a simple circular metal clip needed tightening), however it has since done a 180 and is now stubbornly refusing to pump water in to cool it down. It has been progressively getting worse and will currently only run for 10 minutes at a time (Mr Engineer man has his head in there as i type, fingers crossed). Thankfully we were still able to get to Dartmouth on schedule as it has been super windy meaning our trusty (and well serviced) sails are now starting to pay for themselves (YEY). Yet it has also meant that we have been rockin' and rollin' the entire way making for some pretty sicky stomachs. Even all of our anti-sick gizmos and gadgets couldn't help so it was grin and bare it and float off into wonderful daydreams of what kinds of food we would eat when we arrived (Tia= Tikka Masala Curry. Jarvis = Chilli Burger).

We did have a highlight however, that has officially put the duckies down the list. Yesterday we saw DOLPHINS!!! I honestly wouldn't have thought you'd see them in waters this cold but there they were.Weird ones with white patches all over them; Jarvis is questioning whether they have dandruff?? Yet the little family of three hooked and dived along side and under the yacht for a few hours before deciding we were not that exciting anymore and swimming away and out of sight. Sadly no photo of them due to feeling rubbish but have since found out they are called "White Beaked Dolphins".


Our official "Boat of the Marina" spot is back again, and for Dartmouth it was not a hard one at all... Noah and his Ark was an obvious winner!

I would like to leave you with some photos that have definitely made me smile. Jarvis is not quite as keen as I am on writing but what he lacks in excitement with words, he makes up for with super happy pictures. Observe!!

• Lots of delicious food face (my home made veggie lasagna):-

• And the first sighting of beautiful blue skies in three days makes an erm, scaringly happy Jarvis??

Tia and Jarvis, Over and Out!