Brixham Heritage Regatta

On the 28th of May, Falanda and I took part in classic boat race around Torbay, as part of the Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta and Rally. The result was a first of class for Falanda, and most importantly, we beat dad on Amaryllis as a result of some (very) misjudged tacks. 

Just being around all the other pretty classic boats was amazing, and the regatta was brilliant fun (despite leaving in the pouring rain). I got a chance to finish up some odd jobs onboard and even got to climb up a boat’s mast to retrieve a flag, which was great! 

Unfortunately we missed the prizegiving evening as we rushed straight back to the Exe after crossing the finish line. We were catching a flight to Jersey the next day to help a friend bring a boat back. Me and dad arrived around midday to the sun shining down on the island and spent the rest of the day checking out the local boats around the harbour. 

The next day brought no wind so the delivery was postponed one more day until the forecasted north-easterly breeze kicked in, giving us time to have a thorough look around all the marinas, and of course crawl around the engine.  
 
Leaving at 9am we had a morning of spinnaker work until the wind swung more northerly and the wind picked up, when we flew along at 7kts for the rest of the daylight. By sunset the wind had dropped again so we raised the kite and headed in towards shore. Apart from 2 near misses with pots off the entrance, we had a smooth trip and arrived in at Salcombe just after midnight. 

I really enjoyed using the wheel -something I’m not really used to on modern boats- and it was great to try out yet another way to handle spinnakers. Thanks James! 

On arrival back at home, a parcel came through the post containing a personalised suncap from the organisers of the Heritage Regatta - their way of recognising my trip around Britain last year. I absolutely love the hat and with my name on the back it’s perfect! 

Falanda’s toerails are now completely fixed and finished, thanks to the efforts of Topsham Wood Carver and Falanda is now gleaming again! Recently I have been out touching up the varnish work, inside and out and just starting on the awkward jobs I’ve been putting off, so Falanda is starting to look very smart! ( I even washed the cushions - by hand- and am making a new curtain so that any passengers have slightly more privacy whilst using the heads).

Looking forward to another channel crossing on falanda this summer, and being among all the other classic boats at the French festivals!

Falanda looking very elegant as we charged across the bay


Sunset on a plastic boat





Patterns in the water... and my beautiful varnishwork!


Sailing alongside a very pretty boat before the start- the cream, hanked on sails and wooden mast giving me ideas...
I absolutely loved this boat!



Falanda looking very smart alongside Amaryllis and the other pretty boats.


Climbing up Spring Tide's mast!



Heading out into the Channel


Drying out Falanda on Bull Hill to scrub the bottom in order to get the edge on dad during the rally... (and to fix a minor leak!)


First coat of varnish over the new rails!


Very pleased with my new hat!





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