Adventure group go RIB riding

Meeting at 12.30 for 1.00. There is the boat, the one we thought was a lifeboat.  Only ever sit here when having a pint. We are boarding, pontoon will be wobbly, bit early to fall in. Life jacket, only inflates when you are in the water which is 17c. Reassured….

And away, out into the Teign, the large boat next to us collects whelks, other is a trawler catches flounder.  Fastest tide run in the country at the mouth of the river. We survived that.

And here comes  the speed, and more, and spray. Turn back in towards the coast to Labrador Bay, looking for seals and seabirds. Excellent information on Geology as well as wild life. Six minutes of high speed close to coast to Maidencombe, and nearby Whitsand Bay. Baby seal being lazy on the beach, mother seal and another baby playing in the shallows, watched by a kingfisher.  Good time watching and then into various coves and caves all known to the skipper. One only has an entry if you turn your neck sideways and swim in the dark with neck bent for eight metres. That’s fun?

More high speed and then to Hope’s Nose. Home of some dozen New Age travellers who have kept the area spotless for 6 years. Various shags, cormorants, gulls, so obvious now we have our nature eyes fixed. There are some falcon droppings but no falcon, worth a picture, perhaps not.

Easier  to go into the wind at high speed and then go in close to the rocks off  Livermead  Beach apparently, this is great fun, loads of spray.

Close up to Bell Rock, baby seal annoying us by hiding just as camera focused and steadied.

Water choppy, white horses, dangerous current,  good for fishing though.  Right, let’s go and find dolphins.  Fastest yet wind chasing us, past ship waiting to go in Teignmouth. Nearly in Dawlish Bay, no,  now stopped  following a razorbill or is it a guillemot or gannet?   Bobbing around is peaceful after after the adrenaline rush of high speed.

Oh no, here we go again, splash, splash, spray, splash, soaking, spray, Teignmouth Pier, spray,  slowing down, bright blue calm harbour. Nearly over.

Pontoon will be be wobbly, who cares, seasoned seafarers now.

What a enthralling afternoon.

Pete Thorogood, intrepid adventurer.