The composition of this year’s Salcombe camp was largely comprised of three family groups, the Jones (who arrived just before the middle weekend having had to shield for a week because of Covid), the Keytes who arrived at the start and the Mullins who also arrived at the start. Activities were naturally influenced by tides and by the youngsters present in each family: Jones – 2 young adults, Keytes – 2 near and 1 actual teenagers and Mullins – 3 all toddler sized. We also had very welcome visits from Peter and Julie Merriman (who camped for a few days and kept us updated on the Helford camp) and from Graham and Peppy Dadd who had recently moved to Teignmouth.
Activities were also (naturally) influenced by the weather which effectively divided the holiday into three successive parts,
1. Lovely warm and sensible winds,
2. Rain and strong winds and
3. Less rain and a bit less wind.
Part 1 – nice weather.
After setting up camp on Saturday, a little work was needed to repair the footpath where it entered the beach before the boats were lowered and rigged. Sunday’s cruise was a gentle potter up to Frogmore by paddle board, kayak, outboard, Javelin and a single handed Versa. Lunch was had at the Globe (see right) on the terrace in warm sunshine.
We returned against a head wind which enticed some sailors into the Kingsbridge Estuary for some ‘proper’ sailing.
The following day’s expedition was to Southpool where the Javelin and the Versa were met by a land party equipped with a picnic lunch (the queue at the pub was a bit lengthy). Sailing back on the falling tide was entertaining with tacks enlivened by rapid adjustments of the centre board! We needed to relax after all
this so the following day was spent in ‘playing’ in the Kingsbridge Estuary and on the next day we visited (Javelin, Versa and a Kayak fleet) Kingsbridge itself for ice creams and a spot of crabbing.
Part 2 – windy and wet.
Lack of water meant that any water-based activities would be later in the day and so the first of several walks to the farm shop took place, usually resulting in purchases of barbeque food or some delicious pasties or just for some excellent coffee, whilst admiring the view of the creek below. Others walked on into Frogmore for breakfast at the bakery – which served fresh croissants and coffee.
The following day saw much rain and the Keytes decided to visit Plymouth by train (from Totnes, see left). Here the party divided into two, some visiting the ‘Box’ to explore the Mayflower exhibition (where a possible Mullins ancestor was found to be part of the Mayflower crew).
On returning to the camp we discovered that Peter and Julie Merriman had arrived and were busy pitching their quite small (by Cody standards!) tent – however they did have a very comfortable bed in their estate car!
In the evening we welcomed Peter and Julie and then Gareth and Christine who arrived later than planned, suffering punctures en-route and helped them with tents. Bethan, Lauren and Lucas arrived at the weekend. Continuing strong winds put paid to longer cruises and the wet weather made it keep-a-car-at -the-top-of-the-hill time. Despite the windy weather, there were some Kayak cruises, such as a surf like visit to Frogmore and the Globe for a swift ‘half’ and a battle with the wind on the return.
The longest Kayak cruise though was Gareth and Christine’s cruise to the Winking Prawn at North Sands for a sea food barbeque. (There were several visits to this establishment – not all by water!)
Back at camp, and in improving weather, the Keyte’s decided to remember all the birthdays that couldn’t be properly celebrated over the past year because of Covid. A mass Cream Tea was served from a decorated gazebo by the Keyte youngsters and all accompanied by glasses of prosecco to toast the birthdays of all present.
At this time there were several ‘land based’ activities too; some went to Dartmouth for a boat trip to Dittisham followed (after an excellent lunch) by a delightful walk along the Dart Valley trail back.
Part 3 – windy but not so wet
The improved weather saw more high-speed antics in Kingsbridge Estuary, with the
Javelin apparently trying to break the harbour speed limit whilst also providing Gareth with some exercise on the wire.
On the following day in slightly less windy conditions, all of us visited one of the beaches opposite Salcombe and adjacent to Mill Bay. The original destination of North Sand (and the Winking Prawn) was abandoned owing to heavy surf – there was quite a swell at the bar. Beach activities included the building of a sand/rock city whilst others went off in kayaks (it was very mixed fleet) to explore the harbour entrance.
Towards the middle of the week, the Javelin and 101 (Jamie’s campervan) had departed (leaving teens in safe (?) care of grandparents and auntie. Some more paddle boarding and kayaking continued, with Peter and Matthew providing some high speed entertainment in the Sport 14 – enlivened by the failure of one of the trapeze wires and inevitable capsize.
With the end of camp approaching, a mass BBQ was held to celebrate another highly enjoyable camp.
Friday saw the remaining Keytes and Jones depart, (the muddy track having dried sufficiently for boat haulage uphill) leaving the Mullins to enjoy a last meal at the Globe before returning home.
Despite the changes in weather and fewer numbers, this was a hugely enjoyable camp, memorable for quiet mornings with stunning views along Frogmore Creek, sailing along beautiful creeks and get togethers over a BBQ or during the evening chats – with a glass or two of course!
Gordon Keyte
Our short participation in both Helford and Salcombe Summer Camps 2-7th August 2021 by Peter and Julie Merriman
Arriving at Calamansack was like coming home, as we turned into the field it was like being greeted by a much-loved friend after a parting of 20 years. We have been busy doing other things but could not understand why we had left it so long.
We pitched where Dorothy and Alan Whitehead had always parked their camper and immediately understood, the view was amazing, and as we were only paddling now, we had more time to look at it.
We had a lovely Cody welcome within a few minutes and Jenny brought us up-to-date, as the camp had been in session for two days by then.
Not being very active members but enjoying following activities and we saw many old familiar faces and met many new ones.
Morning assemblies were fun as usual with the right amount of careful planning to ensure everyone was safely engaged.
On our first day there, there was little wind but it did get up a bit later so we paddled Canadian “Hot Lips” to re-explore Port Navas Creek, Helford Passage and Frenchman’s Creek, later watching the single handers having an outing.
On Wednesday we had a very entertaining weather from Steve using smaller participants and Rob as “lows and highs” in weather terms, the prognosis was not good for the next few days.
We grabbed the opportunity of another light wind day to paddle up to Gweek looking forward to visiting the Café advertised as good by fellow mariners.
Sadly, Gweek was closed due to staffing issues, thankfully we had our ”Old school“ thermos flasks
with us, but Julie would have liked a good Cappuccino– the first for about 18 months! Paddling back in the lovely sunshine, and pausing for lunch at Tremayne Quay (sorry no Pirates in evidence Bob), we decided as we were moving to Salcombe on Thursday that we needed to get our Tent down as high winds and rain were in the forecast. We had a lovely birthday party with super doughnuts and everyone covered in jam and chocolate.
The sailing fleet had a lovely day being divided in two with the gold fleet going to Gillan and the silver to Ponsence Cove.
Awakening on Thursday too blustery wind and penetrating rain we packed up and left by about 8.30 having said our goodbyes and the previous evening. After making a family visit on the way we arrived in Salcombe about 6 PM and pitched in the rain wondering if we were ever going to get our heavily loaded van up the very wet field track again.
No signs of life on arrival then after a few minutes Pete and Allison arrived to welcome us and suggest sheltered spots.
We rapidly became re-acquainted with the Mullins and Keyte extended Families many of whom now had wives/ husbands and quite elderly children who we had not seen before. Friday morning low water so decided to walk into Frogmore tenancy Julie’s childhood friend. Lovely sunny walk and on return we were invited to a sumptuous Camp cream tea to celebrate all the birthdays and anniversaries we had missed during Covid. Thanks Gordon and Jenny.
Christine and Gareth had arrived in the dark the night before so we had a grand tent moving party “all hands” to new location where they could be with family who were arriving soon.
After all windy and wet night with no sign of any change of weather (and a Monday medical appointment given to us on Friday by Phone) we broke camp saying last sad goodbyes and tried to climb the hill in pouring rain. Rapidly realizing we were not going up with a loaded van we were rescued by Pete in his amazing LR4WD truck and unceremoniously left the camp being towed!!
Many thanks Pete much appreciated. Thanks also to all involved in organizing camps this year – very difficult, but you did it, and made so many of us feel so much better.
All in all, our short visits to Cody summer camps were great, lovely people lovely situations, great fun, thank you all!.
Rain what rain? Wind? Well – never enough, sometimes too much.
Lasting impression- everyone has huge tents now, and our equipment is even more dated than we realized!! – 1960’s revisited. Hey Ho!
Peter and Julie Merriman