Exemouth - Jurassic Coast Boat Trip & Branscombe visit

A hearty breakfast was the order of the day courtesy of 'Stuart Line Cruise, as we made our way to Exmouth on the east bank of the mouth of the River Exe. I'm not always the best Sailor so felt it best to line ones stomach before taking to the ocean waves.  
We had booked ourselves on to a 'Jurassic Coast Cruises'. The promise of an 'award winning circular cruise' with live commentary from the Skipper and the discovery of how the world was formed was too tempting to resist. 

Safely parked up we made our way to the Exmouth Marina through some rather brightly coloured developments. There is a lot of activity today largely due to it being the start of the RS200 National Dinghy Racing Championship.with over 200 boats taking part. Quite a  sight as they make there way out to the starting point. I am immediately starting to regret not bringing a jumper as it is quite chilly by the water. We collect our tickets and get in the queue early to bag a good seat on the boat. Not a bad plan as it happened as there was already a sizeable queue almost an hour before departure time.Surprisingly enough we got good seats on the top deck right by the boarding gate.It was quite a relief and when one of the crew asked if anyone would like a blanket? Without any embarrassment whatsoever I claimed one immediately!

Dingy Racing

  
We watched the Dingy racers battling it out in the distance. Pretty good conditions too I would imagine? Everyone is now settled as we leave the Marina and the bar is open too! I'm not tempted though, alcohol and the open water are a bad combination for this one. Two ladies, one with an oversized shopping trolley have parked themselves next to us. They are mother and daughter, Mother is 86. She tells us that they are staying at a hotel in in Exmouth on the front. She also tells us that they have a massive full screen toilet in their room?? Her daughter points out that she has got her words muddled up again. We all have a laugh though and she sees the funny side of it. They come from Snodland in Kent. I casually mention that the singer 'Judge Dread' was from Snodland not expecting much recognition. Oh yes the lady said his Roadie lives two doors away from us , and they have named a close after him 'Alex Hughes Close' fantastic!

We head out past Budleigh Salterton and on to Ladram Bay and its thousands of Holiday Homes perched on the cliff top. We have also passed the point where Royal Marine Commandos begin their shooting practise into the sea. Thankfully they seem to be doing other things today. It is actually well managed for obvious reasons.Hundreds of Kittiwakes are nesting in the cliffs.

Kittiwakes nesting

Sea stack at Ladram Bay

 

Among the most impressive sights along the Jurassic Coast are the sea stacks at Ladram Bay. A geological landform consisting of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast, formed by wave erosion. The sea stacks occur over a 1.5 mile stretch, from the far end of the sandy beach west of Sidmouth, westwards to Ladram Bay,

The sea finds weakness in the rocks to form caves and natural arches that have since collapsed to produce sea stacks.

These offshore rocks are topped with grass and moss and their sides are often covered by bright green seaweed, and this vegetation creates a photogenic contrast with the rich red of the bedrock, resulting in quite a spectacular coastal landscape.

The high, red sandstone and mudstone cliffs that form the majority of the western section of the Jurassic Coast are seen most spectacularly either side of Sidmouth, where they rise up to 500 feet above the English Channel.    

Carefully avoiding the paddle boarders and the kayakers the boat turns around and makes its way back to our starting point at Exmouth. 

Enjoyed the boat trip which was followed up with a late lunch and a pint, well it was my Birthday!

Moving on back up the coast in an Easterly direction we wanted to call in at Branscombe. Believed to be the longest village in England. Located at the meeting point of two valleys or combes, Branscombe's thatched cottages meander down a magnificent valley nearly all the way to the sea.

In January 2007 the area made the headlines when the Container Ship 'MSC Napoli' was beached at Branscombe. Lyme Bay is sheltered from northwest, west and southwest winds, common at that time of year.

While en route from Belgium to Portugal on 18 January 2007,severe gale-force winds and huge waves caused serious damage to Napoli's hull, including a crack in one side and a flooded engine room. This was some fifty miles off the coast of Cornwall. 

After containers from the wreck began washing up at Branscombe, around two hundred people went onto the beach to scavenge the flotsam.

The Anchor from the MSC Napoli

    

Another very enjoyable pint was had at 'The Masons Arms'. Avoiding the temptation of the excellent St Austell Ales I opted for the local brew from the 'Branscombe Vale' Brewery 'Summa This' (4.2%) an Amber best bitter with a smooth finish. They didn't have the 'Summa That' Pale Ale on tap unfortunately. 

Another great day and no better way to celebrate a Birthday!