Sunday Summary – Week 1 – Stormbound in Salcombe
We’re on our way at last! After many months of preparation when the “to-do” list never seemed to get any shorter, we set sail from Dartmouth on Sunday 25th May 2025 on the first 100 Day summer of our Island Pilgrimage clockwise around the British Isles.
And what a send off we had! A lovely group from home in Wiltshire came down to Dartmouth for the weekend for a memorable time of prayer and pizzas (and perhaps just to make sure we actually left!). We were hosted by Britannia Royal Naval College at their Sunday morning Chapel service and prayed for as we started our adventures. A real privilege to be back there after over 40 years; very many thanks to Rev Keith Robus for hosting us and making all the arrangements.
After weeks of fine settled weather in the lead up to our departure it all changed the day before we were due to set off and we were expecting to quietly sneak back into Dartmouth to shelter. But I am sure Jesus literally “calmed the seas” as we had a remarkably smooth passage round Start Point and on to Salcombe. Once safely moored at the RNSA mooring in Salcombe we were stormbound for 4 days!
Our first Pilgrims, Owen and Emily, joined us in Salcombe where we had a great time praying for the town, visiting Holy Trinity parish church (where we were delighted to see our Island Pilgrimage poster on the notices), visiting Overbecks Gardens and getting blown by the wind at Bolt Head.
Finally ventured out to sea on Thursday, holding on tight as Sea Fever was tossed by the waves crossing Salcombe Bar, and a lively sail to the River Yealm. Such a lovely spot there. Our crewmate Horatio, the SSAFA Bear, was very excited to be back at the site where his portrait was painted and now hangs in Jamie’s mother’s house in Aberdeenshire.
Then on to Plymouth in lovely weather : Rev Graham Smith from St Matts church in Plymouth captured amazing long range photos of us sailing across the Sound. Moored in Mayflower Marina we were also able to catch up with some of the Royal Naval Sailing Association Great British Cruise who are sailing around Britain this summer to celebrate 90 Years of the RNSA
St Matts in Plymouth hosted us for a prayer breakfast on Saturday morning. Our first city visit and a really special time of prayer for the City and our Island Pilgrimage. Thank you St Matts!
As Week 1 drew to a close we said farewell to Owen and Emily and welcomed Jay and Victoria for the next stage of our adventures. Praying for fair winds and calm seas as we head on West, and for divine encounters on our journey.
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