A short hop to Devgad

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Sucheta & Keith with Flash, our dinghy, slung up aft
After a few charters up and down to Bombay, we decided to take a break and sail with a friend, to the lovely harbour of Devgad. We had driven there last year, along the beautiful coastal road, precisely for this reason. Have a look at the blog I wrote about that trip. We now knew it had an accessible harbour and a beautiful beach. We also got hold of the chart that mapped out the sea around Devgad and transferred the relevant data onto our electronic chart. So when Keith came visiting, we were all set to go. Have a look at our video of the trip.

Leaving early that morning, we got to Antara and hooked up our dinghy to the roll bar, tucked the outboard motor inside and cast off. The winds were kind and even though we were headed North, the swell was well, swell! By evening we were at Vengurla Rocks and comfortable settled in to the boat routine. Dinner was a delicious pasta bolognaise that Keith has rustled up to celebrate his first long sail along the Indian coast. 

The winds however, decided to take a break later that night and we were soon motoring our way up. The constant worry of fishing nets, compounded by the fact that we had the motor running, had us up most of the night. I had the beginnings of a cold, and the medication had me feeling drowsy and very sporadic with my watch keeping; so Dilip had to manage most of the night watch. Around 0600, as the sea breeze started up, we put up the sails and coasted in to Devgad around 0800. 
Keith at the Devgad fort

The fishing boats motored in around us, as we got ready to disembark. Keith and Dilip, the landing party, hopped in to the dinghy; while I decided to stay at anchor with Antara. Just as they readied for departure the local coastal police came along to check our papers. A very civilised exchange of information and good wishes followed. On reaching the shore, about half a mile away, Dilip and Keith walked up the jetty to meet the head of the coastal police. As luck would have it, he turned out to be an old diving buddy, Jitendra Salunke. He jumped to attention, recognising Dilip from his stint in the Navy. Even better, he handed over the keys to his Royal Enfield. The two old salts, promptly took off on a tour of the terrain, checking out Devgad fort and the township.

An hour later, they returned, almost triumphant, at the ease with which things had fallen into place. Visitors are typically greeted with a bunch of flowers, so this duo came back with 'special' gifts for me. 
Flowers from the local constabulary

Then it was my turn to take a 'chukker' on the bike. This time we went up the lighthouse, a first for me. We managed to take some videos of the view and of Antara in the distance below.

While the boys were off sightseeing, I had managed to call a local chef and asked him to deliver some prawn curry and rice bhakris to the jetty. A memorable meal, so of course we plan to visit Devgad again soon!

 After all that food, we had to work it off right!? So we hoisted up the dinghy, replaced the OBM inside and cast off again.

 Sailing south is much easier, with the wind in the right quarter. I was feeling a bit better, but took an early snooze so I could do the early morning watch. And we cruised home with not a single tack, reaching Dona Paula at 0900. 

With Antara, you now have the opportunity to sail, safe in Covid times - on a large sailboat, along the coast, in the deep blue yonder! You decide and we'll design a sail just for you. 

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