Portland
18 July
Weeki Wachee stayed for a day in Portland. Derek spent the morning seeking out a dentist to refix a dental bridge which had fallen out during the channel crossing. This required taking a bus to Weymouth and then a taxi to Poundbury near Dorchester.
Meanwhile, Joe and Norbert explored Portland on foot. Derek rendezvoused with them at the Punch Bowl Inn in Easton for a beer. After doing some shopping, Norbert returned to the boat, while Derek and Joe walked to the prison, over the highest part of the headland and down to the harbour past the fortifications and tudor castle. Later, Smutje Joe treated the crew to turkey cordon-bleu for dinner.
Read an excerpt from “The Trumpet Major” by Thomas Hardy.
