Wednesday was the last day of September and probably my last ‘straight from work’ seaside trip to Exmouth this year. Fish and chips as usual, but not much of a stroll as I have a sprained ankle. Sue and I found a bench out of the breeze, to watch the world go by.

We were in the shelter of the lifeboat station, and look what peeped out.

There’s been a lifeboat station at Exmouth for more than 200 years, and last year alone there were 84 launches and they helped 64 people. Just two days earlier the crew rescued a man cut off by the tide on the Exe estuary. Wednesday was an exercise night for the new Shannon class boat, R and J Welburn.

I’m sure they are very proud of this handsome boat, here it goes,

assisted by a tractor type thingy!

down the ramp.

Last checks and it’s gone into the fading light.

And there’s a boundary to keep you safe on the ramp.

The RNLI is ‘the charity that saves lives at sea’, so far today there have been 16 launches in the waters of Great Britain. Courageous men and women, thank you.