​​On the other side of the harbour was a gothic-looking church: Saint Peter the Appostle, in Shaldon. Its silhouette stood out starkly, as lighting briefly lit the scene again; as if revelling in the drama itself. Of course, thought James. Saint Peter was ‘a fisher of people’, who among others things, famously walked on water - for a while at least! Not having quite enough faith for that yet, James packed his bag and ran to a little white and blue rowing boat moored at the shore. How he wished Jesus was there to calm this storm! He had to lean on all he learnt at Chipstead Lake back at Chevening, and battle to make progress against the unrelenting waves. They were fierce, even here in this protected inlet. Thunder tore and split the very air surrounding him.

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James tried to distract himself, with the thought that it couldn’t be as bad as what happened in the WW2. Far from being a protective force, the inlet was both an aid to navigation and a clear route for German attacks during the early part of the war. Fighter planes and bombers targeted Shaldon, Teignmouth and the nearby towns - screeching along the undefended river.

 

It wasn’t until the locals petitioned Churchill directly, that air defences were finally put in place. Some were positioned on the toll bridge that James was approaching; others located at the Gun House and the Ness in Shaldon. The remorseless storm compelled James to vividly imagine search lights seeking out the Luftwaffe, while the sound of defensive artillery and enemy bombs echoed like thunder all around.