Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales - Days 57,58

Milford Haven - Saturday 2nd July 2011 - Day 57

While in the marina, Bill went off to the shops and laundry.  He got into conversation with the RNLI personnel running a local stand who were doing safety checks on life jackets, Bill (governor of RNLI) took ours along and they all passed.  Meanwhile Stuart came to assist in the replacement of a broken stanchion foot on the boat.

This marina situated in the Milford dock has wonderful facilities and you are made most welcome.
Stuart drove us to his marina at Neyland and in the local chandlers purchased the charts required for our onward journey, then off to a caravan shop for an electrical extension cable for the boat.  An additional one of these was essential, as the power required for the boat at night is insufficient with the battery power available on board.  Namely, shore supply is required to run the heater and entertainment systems.

Stuart then took us for a tour of the area including the beautiful Manorbier which is also a Territorial Army training and firing range, where from the cliff, you look onto a sandy secluded cove with spectacular views over the Bistol Channel towards Lundy Island, North Devon and Pendine Beach.

Stuart then took us to his home in Pembroke and met his wife Fiona who made us a wonderful meal and we were royally entertained.  The drive back was past Pembroke castle which is in beautiful situation on the river bank. At he marina we finished off another wonderful day in the usual manner with nightcaps in the nearest bar.







Milford Haven - Sunday 3rd July 2011 - Day 58

This was declared an easy day, Bill is off to the shops for his coffee morning while I washed down the boat.  For lunch we went to the marina Martha's Vineyard for an excellent roast beaf and steak sizzler.

The next day we wanted an early start to get across the Bristol Channel but the tides for the lock were not in our favour, so we decided to leave in the evening.  We left the pontoon at 18.30 through the now free-flow lock and into the Haven.  The photo shows the latest gas terminal unloading complex, where most of the supply to the UK is imported, after its transportation aboard giant tankers from Quatar in the Persian Gulf.                                                                   

A one hour run from the marina and we were sitting on a waiting pontoon in Dale Day at 20.00 in a lovely spot and an early night.                                                                                                                 

Fishguard to Milford Haven - Day 56

Fishguard to Milford Haven - Friday 1st July 2011 - Day 56

We said farewell ot Richard and left the quay at 08.00.  An hour later and we were 1/4 mile off Strumble Head lighthouse.

St. David's Head Lighthouse

The main was set as a steadying sail as we motor-sailed for the day in very light airs with beautiful sunshine. By 11.30 we were off St David's Head and turning the corner into Ramsey Sound.  Here the tide has to be right in this narrow strip and we shot through with the tide, attaining a speed over the ground of 10.2 knots.  Once through, into Saint Brides Bay where seven oil tankers were lying at anchor.  At 13.00 we were passing Skomer Island a well known bird sanctuary where we saw some of the puffins.  Skokholm Island lies near to the south and we were passing St Ann's lighthouse at 14.00 and made our approach into Milford Haven.

This very large natural harbour is home to the oil refineries of the major oil companies and recently the main terminals for the import of natural gas.  These large vessels discharging their valuable cargoes are passed as you make your way into Milford Lock and await your entry into the marina.  By 16.15 we were alongside B10 pontoon after a beautiful days run, especially past Ramsey and Skomer Islands.                                                                                                                                                      

In the evening Stuart Walder, another Tallship Engineer came to the marina and we met in Martha's Vineyard, where we had a lovely steak sizzler meal and finished off in the very noisy marina Habour Master bar.                                                                                                                                              

Aberystwth to Fishguard - Day 55

Aberystwth to Fishguard - Thursday 30th June 2011 - Day 55

The way the wind was blowing and without using the engine, mooring ropes were let go and the boat came perfectly off the pontoon into the channel, then motored out of the harbour, back at sea 08.00.
Full sail was soon set and auto-helm, smooth sea, sunny skies and close hauled on the starboard tack.
Off Cemaes Head we began to lose the wind and practiced helming in the light airs.  We were looking into a beautiful bay which leads up into Cardigan, the soft rolling hills with the fields of many shades of green made a wonderful foreground.

Fishguard Quay

At 17.00 we were in Fishguard Bay and permission had been granted by the Port Manager for us to berth on the town quay.  This had been arranged by Richard Czuchar, who I had worked with on the Tallship Prince William while drydocking in Hull prior to her sale.
Richard took our lines and we were invited on board the ship he is presently working on, see photo.
The fast catamaran Stena Lynx 3 is on the Rosslaire run to Ireland.  We were given a very nice meal and a tour of the ship.  A walk ashore to the two pubs were very nice as we exchanged stories with the other crew members of the Lynx.  Our booked taxi did not turn up so we strolled back to the yacht after having spent another excellent day and meeting up with an old friend.

Aberystwth, Wales - Days 53,54

 

Aberystwth - Tuesday 28th June 2011 - Day 53

Bill went off to the local laundry and later in the afternnon we went looking for hardware stores for tools for the boat.
Aberystwth is home to the University of Wales, most of the students were away after their exams and the luck ones were back receiving their degrees.  The town is dominated by the University buildings and student accomodation while the sea front/promenade with its shingle beach has large terraced  hotels, catering for the many holiday makers from years gone by.  There are some unusual and fine examples of architecture alongside the many churches.  One such place is Weatherspoons which is built into the still functioning railway station.  There is even a blue plaque outside from Network Rail congratulating them on their conversion.  It was steak night in Weatherspoons so we ate there before moving onto the Varsity pub and back to the Fountain Inn next to the marina for the nightcaps.

Aberystwth - Wednesday 29th June 2011 - Day 54

Another free day so off on the tourist trail.  At the end of the promenade you come to the cliff cable car railway and from the top is this view of Aberystwth.  Another stroll round the town found all sorts of interesting places though little was heard of the Welsh language.
We now decided we had worked our way through Weatherspoons menu and needed something different.  A Japanese Restaurant took out liking and we were not disappointed with the outcome. On the way back we did called in and said farewell to the staff in the Varsity pub and Fountain Inn.

Caernarfon to Aberystwth - Day 52

Caernarfon to Aberystwth - Monday 27th June 2011 - Day 52

We left the Victoria Dock marina at 07.00 with three other yachts and proceeded down the Straits in sunny, light air conditions and found our way past the sand banks which took an hour to the open sea.
The breeze began to pick up and hoisted full sail at 08.30 and left it to the auto-helm (popeye).
We began reefing the main with the 2nd one in by 11.00 as we shortened sail.
There is an inside passage at Bardsley Island but on our arrival the tidal conditions were not suitable with a race going through the narrows.  We passed outside of the island with the lighthouse 1 3/4 miles off to port.  Once round the corner at noon,  the wind was now coming from behind, so dropped the main and ran with the full genoa alone.  We ran like this for six hours maintaining a good speed and were off the piers by 18.00.  The entrance to Aberystwth with the on shore wind and swell made it difficult but once inside you take a sharp turn to port and into the river which is very shallow in parts and we were alongside the No.67 pontoon at 18.45.  Travelled 60 miles in under twelve hours from berth to berth at an average of 5.2 knots, a very good passage.

Ashore to Weatherspoon's for a meal and then the Varsity pub on the way back we got lost and asked some students the way to the marina.  They gave us the wrong directions so we arrived back after midnight cold and tired.

Caernarfon - Wales - Days 50,51

Caernarfon - Saturday 25th June 2011 - Day 50

Bill went off to the shops and scouting for refreshment establishments while I continued to rest my foot and take the tablets.  In the Harbour Master's office discussed the sailing prospects which were not promising and during the night it was going to get very busy due to the arrival of a fleet of yachts who were taking part in the Three Peaks race.

This is an annual event, this year 32 yachts were taking part.  They start off in Barmouth in Cardigan Bay and race the boats to Caernarfon, on arrival two runners jump off the boat and run to the top of Snowdon and back again.  The yacht crew then set sail while the runners recover. Race yachts to Whitehaven, runners off and they run up and down Scafell in the Lake District.  Next stop Fort William and do the same up and down Ben Nevis.  End of race.  For both crews, sailors and runners it is an amazing event, obviously all very fit and it was a pleasure watching them arrive during the hours of darkness and by the morning they had all left.                                                    

In the evening we had been to My Harbour a bar/restaurant next to the marina for a very good meal.  Into town for the Black Boy pub which was very lively and to calm things down visited the Royal Welsh and Caernarfon Yacht clubs, where we were made most welcome.  The view from the castle balcony of the Royal Welsh across the Menai straits was very impressive.

Caernarfon - Sunday 26th June 2011 - Day 51                                                                                  

Awoken by the local lifeboat at 06.30 revving his engine with his attend inshore craft within the marina.  At 06.45 discussions with Harbour Master and decided to abort the sailing with head winds which would impede our progress down to Bardsley Island.                                                           

Caernafon Castle

 As it was a very pleasant sunny day, time out to be a tourist.  First it was into Weatherspoons for our Sunday lunch then a stroll around the town which was full of visitors.  The number of Welsh speakers was the most encountered with English very much the second language.  Wonderful to hear children playing in the park, enjoying themselves and talking in a language, I do not understand.  Wherever you go, firstly you are greeted in Welsh, a wonderful touch and long may this continue.  Back on board for the evening awaiting an early start next day.                             

                                                                  

                                                                                      

Holyhead to Caernafon - Day 49

Holyhead to Caernafon - Friday 24th June 2011 - Day 49

At 08.00 left marina and passed the pier head by 08.30, the North Stack lighthouse we passed futher to the north and missed the overfalls.  The even more impressive South Stack lighthouse situated on an island with access over a bridge to the cliff tops passed at 09.45, by this time we had full sail up.
We had a very good run down with a very favourable wind and arrived at the Menai Straits, Caernafon bar too early and waited for the tide.

This is a very tricky passage as at the entrance and you have to stay within the buoyed channel.  These are re-positioned every year as the very fast tide moves the sand and alters the channel. The marina is five miles up the Menai Strait and with a fast flowing flood tide the entrance is fairly narrow and has to be judged with care as the walls are not forgiving.  We were rafted up against two other yachts by 15.30 with castle as a backdrop and rain beginning to fall.
By 16.30, I was in the medical centre luckily at the other end of the marina.  The doctor pronounced acute gout and gave me a prescription for a bucket load of tablets and informed the cause can be brought on by tomatoes.  First time I heard this one, as I eat tomatoes like sweets and have them everyday but not now.  Hobbled to the chemist in castle square where the pharmicist gave more good information on the treatment of gout.
Into Weatherspoons for a meal and orange before returning to the yacht club next to the marina, where we were made most welcome.
The rain never stopped from our arrival and it lashed down during the night.