Yet more low pressure

General synopsis: A deep atlantic low will move Northwest to be off the West coast of Scotland by 13:00 tomorrow. A new deep atlantic low expected off the West coast of Ireland by same time.

It seems to have been like that for weeks. We didn't expect to sail then, but there was plenty of work to be done on Ishtar, so we spent a couple of days aboard.

Sunday night was windy and wet, but as I called in to the Mackeral stage at Milford to pick Louise up on Monday, it was looking much better. Low water though, so we had to be careful. I'd not seen the foul ground to the East end of the pontoon before, but won't forget it:

[caption id="attachment_224" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Foul ground near Mackeral stage, Milford"][/caption]

I'd noticed a crack in the 'rudder head' on Ishtar (The bit that connects the tiller to the rudder shaft). Couldn't buy a new one, but a firm in Pembroke could make us one if we took the boat there. We tried, but there was a fishing boat tied up on the pontoon outside Pembroke Haven yacht club, so we'd have to come back. Nice sail down to Dale for the evening.

Red and green peppers in a sweet chili sauce with basmati rice. Sunset, average. Only two other boats on the pontoon. One fella from Lawrenny who'd been out of the Haven. He'd decided that discretion was the better part of valour, after taking a beating in the winds.

The forecast on Tuesday morning was even worse. Force 5-7, possibly 8 later. We headed for Pembroke to see if we could get our repair sorted. The squalls and heavy showers gave Milford haven a brooding appearance:

[caption id="attachment_219" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Tug and Texaco"][/caption]

The wind brought the sailing boats out though. Didn't see these guys raise a sail as they set off down river:

[caption id="attachment_225" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Wooden sailing ship near Milford"][/caption]

But these folk were enjoying the sunshine a bit later:

[caption id="attachment_221" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Gaff.......?"][/caption]

We met the engineer at Pembroke - he could make the part, about two weeks. Louise and Tigger wanted to pose

[caption id="attachment_223" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Windswept and interesting. But which is which?"][/caption]

Great game of 'chicken' getting under the Cleddau bridge. Swirling currents, too with the big tides.

[caption id="attachment_220" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Cleddau bridge. Rush hour."][/caption]

 

Both sails up and the engine, but still only just making three knots against the current. Swans can do about 2.5, I guess.

[caption id="attachment_226" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="2.5 knots S.O.G. (Swans over ground)"][/caption]

Oh yeah, changed the hinges on the cockpit locker. Can't resist a bit of 316 in the sunshine:

[caption id="attachment_222" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Ain't they perty?"][/caption]

The afternoon sunshine was perfect for late August, but the increasing pitch of the wind and chop on the river told a different tale. Talking of different tails:

[caption id="attachment_227" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Tigger's Tunnel. Llangwm"][/caption]

 

Tiggers like boats, but you can't beat the real thing.

New Friends

Van the man got it right. Too late to stop now.

Spotted these whilst in Dale last week.

[caption id="attachment_204" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="When the summer time is gone......"][/caption]

The cold, dark nights won't be long, now.

Louise had do do a night shift but we could squeeze in a couple more days after that. So we did. Change of clothes, and back aboard Ishtar and down the river again.

[caption id="attachment_201" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="This morning's wet clothes drying in the afternoon sun"][/caption]

A lovely afternoon, and I really enjoyed tacking, fighting wind and tide to get to Dale. Took the best part of seven hours to sail when I could have motored it in three, but we are both still enjoying every moment with the sails up, and the haven is lovely.

[caption id="attachment_215" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Stack rock fort"][/caption]

We were headed for Castlebeach and a quiet night, but checked out the pontoon at Dale. Martyn and Sarah, aboard Hera of Cardiff and Gary, and his boat Renegade were there. Good company, so we tied up.

Took Tigger ashore and a brief jaunt up a hill behind Dale. Tigger chased his first rabbit. I think he was relieved that it ran away, I have no idea what whimpering wreck he would have been if it had taken him on.

Back to the pontoon, for some beers with new friends. Met John from Neyland, aboard his Snapdragon 'Zebedee' and a couple from St Davids on their Nicholson 38. A very friendy place, Dale pontoon.

Martyn was stalking the pontoon, boathook in hand with a 3ft piece of line and a hook, determined to get a Grey Mullet. He did too, got 2 in fact.

The following morning, we'd hoped to get out to Skomer, but the forecast was bad, and it was already blowing a Southerly, force5. Gary cooked the mullet in olive oil and herbs de provence, served with fresh vegetables and herbs from his garden.

[caption id="attachment_200" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Gary, Renegade and herbs."][/caption]

 

I was stunned how good the fish was, and how well it was cooked.

Louise and I had to get back, so we told the others we were heading up river. They'd come too. There followed a cracking sail from Dale to Llangwm. Louise sailed Ishtar all the way alone, and did a very good job. First time, and we almost picked up the mooring without starting the engine had a rogue gust not appeared.

[caption id="attachment_199" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Martyn and Sarah, aboard Hera, near Neyland"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_203" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Renegade, and a tender that deserves that name"][/caption]

Gary took Renegade past us and did a beautiful job of sailing upwind and against a 3 knot tide back to our mooring, had the tender not decided to catch itself on another mooring.

Tea and Penguin biscuits enjoyed by all before Louise and I headed back to Bridgend. Enjoyed by all, apart from Tigger, that is, who feels that all of the penguins on the boat belong to him, and were not really for sharing.

Gary, Martyn and Sarah were to spend the night anchored at Llangwm, Louise and I both wish we were still there with them. Nice to make new friends.

A week on Ishtar with Tigger

Not much on, workwise. We were heading home from a weekend diving at St Davids when I decided to do a bit of sailing. Louise dropped me off at Black Tar and headed off for her night shift. I got Ishtar ready and headed down the river. Anchored at Castlebeach, near Dale.

When I awoke in the morning, I knew it was the right thing to do.

[caption id="attachment_171" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Early morning from Castlebeach"][/caption]

I'd arranged to meet Louise at the Mackeral stage, Milford. She had not slept, so would be tired. Well, that was the theory. Tigger waited, drooling at the thought of the promised mackeral.

[caption id="attachment_184" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Hope, or expectation?"][/caption]

Tesco's value meaty chunks, again then, Tigger.

Met a couple of guys from Cardiff Yacht club at Dale pontoon. A beer and off to bed. Louise fancied the islands on Tuesday, so we set off early:

[caption id="attachment_172" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Dale pontoon and the Griffin"][/caption]

We made better time than expected on our way to Skokholm, so stopped off at South Haven, Skomer, for lunch. A beautiful anchorage, if a little crowded. No complaints, though. How could you?

[caption id="attachment_173" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Near South Haven, Skomer"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_174" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Halcyon of Cardiff."][/caption]

Louise wanted to circumnavigate Skokholm. When she realised that her careful planning and tacking would take us around, she was quite smug

[caption id="attachment_175" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Louise at Skokholm"][/caption]

I've always loved this view of Skokholm light from the South, with the Sun on it.

[caption id="attachment_176" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Skokholm light. South side"][/caption]

And back in to the Haven, passing St Anne's head light on the way, the head itself, quite benign in the afternoon sun, calm seas and light breezes.

[caption id="attachment_177" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="St Anne's head"][/caption]

Watwick bay looked crowded as we passed. I headed back to Milford, dropped Louise off and then back to Dale. A couple of beers with the Cardiff boys, to celebrate one of summer's memorable days.

Wednesday was poor, with rain and strong winds. I did sail a bit, but decided to return to Castlebeach and take Tigger ashore. He is getting happier aboard, and walks about below now, even when well heeled. He used to hide in a bunk. He loves seeing the dinghy being pumped though, and insists on sitting in it, even when half inflated. A poor day, but as so often in Pembrokeshire, a lovely evening.

[caption id="attachment_180" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Evening sun, Ishtar"][/caption]

And a lovely morning.

[caption id="attachment_178" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Early morning, Castlebeach."][/caption]

Picked my way through the leisure craft, tankers, tugs, pilot boats and ferries that ply their trade in Milford Haven. Passed under the Cleddau bridge, where the river, proper, begins, and was treated to this view of a much more attractive craft.

[caption id="attachment_179" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Yacht, near Lawrenny"][/caption]

The wind strengthened during the night and Castlebeach was uncomfortable. We anchored near the beach, in the North corner. Looking at it from the cliff tops, I could see that, even in a SouthWesterly, some swell gets into that corner, whereas in the Southwestern corner, it was flat. Next time........

Took Tigger ashore at Dale. Louise did a marvellous job of mooring in this tiny gap. There were a few ashore who were waiting to grin at her when she failed. They slunk off.

[caption id="attachment_190" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Room for a small one."][/caption]

She really does handle Ishtar so well under power.

The forecast was for SW Force 6, gusting force 7. Rightly or wrongly, I wanted to try a sail. I could always head back to the pontoon at Dale if it got too rough, and I felt safe as long as we stayed in the Haven. It was rough, for us, anyway. 6.5 knots on half Genoa alone.

We crossed to the South Hook oil terminal and back in the driving rain. Stunned to see divers on the wreck of the Dakotian in 3m swells. I was pleased we'd sailed. Ishtar felt at home, and experience buliding, a step at a time is what Louise and I are looking for.

[caption id="attachment_191" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Lovely day."][/caption]

We met yet more people from Cardiff later, a few drinks in Dale yacht club and off to bed. They had a blue inflatable tender. Tigger took exception to it, perhaps seeing it as a threat to our own ageing grey Avon. He barked at it for several minutes, but it would not back down. He loves our tender, and will do anything to protect it.

Sunday dawned, and we left Dale pontoon to head for home.

Passed the Milford Haven Port Authority headquarters, located on the North side of the river between Milford and Gelliswick. I mention it as it is worth watching. The sea wall in the picture is a mooring place for pilot boats, and they can creep up on unsuspecting yachtspeople with alarming speed........

[caption id="attachment_212" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Milford Haven Port Authority"][/caption]

We left the pontoon under Sail and did not switch on the engine until we got to Lawrenny, and even then only to call in for fuel.

This was a bit of a nightmare. We radioed ahead but still had to wait 20 minutes whilst a motor cruiser tried to secure their tender. This would have been fine, except that it was running like a train, and blowing, and tight for space.

[caption id="attachment_208" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Lawrenny, fuel station"][/caption]

The motor cruiser to the right is at the fuel station. When we finally got in, there were ropes dangling down to tie on to. Our long mooring lines were a bit much. The lady on the pontoon suggested we tie on with string. With the echo sounder showing that we were 10cm into the mud, we decided to give it up as a bad lot.

On balance, it would have been nice to sail from Dale pontoon to our mooring at Llangwm without using the engine at all, something I will try if I get a chance.

A lovely week, if tiring. Must find some more time this summer, before it's over. Once it starts, naturally.

Oh, and Tigger passed his Day skipper course, too. I have a video somewhere of him tying a bowline, it's awesome.

Long weekend. Bad weather forecast.

The British summer. Another weekend, another low pressure system. Oh, well, in the haven, there's always a chance to hide somewhere. We arrived at Llangwm about midday. Applied some sikaflex and fibreglass to Tom, our old tender, and the leak was reduced to a dribble. In fact, after the weekend, all that was inside was what had fallen from the sky - result!

Set off down the river, sunny spells and very little wind:

[caption id="attachment_111" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Sailing down the Cleddau"][/caption]

As we passed under the Cleddau bridge, we had about 15 knots from the West, against the outgoing tide. Still, not unpleasant. Picked up the weather forecast as we passed Milford, the 'West backing Southerly 3-4' had become 'South or South Easterly 5-7'. We had planned to anchor at Castlebeach, but headed for the pontoon at Dale. The sailing club were racing.

[caption id="attachment_112" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Dale sailing club, dinghy race."][/caption]

If anything, the wind lessened, and we were treated to a stunning sunset:

[caption id="attachment_113" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Sunset, Dale."][/caption]

The wind did get up during the night, and was blowing strongly by the time we left the pontoon. We'd arranged to meet friends at Neyland for the weekend, so needed to head up the haven. The swell from the South was about 2m, so Louise suggested we get some practise in the strong winds:

[caption id="attachment_133" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Louise enjoying a sail"][/caption]

She sailed well, and we enjoyed it. Headed for Gelliswick pontoon for a rest and coffee, but there were waves bouncing it all over. The mackeral stage was worse, and I turned Ishtar away 5m from it, and almost couldn't make way against the wind. A later radio broadcast said there were 35mph gusts. We did manage to moor at Neyland yacht haven, but the wind nearly slammed us into another boat. A cup of hot chocolate and a baguette as we met Sheila and Vince. With winds over 30 knots and horizontal rain, it was great to see Vince's optimism as he strode across the carpark in his shorts.

We still felt it was worth a sail up the river, and the rain eased enough for a pleasant afternoon.

[caption id="attachment_114" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Louise and Sheila, near Lawrenny."][/caption]

We dropped Sheila and Vince off at Neyland and headed back up river to our mooring. Prawn Dopiaza with all the trimmings, including freshly cooked parathas, prepared by Louise as I helmed in the drizzle and winds. I fell asleep early, fearing that we would spend the next two days hiding with our hoods up.

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I awoke at 06:30. No sound. Hey, the wind has gone. We set off at 07:00, freshly brewed coffee in hand, and renewed hope that we could pick up our friends on the Mackeral stage at Milford, and get off again. The sun even tried to break through as we passed under the Cleddau bridge:

[caption id="attachment_117" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Early morning, Cleddau bridge."][/caption]

We picked Sheila and Vince up and set off for Watwick bay, sun and 15 knots of wind, tacking our way. A very pleasant sail, and all of us afraid to speak of our fortune, given the weather the previous day, and the forecast.

[caption id="attachment_119" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Vince, Sheila and Louise, off watwick bay."][/caption]

We could see the swells still breaking in Watwick, so breakfasted at Castlebeach. More coffee, hot buttered crumpets and dark chocolate kitkats. The weather continued to improve as we upped anchor and headed for Dale.

Managed to squeeze on to the end of the pontoon with 1m water under us. The pontoon was full of children fishing, and other boats with far less depth requirements, all concentrated where we wanted to be.

[caption id="attachment_122" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Dale pontoon"][/caption]

We called in the 'chandlers' for some lubrication for the engine:

[caption id="attachment_121" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Chandlers, Dale"][/caption]

Despite the tribulations of the previous couple of days, Vince failed to convince Tigger to take solace in alcohol:

[caption id="attachment_123" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Don't do it, Tigger"][/caption]

Tigger went for an icecream, and we threw sticks into the sea for Louise and Sheila to fetch. Or maybe the other way around, I can't remember much about it.

A glorious sail back up to Milford. We had a berth at the marina and Sheila and Vince headed off to their B&B after a great meal and a few beers.

[caption id="attachment_124" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Evening sun, Milford marina"][/caption]

Sheila kindly saved Tigger a large chunk of Sirloin, and I saved him a piece of haddock. 'Surf and turf', Ishtar style. It was the least we could do after leaving him to guard the boat.

[caption id="attachment_138" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Beware of the dog"][/caption]

Milford marina was lovely. They have a period of 'free flow' leading up to high water, when the lock gates are open, and periods of 'access' when you can get in, and 'exit' when you can get out, either side of that. 2009 times are here:

http://www.mhpa.co.uk/content.asp?article_id=1720&directory_id=16&d=98

It cost us about £18 for Ishtar's 8.5m, and the showers, water etc was free. Electricity was extra, but we did not hook up.

Milford Marina

Nice view over the marina from the nearby Harbourmaster pub.

[caption id="attachment_124" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Evening sun, Milford marina"][/caption]

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Sunday morning. We locked out at 07:50, and picked Sheila and Vince up at the Mackeral stage.

[caption id="attachment_126" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Mackeral stage, Milford"][/caption]

In the above picture, you can see the pontoon of the Mackeral stage, plus the area of free parking nearby. A great place for changing crew. On Saturday we just tied up, but I heard another boat call the pierhead and ask for permission before mooring later, so on Sunday we radioed for permission as well.

Another cracking sailing day, with one short shower.  We briefly looked into Sandy Haven, before anchoring off at Langoar bay from the Westerly winds. Coffee and english muffins. Louise acted as chef, as well as helming. Vegetarian bacon with ketchup for myself, Vince had scrambled eggs.

Louise had wanted to sail into Pennar gut, up the haven, to check out it's suitability as a future anchoring spot. The echo sounder showed 4m on the way into the gut, but Crow pool, beyond, showed 8m, ideal, although the lowish geography surrounding it would suggest that it could be uncomfortable in strong winds. This was on the way in:

[caption id="attachment_147" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Pennar gut, entrance"][/caption]

We're getting used to the haven now, and the shipping movements. We monitor channel 12 at all times, as well as 16. The only one that really worries, though, is the Isle of Innishmore, the Irish ferry. We hear her calling in as she passes Skokholm island, and then she's behind us in the haven.

[caption id="attachment_163" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Irish Ferry"][/caption]

High up near the bows in that photo is a Rib. When she had moored up, they lowered it down and it hared around Pembroke for half an hour. No idea why.

We popped into Pennar gut for a look at Crow pool on the way back on Sunday. Looks ok to anchor. Apparently, you can get to pembroke and stay in a pool there if the tides are right. We must check this out.

Finally made it to the Jolly Sailor at Burton on Sunday afternoon. Too late for food, but they kindly made us some sandwiches. Pity about the jet skiers, but nice all the same.

[caption id="attachment_129" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Ishtar at the Jolly Sailor"][/caption]

Back up the river to Llangwm. Tom performed well ferrying Sheila, Vince, Tigger and all our junk ashore. We dropped our friends off at Milford and all set off East, tired but very content after a great weekend.