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]----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
