Vince and I joined Allan. aboard his beautiful Westerly 33, Chausey. Thermals on, kettle on, we left the pontoon and headed for the barrage. It just lifts you to be sailing, even as we crossed the bay, the smiles started.
We locked out with another club boat, Rhiannon, whose captain and crew also seemed buoyed by the great winter sun.
We were asked to avoid the dredger working in the outer harbour. She was tightly squeezed in, and we saw her later, heading out into the channel to dispose of the ever present Cardiff mud.
as soon as we passed the Outer Wrach buoy we raised sail and headed NorthEast. Chausey eased over and was soon zipping through the water with the remains of the flood. We chatted and laughed.
From a boat out in the channel, you cam look across at Cardiff. A beautiful city with a recognisable skyline. Rather be out here though, than packed into the shops.
We had planned to head towards Newport, but were enjoying ourselves so much that we went South of the Welsh grounds and headed across towards teh English grounds. I helmed, Chausey easily controlled by her wheel in the flat sea. We felt the tide turn and knew we would need to head back soon if we were to avoid low water at the barrage.
Light winds, so Allan readied the crusing chute.
The wind dying all the while it was good that the tide ebbed out of the channel, draing us back towards Cardiff. The dredger left the harbour as Allan served up some delicious warming pea soup:
All too soon we were back at the barrage and, not long after, tied up on the pontoon. Into the bar for some well earned beer.
Winter sailing. Can't beat it. can you?
