We set off after some hot coffee around 07:30, passing Dale Fort in the early morning sunshine.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Dale Fort"]
[/caption]We got the sails up before rounding St Anne's head. Decided to go well to the West, then run North, past Skokholm and Skomer, before turning into St Brides bay and heading for Solva.
The wind was variable, but we did manage to get the cruising chute up for an hour as we approached Skokholm.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Skokholm"]
[/caption]I'd already adjusted for the watchfulness one has to have when in major port like Milford, and that includes maintaining a radio watch. It's not just in the Haven you have to be on your guard, though:
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Close shave"]
[/caption]As we turned NorthWest from North, heading across the jewelled waters of St Brides bay, a nice Westerly sprang up, and we scythed along through the waters at better than 6 knots, with the tide. Then, halfway across the bay, a 180 degree swing in the wind in about 30 seconds, falling in strength as it did so. I could see solva ahead, partially hidden by the island of Green Scar.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Solva, behind Green Scar"]
[/caption]We cut in between Green Scar and a smaller rock called The Mare, an excellent dive site, dodging lobster pots, enjoying the view.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Green Scar, with Black Scar (left)"]
[/caption]Tom Bennett's 'Sea guide to Pembrokeshire' suggests passing to the East of Black rock (with an iron post on top) when entering Solva. There was little swell as we approached, but the entrance did seem narrow:
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Black rock and Solva"]
[/caption]Pretty soon we were in, the temperature rocketed in this little sun trap of a harbour. We slowlymotored up towards Solva yacht club, but when I reached 0.2m under the keel I gave up.
As we turned to leave the Harbourmaster called us on the radio. He suggested we'd be fine on a visitor's mooring for an hour or so. We pulled one up, to find a strong stern line and one for the Bows. We tied up and switched the engine off. Tea, cakes and sandwiches were rustled up by Louise.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Mooring boys, looking out of Solva"]
[/caption]Anthony, the Harbourmaster pulled over in a boat that he had borrowed. A very helpful chap, he offered to move some boats for us if we wanted to spend the night leaning against the wall. We thanked him, but explained we were having a lift home the following day and needed to return to Milford that night.
As we left Solva, we had nearly three hours to cross the 7 or so miles to Jack Sound for slack water. I put the sails up, set up the autopilot and sat in the bows, watching the water drift slowly by as we hurtled along at 2 1/2 knots. It was so lovely to sail at that speed, and just let the boat sail herself.
Louise took us through Jack Sound and we were back at Dale, tied up on the mooring by about 18:30. A beautiful day.
