Louise missed the previous weekend, so was dead keen to go and try and have a nice weekend this one. Tigger rather fancied the curry.
He soon changed his mind. A short sail across to Watchhouse bay and we anchored up. Louise deposited a dancing Tigger in the Dinghy and set off for the beach:
Great fun was had, Tigger swimming after sticks. Louise joined in when they got back to the boat. It looked freezing.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Nice In?"]
[/caption]It wasn't long before the shadows lengthened and we headed back to the mooring for another wonderful sunset and a glass of beer:
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Dale Sunset"]
[/caption]The following day and strong winds again. Louise wanted to do some shopping so we headed up to Milford, not making quite so much speed as some of the racing fleet.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Racing"]
[/caption]The day pretty much ended there. Our mainsheet, which had been slipping for a while, resolutely refused to hold the sail in the strong winds. We tied up on the Mackeral stage, Louise did her shopping and then we headed back to Dale, for some repairs.
I can't splice braided line, so it was out with the needle, cotton and some whipping twine. Louise did a lovel job, and a late evening sail proved it was strong enough.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="New mainsheet"]
[/caption]The following day looked more promising. We left the mooring early, with a view to a sail up the river and back:
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Early morning, Dale."]
[/caption]We stopped off at the pontoon to scrape off some of some of the weed that was growing on Ishtar's hull. Louise and I spent half an hour with a couple of oars, which was surprisingly effective. I took this picture, not noticing somone else helping us.....
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Hungry?"]
[/caption]Louise took us up the Haven, under the Cleddau bridge and up the river, sailing, then motoring when the wind died.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Louise"]
[/caption]Picked up a mooring at Llangwm and went ashore. Someone was enjoying themselves:
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="I'm happy"]
[/caption]The pair of them went ashore on the pretense of picking blackberries. They came back with 4. Took some nice pictures though.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Ishtar, from Llangwm"]
[/caption]They were soon on their way back out, Tigger in the bows, watching out for sticks.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Keeping an eye out"]
[/caption]I waited on the boat, admiring the scenery and some welcome sunshine on this early autumn day:
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Watching"]
[/caption]A nice relaxing sail back down th eriver, the evening sun highlighting some of Milford's industry
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Tanker"]
[/caption]and great beauty
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Castlebeach bay"]
[/caption]We witnessed a near miss as we approached Dale, the two skippers staring at each other like something out of a spaghetti western:
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Plenty of room"]
[/caption]Tied up at the pontoon at Dale. A bit early for the Griffin, sadly, so Louise took the opportunity to test some cake from the cafe. I remembered the owners from 'The Lobster Pot' at Marloes, many years back. They were impressed I remembered them.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Tigger, Louise and carrot cake"]
[/caption]
