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.
