Should have learned that lesson last year, really. A couple of rough bouncy nights at Porlock would do the trick, you'd have thought......
Weather forecast North or Northwest 2-3 backing West or Southwest 3-4. Louise wanted to go to Caerbwdi. West would be OK, but Southwest meant the wind would get around into the bay. I figured we might tuck in close to the Western edge of the bay, under the low cliffs and avoid it. Wrong.
Left the same time as the Irish ferry and had a pretty good sail up past Skokholm and Skomer, into St Brides Bay. The wind died completely half way across, so I started the engine. After 15 minutes it cut out and would not restart.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Isle of Innishmore, off Skokholm"]
[/caption]Louise realised that the Diesel cut off had been left in the 'On' position when we left the boat last time, and she had switched it off instead of the other way around. No problems, I'd just bleed the system, pump the diesel and we'd be on our way.
The fuel lift pump on Ishtar is not powerful. And then some. An hour and a half of pumping left me with a blistered thumb and she still would not start. I'd bled and refilled the fuel system several times on Ishtar's 10HP Bukh, with no problems. This time she would not start. I searched all over the engine and eventually found another bleed point right at the back of the engine, almost hidden by a pipe. 10 minutes later we were on our way.
How else do you learn? You make mistakes, find yourself in a position where you are well outside your comfort zones and solve the problem or give up. The latter is not an option. Very annoying, especially when you fancy a quiet relaxing sail, but these things happen.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Ishtar at Caerbwdi"]
[/caption]1/2 an hour later we were at anchor in Caerbwdi. Louise took Tigger ashore, and great fun was had. Then curry was had then beer was had and a glass of wine before retiring.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="I like beaches"]
[/caption]The wind gradually picked up and backed all night. Being a light sleeper, I was not amused. I knew the Delta anchor was fine, but the banging and snatching was not really what I had in mind. We rose at 06:00 and set off back for Dale.
Louise sailed us back. Some big seas off Skomer as the wind built against the tide. Took Tigger ashore and tried a pint at the Griffin. Even that was miserable. The damp air had put most people off, and sitting in the beer garden in the rain was strangely unappealing. Met another Cardiff yacht club boat, Redeye, on the way back to the mooring. Told him to use Vince's mooring for the night.
Sunday was brighter. I changed the oil - the outstanding maintenance job. Met with Adam, and watermint for a coffee. A chat with Mike, aboard Redeye (a strangely apt name, after the previous night.....) and a bit of fishing,
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Fishing"]
[/caption]unsuccessful. Louise painted the cockpit floor with anitslip paint, finishing another job and we set off home in the car, taking Tigger for a walk on the beach before leaving.
Not much fun, really, but all part of the learning process. We don't live in the Med, so bad weather, tides, rain and doing your own maintenance is all part of the fun of owning a boat in UK waters.
