Add to this a few depressions, bringing wind and rain, and when you do, finally get a chance to get out of the boat, the social side of your life seems to throw its own hat into the ring to stop even that.
We were away for three days this weekend, and sailed for a grand total of around 40 minutes. Work that out...........
So, anyway. As part of some future plans, we had both, some years back, tried kayaking. It was something I'd enjoyed but Louise less so. After a brief paddle on the Neath canal a week or so back, however, she decided she wanted to give it another try, and bought a cheap plastic boat from the Freeads. So we had to try that out.
Friday was spent paddling about in the salt marshes, near Dale, in the pouring rain. Tigger seemed to enjoy it, bounding around, swimming out to us and back ashore again. Louise even tried her hand at some white water stuff, well, sort of, as the ebbing tide rushed over some stepping stones used to cross the marsh:
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Kayak"]
[/caption]One consolation. As we loaded the kayaks back onto the top of the car, I thought I saw a small dinghy fall over on the beach. As I rushed to its rescue, I bumped into its owner
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Martin"]
[/caption]We got chatting and he turned out to be a very interesting gentleman indeed. Hailing from the South Coast, he'd towed his little craft up and sailed it from Dale every day. He also cycled, all over Pembrokeshire, and has done so for many years it seems. He told me one story of heading along the coast towards Tenby and becoming becalmed, managing to get ashore and sleep in the boat overnight until there was enough wind to get him back - a real character. We spoke of many things, including wildlife and archeology, before it was time for us to leave. I hope we bump into him again - I won't forget him. His name was Martin, too!
So, out to Ishtar. A bit of maintenence on the mooring, and then a quick sail before I'd drop the anchor and listen to the Wales v England rugby game on the radio. I'd then planned a longer run, out towards St Govan's head. I didn't mind if we got back after dark - I was itching to get out on the boat.
Even those plans were scuppered. The mooring took far longer than I'd anticipated to change a chain and rope tail. I did enjoy the rugby at least. Just after the final whistle, which saw Wales win 19-9, I upped the main and sailed off the mooring.
And bumped into some friends from Cardiff, John and Margot, a couple of musicians, on their aptly named sloop, Alegria.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Alegria"]
[/caption]A quick chat on the VHF and it turned out that they, and a few other friends, were down for the night and heading to Dale yacht club for a meal and a few drinks and would we join them. Ah well, we could sail tomorrow.......
I did go out for a short sail, only as far as West Angle bay and back, but even then I had to run the engine on the way back - one of the battery contacts on our solar panel had become disconnected, and the auxilliary batteries were down.
Having said all that, we had a great time over a few beers later, and I truly can't remember what I was explaining to Dave (Caswyn) in this picture.....
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Dale yacht club"]
[/caption]I think I remember getting back to Ishtar, and vaguely recall grumbling from my bunk to Louise to please fish more quietly - she had no luck with the bass, either way.
Sunday morning. Overcast, but with all the signs of brightening up. Westerly wind, force 4. Perfect for sailing. John and Margot on Alegria, and Viv and Richard aboard Rhiannon had left just after 07:00, to catch slack water in Jack Sound. The way my head felt, I was glad we'd not decided to join them. I make a point, on diving trips, not to have a drink if the diving looks to be good. I've never been able to drink, although I do love a beer. I was in no fit state to go for a sail, and really didn't fancy it either, so, with just 40 minutes with the sails up all weekend, we headed home.
Surely there must be some fun to be had before Autumn comes in properly?
