Post by annabel on Sept 29, 2016 10:11:36 GMT 1
This is summer 2016.
Plan A was to go to Ireland and sail around it clockwise but that plan is looking unlikely. The winds may not be gale force, but several strong wind warnings are reported by the met office. There was a mythical high pressure ridge which sent the barometer up to 2030mB but no sunshine and blue sky.
We hopped down the Bristol Channel stopping at Cardiff Bay then Tenby for a few days where a PYSC sailor is taking part in Tenby SC regatta in his 'Osprey'. We find this bay delightful but did not take part in their cruiser race round Caldey Island despite an invitation to do so.
Milford Haven called and we motor-sailed to Dale bay where we found ourselves next to Cardiff yacht, Volition, who offered use of their mooring when they were not there. After a poor forecast we go up to Miford Haven Marina on the next tide as the wind rises again. We visit the local Tesco and the metropolis of Haverfordwest by bus. The out of town shopping area is a brisk walk from the historic town, “there is a Marks and Spencer” we are told by a Milford local! We ‘do’ the old town and museum then walk to some old Abbey ruins. They are huge, what politics saved St David's over this you ask? I suspect it was the popes recommendation that two visits to St Davids equals one to Jerusalem. They had the bones of the saint under the alter, you cannot do better than that.
Having tried unsuccessfully to visit St. David’s by public transport from Milford we took KSII around to Solva and took the ground against the wall with a plank. The bus into St David’s was straight forward and we visited a couple of times whilst in Solva. The cathedral was built on a sloping site and poor ground, the medieval roof too heavy and nave too wide. A lighter roof was put on though the pillars are still splayed out at the top from the weight. This is a lovely peaceful valley spot. The cathedral as it is today mainly a 20th century work of renovation. The walls of the huge Bishop’s palace stand open to the sky with no roof on them. There are thoughts of replacing this we are told during our guided walk with a Welsh National Park ranger.
We had walked to the futuristic Welsh national park visitors centre, where our group was met by a ranger and taken around St Davids. He entertained us with plant names in the hedgerow, pineapple weed, pennywart or navalwart. He showed us some well designed new properties and opinions were sought regarding other strange earlier developments, now listed! The authorities difficulties balancing conflicting stakeholders was outlined. Removal of trees that are bat habitat, but blocking local residents house views was one.
Finally a weather window opened to cross the St George’s channel. We required a low water start so had to anchor the boat at high water behind Black Rock at the entrance to Solva overnight and set off later. The sea is very rough out between the island's of Skokholm, Skomer and Grassholm with not a lot of wind. We turned back at one point but decided the return would be just as difficult now so on we went towards Arklow. The wind steadily moved aft and the only thought was to arrive in daylight. This proved easy, also the river entry was easy. Kerry and Judy on Sarapat arrived an hour after us and also moored on the river pontoon behind us.
A good rest was taken by all. The annual Arklow Seabreeze festival was being held and Judy and Kerry went to watch the Pig Derby which we did not see (although we saw the pigs being delivered, very cute) as it conflicted with the Pipe and Drum marching band competition we went to watch. It was really an excuse for a spot of Irish gambling to pick the winner. The evening bands playing on lorries were a bit of a let down, loud but not brilliant and no ‘Irish’ music .
Sailed north up the coast to Greystone’s where there is a new small marina accessible at all tides. The tide ranges are not high here. This marina is a great amenity providing both dinghy and larger boat facilities. The area is a middle class suburb of Dublin which is very accessible using the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) line. From here we sailed to Howth (pronounced hoot, by some ) a very active huge Marina and moorings run by the Howth Sailing Club. Offshore they have a well sheltered large shallow sailing area with fixed racing marks.
North again we come to Carlingford Lough with a dual entrance choice from the sea and potentially treacherous rocks, The Breast, Haulbowline and Morgan Pladdy to avoid. This entrance is also used by commercial vessels. Inside there are more rocks to be aware of. An Irish sailor warned me ‘don’t take short cuts when you can see the marina, follow the channel I hit a rock there’. The marina looks a little ramshackle with rebar sticking out of the top of it’s walls. With our bilge keels we could have sat against the walls of the old drying harbour right next to Carlingford town (we carry a plank) but showers, toilets, Wi Fi and electric hookup usually win out. Our cockpit view is of the Cooley mountains to the south and ‘where the mountains of Mourne go down to the sea’ to the north, remember the song? Its great but they deliver clouds and mist a lot of the time. Very hospitable staff here with a hospitality room on the first floor and free coffee/tea making facilities. The marina here is a only a short walk from the small town which has only one provisions shop but plenty of eateries. Carlingford is alive on a weekend as it has a special claim to fame as the hen/stag night capital of Ireland!! North of this lough is a foreign land, the United Kingdom. We took a bus to the metropolis of Newry where we had to get ££s from an ATM to buy coffee and lunch, forgetting the currency difference. Newry has a shopping mall and an M&S. As with other towns in this history and religion obsessed Island it’s full of churches. There is a waterway to it’s centre which is still navigable though the leisure boats moored there didn’t look as if they ever moved.
We escaped from foggy Carlingford up the coast again to Ardglass, chosen as the next port for it’s easy access to the sea. The fishing fleet that works from here probably has the same idea. The port consists of two basins, one is the marina the other the fishing harbour. Mooring up to a pontoon we were informed they were short staffed and should pay via envelope pushed through the office door if nobody was available when we left. We bought a can of fuel here from the bulk supply company next door, 20 litres for £10. Not a large place, it had a well stocked hardware store and adequate shops. We had coffee in Doyles on the quay just outside the marina.
We have our destination in sight now the marina at Carrickfergus in Belfast lough. It is a local authority run concern and the reception staff very helpful and hospitable, suggesting that if we plan to stay more than two weeks it’s cheaper to pay for a month, which we do. The sun is shining if still a little breezy and we took the fast comfortable train along the coast to Whitehead a small village East of us on the north coast of Belfast lough. You pass the power station, big stack medium output. Built by Kennedy and Donkin, it is fired by coal and oil but not allowed to burn 100% coal! Then you pass the rock salt mine 30000 tons per week we read, American owned? It extends miles under ground and out into the Lough. It's not on Google maps I noted, strategic asset? The entrance is a long slope apparently. There is a tiny harbour along the way called Whitehaven and a number of terminal piers into the lough for coal, oil and salt loading to and from coastal cargo vessels.
At Whitehead we had coffee then walked out to the lighthouse on the cliffs passing where there was once a small port called Port Davey. It had a breakwater, the stone of which was used to build the present footpath under the cliffs. There are bus shelter type rain refuges along the path. We returned to Whitehead via a small road which passes the golf club. We looked in at the railway preservation society but it was closed for works. They have 6 steam locos in sheds, all funded by the EU rural development fund.
Day before arrival of grandsons into Belfast International airport, not too much wind so after showers we set off for Belfast Marina an hour or so up the Lough. We checked ship movements, most are at mid-day on it said. In practice a Stenna line ferry, the Mersey did come out past us. We reported to port control on channel 12 they said keep a listening watch on this channel. The water outside the dredged channel gets very shallow as you get closer to Belfast, so you have to share the water with large vessels who make large wakes. At the Marina there is plenty of choice of berths. We choose a vacant finger and moor up. The Marina here is park and pay at a machine to exit and use facilities, you get the egress code if you pay.
Wednesday, up early and walk to bus station to collect William and Robin. We buy ticket for Open Top bus ride and alight at the nearest stop to the marina. Back at the boat refreshments are provided and the boys collapse, they can only stand a bit of adventure and it was a bit of an early start for them (0800 flight from Bristol.
Plan A was to go to Ireland and sail around it clockwise but that plan is looking unlikely. The winds may not be gale force, but several strong wind warnings are reported by the met office. There was a mythical high pressure ridge which sent the barometer up to 2030mB but no sunshine and blue sky.
We hopped down the Bristol Channel stopping at Cardiff Bay then Tenby for a few days where a PYSC sailor is taking part in Tenby SC regatta in his 'Osprey'. We find this bay delightful but did not take part in their cruiser race round Caldey Island despite an invitation to do so.
Milford Haven called and we motor-sailed to Dale bay where we found ourselves next to Cardiff yacht, Volition, who offered use of their mooring when they were not there. After a poor forecast we go up to Miford Haven Marina on the next tide as the wind rises again. We visit the local Tesco and the metropolis of Haverfordwest by bus. The out of town shopping area is a brisk walk from the historic town, “there is a Marks and Spencer” we are told by a Milford local! We ‘do’ the old town and museum then walk to some old Abbey ruins. They are huge, what politics saved St David's over this you ask? I suspect it was the popes recommendation that two visits to St Davids equals one to Jerusalem. They had the bones of the saint under the alter, you cannot do better than that.
Having tried unsuccessfully to visit St. David’s by public transport from Milford we took KSII around to Solva and took the ground against the wall with a plank. The bus into St David’s was straight forward and we visited a couple of times whilst in Solva. The cathedral was built on a sloping site and poor ground, the medieval roof too heavy and nave too wide. A lighter roof was put on though the pillars are still splayed out at the top from the weight. This is a lovely peaceful valley spot. The cathedral as it is today mainly a 20th century work of renovation. The walls of the huge Bishop’s palace stand open to the sky with no roof on them. There are thoughts of replacing this we are told during our guided walk with a Welsh National Park ranger.
We had walked to the futuristic Welsh national park visitors centre, where our group was met by a ranger and taken around St Davids. He entertained us with plant names in the hedgerow, pineapple weed, pennywart or navalwart. He showed us some well designed new properties and opinions were sought regarding other strange earlier developments, now listed! The authorities difficulties balancing conflicting stakeholders was outlined. Removal of trees that are bat habitat, but blocking local residents house views was one.
Finally a weather window opened to cross the St George’s channel. We required a low water start so had to anchor the boat at high water behind Black Rock at the entrance to Solva overnight and set off later. The sea is very rough out between the island's of Skokholm, Skomer and Grassholm with not a lot of wind. We turned back at one point but decided the return would be just as difficult now so on we went towards Arklow. The wind steadily moved aft and the only thought was to arrive in daylight. This proved easy, also the river entry was easy. Kerry and Judy on Sarapat arrived an hour after us and also moored on the river pontoon behind us.
A good rest was taken by all. The annual Arklow Seabreeze festival was being held and Judy and Kerry went to watch the Pig Derby which we did not see (although we saw the pigs being delivered, very cute) as it conflicted with the Pipe and Drum marching band competition we went to watch. It was really an excuse for a spot of Irish gambling to pick the winner. The evening bands playing on lorries were a bit of a let down, loud but not brilliant and no ‘Irish’ music .
Sailed north up the coast to Greystone’s where there is a new small marina accessible at all tides. The tide ranges are not high here. This marina is a great amenity providing both dinghy and larger boat facilities. The area is a middle class suburb of Dublin which is very accessible using the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) line. From here we sailed to Howth (pronounced hoot, by some ) a very active huge Marina and moorings run by the Howth Sailing Club. Offshore they have a well sheltered large shallow sailing area with fixed racing marks.
North again we come to Carlingford Lough with a dual entrance choice from the sea and potentially treacherous rocks, The Breast, Haulbowline and Morgan Pladdy to avoid. This entrance is also used by commercial vessels. Inside there are more rocks to be aware of. An Irish sailor warned me ‘don’t take short cuts when you can see the marina, follow the channel I hit a rock there’. The marina looks a little ramshackle with rebar sticking out of the top of it’s walls. With our bilge keels we could have sat against the walls of the old drying harbour right next to Carlingford town (we carry a plank) but showers, toilets, Wi Fi and electric hookup usually win out. Our cockpit view is of the Cooley mountains to the south and ‘where the mountains of Mourne go down to the sea’ to the north, remember the song? Its great but they deliver clouds and mist a lot of the time. Very hospitable staff here with a hospitality room on the first floor and free coffee/tea making facilities. The marina here is a only a short walk from the small town which has only one provisions shop but plenty of eateries. Carlingford is alive on a weekend as it has a special claim to fame as the hen/stag night capital of Ireland!! North of this lough is a foreign land, the United Kingdom. We took a bus to the metropolis of Newry where we had to get ££s from an ATM to buy coffee and lunch, forgetting the currency difference. Newry has a shopping mall and an M&S. As with other towns in this history and religion obsessed Island it’s full of churches. There is a waterway to it’s centre which is still navigable though the leisure boats moored there didn’t look as if they ever moved.
We escaped from foggy Carlingford up the coast again to Ardglass, chosen as the next port for it’s easy access to the sea. The fishing fleet that works from here probably has the same idea. The port consists of two basins, one is the marina the other the fishing harbour. Mooring up to a pontoon we were informed they were short staffed and should pay via envelope pushed through the office door if nobody was available when we left. We bought a can of fuel here from the bulk supply company next door, 20 litres for £10. Not a large place, it had a well stocked hardware store and adequate shops. We had coffee in Doyles on the quay just outside the marina.
We have our destination in sight now the marina at Carrickfergus in Belfast lough. It is a local authority run concern and the reception staff very helpful and hospitable, suggesting that if we plan to stay more than two weeks it’s cheaper to pay for a month, which we do. The sun is shining if still a little breezy and we took the fast comfortable train along the coast to Whitehead a small village East of us on the north coast of Belfast lough. You pass the power station, big stack medium output. Built by Kennedy and Donkin, it is fired by coal and oil but not allowed to burn 100% coal! Then you pass the rock salt mine 30000 tons per week we read, American owned? It extends miles under ground and out into the Lough. It's not on Google maps I noted, strategic asset? The entrance is a long slope apparently. There is a tiny harbour along the way called Whitehaven and a number of terminal piers into the lough for coal, oil and salt loading to and from coastal cargo vessels.
At Whitehead we had coffee then walked out to the lighthouse on the cliffs passing where there was once a small port called Port Davey. It had a breakwater, the stone of which was used to build the present footpath under the cliffs. There are bus shelter type rain refuges along the path. We returned to Whitehead via a small road which passes the golf club. We looked in at the railway preservation society but it was closed for works. They have 6 steam locos in sheds, all funded by the EU rural development fund.
Day before arrival of grandsons into Belfast International airport, not too much wind so after showers we set off for Belfast Marina an hour or so up the Lough. We checked ship movements, most are at mid-day on it said. In practice a Stenna line ferry, the Mersey did come out past us. We reported to port control on channel 12 they said keep a listening watch on this channel. The water outside the dredged channel gets very shallow as you get closer to Belfast, so you have to share the water with large vessels who make large wakes. At the Marina there is plenty of choice of berths. We choose a vacant finger and moor up. The Marina here is park and pay at a machine to exit and use facilities, you get the egress code if you pay.
Wednesday, up early and walk to bus station to collect William and Robin. We buy ticket for Open Top bus ride and alight at the nearest stop to the marina. Back at the boat refreshments are provided and the boys collapse, they can only stand a bit of adventure and it was a bit of an early start for them (0800 flight from Bristol.