Captain's Log
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Passages, Photography and Pembrokeshire
Wednesday 28th April 2010
Who would have known that a volcano could cause so much disruption! Never mind hundreds of cancelled flights, Andrew was stuck in Norway and unable to get back for our proving trip from Cardiff to Milford Haven! The story is far too long to be written here, but a mammoth journey consisting of a train, 1600km in a car and then a ferry, a taxi and another car - undoubtedly sounds like an Indiana Jones Mission!
Anyway, with much excitement and minus Andrew, we left Cardiff Marina at 0730 bound for Rhossili Bay, only to find the rib in a mischievous mood unwilling to cooperate with Amanda. One quick radio call later and she was towed safely alongside and hoisted aboard (the rib… not Amanda) and we were cleared for lock entry. Exiting the lock at High water allowed us to punch the last half hour of flood tide and as we hoisted the staysail and unfurled the jib you could feel her kick up her heels, steady out and power through the short chop in her way. With Tommi at the helm I coordinated a fast mainsail hoist in Sully Bay and as we bore away on a port broad reach she really began to surge forward, making a steady 12+ knots boat speed. After a short stint inshore catching the last of the counter-current, we headed out further into the channel to make the most of the ebb tide flying past Swansea Bay, executing a perfect gybe just off West Helwick Cardinal and heading into Rhossili Bay. Our passage plan ETA was 1600 and the engine was turned off as we anchored on the 5m contour at 1555.
The next day saw a 9am start, and as we sailed off the anchorage with no help from the engine we once again felt her pick up her skirts and head west, inside the St. Gowan shoals and Turbot Bank. Milford Port Control offered us a friendly welcome and after anchoring for a short while in Sandy Haven Bay attempting to fix the rib, we departed for Milford Shelf, standing by waiting for the lock to open for a free-flow entry so that I could put Halcyon to bed alongside H Pontoon where she has inevitably drawn the crowds. Yet again.
The trip would not have been such a success without the help of our fantastic crew Tommi and his Mother, Neville and Chloe, and of course Amanda who never ceased to amaze with culinary delights morning, noon and night.
Our first charter out of Milford Haven was a photo shoot for Classic Boat Magazine. Look out for us in a June or July issue. What a gorgeous day for it too. Leaving the marina we headed for an anchorage in Sandy Haven Bay in blue waters and with a gentle north westerly breeze. With Emily shooting almost constantly and the champagne flowing, there were soon some very funny poses and sailing anecdotes. Then came the time to test the foul weather gear… never has a fire hose been used to make so many people cry with laughter. The laughter continued throughout the day. Anchoring in Watwick Bay for the evening and watching the clinker being rowed gracefully ashore was a sight to behold. Returning to the marina at dusk with a lovely ash-laden sunset backdrop was beautiful, and as soon as I had put the boat to bed Amanda and I joined Dan and the rest of the team for dinner, which turned out to be a side splitting experience as the jokes continued and everyone bounced off each other.
I am delighted to inform all of you that Jack Wilson, who was one of the models on this day has accepted our offer of a first mate's position aboard and joins us at the end of this month for the remainder of the season. For us, Jack was an obvious choice as on the photography day he was put through his paces on the boat, he made himself really useful and he has extensive experience on old classic vessels having worked on a Thames Barge for the last few years. He knows how to look after our grand lady in the style to which she has become accustomed.
The last weekend in April saw us have a short Saturday sail in a fresh south easterly breeze. Halcyon loved dancing along the small waves and after a fabulous reach out and back off the entrance to Milford Haven we returned to anchor in West Angle Bay for a delicious lunch before returning to drop guests at Milford shelf for a transfer to shore. Amanda and I anchored overnight at Sandy Haven Bay awaking to thick fog and a proposed trip up to Lawrenny under some jeopardy. However the fog lfted a little and with the rib still out of action I turned to the trusty outboard and ran cross to the Mackeral Stage in Halcyon's lovely clinker dinghy to pick up Andrew and Family/Guests. We departed in a blustery SW arriving just before a great Sunday lunch at anchor in Lawrenny. Departing while dessert was still being savoured below gave me a chance to get under the overhead power cables with room to spare and punch tide toward the marina. Halcyon behaved herself beautifully parking and we were alongside in time for guests to depart on a sunny Sunday evening.
This week we are prepping for our passage to Dublin, planned for Monday 3rd May, but with stiff northerlies forecast our plans may change.
Hoping the weather keeps improving with fair winds.
Simon