It was a pleasant, quiet morning as we raised the sails and motored out of the waterway past the oil terminal. We followed the coast round, going between Skokholm and Grasholm. There wasn't enough wind to sail, but we attained ten knots with the help of some very fast tides. The sea was churned up and fairly random: it was a bumpy ride, but not too bad as we went by Skomer and St David's Head in company with the two aforementioned boats which were ahead of us picking their way through.
The crew took turns on watch as we crossed Cardigan Bay. Annoyingly the log (speedometer) wasn't working and the wind indicator was playing up. At least we had our speed over the ground from GPS. We were going fast until lunchtime. Eventually we overtook Witch and High Barbaree.
A short experiment demonstrated that there was no point in trying to sail without assistance from the engine.
We chatted as we progressed over a very calm Cardigan Bay.
Eventually it was sundown as we passed Bardsey Island and the Lleyn Peninsula.
Soon after it was moon rise. We got more help from the tide as we crossed Carnafon Bay towards Holyhead. It seemed like we had got the best of the tides at the start and end of the trip.
We rounded Holy Island in darkness at midnight, slowing to keep well clear of two inbound Dublin ferries. We hadn't really noticed the tide building against us. We could see Witch's lights a mile or so behind, but no sign of High Barbaree. We contacted Sue of the North Wales gaffers to advise our arrival time, but we were now making slow progress. The green light on the harbour wall seemed to remain resolutely distant, but we were getting there. Sue phoned to say the bar was going to stay open until 0200. Amazingly, and annoyingly, the log sprang back to life at the last minute. Eventually we turned the corner, got in the harbour, lowered the sails, raised the bowsprit, and picked our way through the moorings to the Holyhead Sailing Club pontoon, guided by swinging lanterns being displayed for our benefit. There were several N Wales gaffers waiting for us who helped us to moor. It was 0200. Witch had come in just after us, but there was no sign of High Barbaree. "They'll never get in against this tide," said a lugubrious voice pessimistically.
"The bar's still open," said Sue. Despite having had a 22 hour day we thought we'd go. We had a pint or two with the crew of Witch and the local gaffers.
I was wondering what would happen about High Barbaree when the radio behind the bar sprang into life. "Holyhead Marina, Holyhead Marina, this is High Barbaree, High Barbaree, we are just entering the harbour." They had arrived. The gaffer fleet was assembled in Holyhead.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Holyhead,
No comments:
Post a Comment