Out of the Harbour and Turn Right

By Howard and Mary Williams

Home

Preface

 Grangemouth to Whithorn Whithorn to Holyhead Holyhead to Milford Haven Milford Haven to The Scillies
Scillies to Dartmouth Dartmouth to Chichester Chichester to Ramsgate Ramsgate to Spurn Head

Spurn Head to Aberdour

 Appendices

Chapter 3 - Wales – Holyhead to Milford Haven

For explanations of pictures move mouse pointer over picture. To see thumbnail pictures in greater detail click on the pictures

Route Chart
Aberdaron

Day 20 Wednesday 31st May Holyhead to Fishguard - 97 NM

To make up for lost time we decided to try and make the whole trip from north to south Wales in one day, sailing with the southerly tide with the intent of making it around the Lleyn peninsular and into Aberdaron, the nearest convenient bay, to crash out for a couple of hours and wait for the tide to become favourable. It required us to leave at 0400, and although we had a much more comfortable night than the previous two, with the best intent it was 0425 when we finally slipped out moorings and, with relief, made it out into the open sea.

Although the wind was only a NW2 with the tide we easily made 6 knots but when this tailed off to just four we abandoned sail and started the engine, instantly making 7 knots. In some ways we should have tried for more speed to start with as we missed the tide in the channel between the Lleyn Peninsular headland and Bardsey Island, which was running very rapidly even though it had only turned 30 minutes prior to our arrival.

Against the tide we motored around to the south of Bardsey, contemplating for a while anchoring off the island, before eventually making it into the bay at 1200.  Aberdaron looks to be a super place, but we saw very little of it. 
Target Float

After lunch we crashed until 1400, before weighing anchor and and out into the tide again. With a NW 2 and a long way to go we used the motor for the rest of the trip. In some ways the journey across Cardigan bay was as eerie as the tip down the Clyde, as we only saw one “vessel” – the target boat for the local firing range – until we were close to Fishguard, when we saw a few fishing boats hugging the coast It was 2145 before we eventually anchored off the old harbour for the night. We slept very well.

Day 21 Thursday 1st June Fishguard to Fishguard - 11 NM

We half heartedly tried to make it to Solva today, but after a gentle sail getting nowhere against the tide we returned to the harbour and tied up to a Fishguard Yacht Club buoy before setting off to explore beautiful Fishguard. The whole place is a delight, and after dinner we had a wonderful evening in the yacht club. 

Day 22 Friday 2nd June Fishguard to Dale - 44 NM

After our experiences with the tide the day before we set off two hours later at 1200, which made all the difference though with no wind whatsoever we motored around Strumble Head against the tide before switching off the engine for a quiet break for lunch when we realised we were not going to get to the channel between St David’s head and Ramsey Island. This forced us a good few miles offshore to round the Bishops Rock before being able to make it to Milford Haven estuary. We sailed for a gentle hour when a NE2 materialised, but when we realised we had a strong cross current in the channel between Skomer and Skokholm we motored around the south and into the “Haven”, turning north towards Dale where, at 1930, we picked up a mooring for the night. After motoring ashore we had an evening with my sister, son and husband – a very pleasant evening indeed.

Fishguard Approach Fishguard Harbour Fishguard Harbour The Clerics
The Clerics The Clerics Bishop Rock Bishop Roack
Dale

Day 23 Saturday  3rd June Dale to Neyland Marina – 5 NM

We had planned to visit Swansea marina on our trip to reminisce with some old friends, but we simply could not afford the extra time it would need, so we decided to visit Swansea and our friends by train. For security we moved the boat to Neyland Marina, a well establish Yacht Haven just north of the old Pembroke Dock. Diesel was also a priority and having filled all tanks departed for the train and a boozy night ashore.

 

Milford routes

Day 24 Sunday 4th June - Neyland Marina to Castlebeach – 7 NM

After a really great night with the bed firmly stuck to the ground we arrived back in Milford Haven early in the afternoon and went for a big shop in the nearby Tesco's prior to a taxi back to the marina. After stowing the vittles and a leisurely lunch we cast off from the pontoon at 1520 for a very slow and relaxing sail the 5 miles downstream to Castlebeach bay, lowering the anchor at 1815. Castlebeach bay anchorage on the north side of the estuary and is about as close to the entrance to the harbour as possible. We were keen on leaving early the next morning.

 
 

Next section - Milford Haven to The Scillies