Pembroke Haven Yacht Club

Great BBQ – fantastic burgers thanks Paul.  Weather helped of course.  A few not great photos of the race http://www.phyc.co.uk/rnli-race-2013 if anyone is interested.

Lovely sail down to Lundy – broad reach the whole way with 15 to 20 knots of wind, a bit splashy but consistent speeds of 7-8 knots meant we arrived a bit early really so it was a little lumpy round the North tip of the island.  It was a tad chilly despite the bright sky. Dolphins for company a lot of the way.

We anchored in the lee of the island just off the jetty,  had a bite of lunch and were just setting off in the dinghy when Carpe Diem followed us round the corner.  We went for a brisk walk around the island to build up an appetite for dinner at the Marisco tavern.

Sailed back the next morning – pushed the tide a bit – but it wasn’t too bad.  wind ranged from 8-12 knots from SW so just enough for a reasonable sail.  Got back to Hobbs point, cleared up the boat and managed to get last orders at the club.

Thursday 2nd May

Light winds and more sun forecast for today so the gate opened at around 10am and promptly saw a mass exodus of boats out of the harbour. Leonore was towing a ferrow cement gaffer round to face the gate and by the time they let the line go poor old Alan had missed the gate but the gaffer motored straight out. Having spun himself back round Alan followed on. Peter George and Barry Kingston have all headed off to so even less boats in the harbour. Have run some reefing lines in the main ready for tonight's departure. Plan to leave on tonight's gate and sail overnight back home. Hopefully make the club for a pint at 5pm depending on tiredness. Rob doing breakfast as I scribble this whilst Doug and Chris chat to our new neighbours for the day Bob and Ruth Keys. They plan to leave on Saturday so at some point will have to swap places with us as we are inside boat. Doug, Chris and I went on Jaws 11 for a high speed trip round the bay. The driver stopped off at the place the old MFV Courageous was lost on Monday morning. Work boat gone up there to try and recover the engines. Those that have been to Padstow for May Day will know Courageous as the boat in the corner by the Shipwright. Been coming here for 25 years apparently, darn shame she came to such an end. All persons were ok tho. Looks like power nap time again judging by my return from a stroll and Rob being the only awake soul. Popped up the Shipwright to check the tables were back and that Rack of Ribs was still on the menu for our last supper before tonight's departure. There was a group of local old boys having a sing song in the beer garden which was very entertaining. Supper done and a little snooze before departing gate at 2215hrs. Very light winds from the south west so motor sailing to make some headway. Cleared Newlands island at 2300hrs and set George the task of keeping us on course home. Dolphins with us almost immediately and were a source of company most of the night. Very clear sky although the moon was hiding till mine and Robs watch at 0200hrs. We unfurled the headsail and turn engine off at half 4 cos the wind was up to 12knts by then. Been sailing ever since and now directly opposite Milford at 1031hrs. Been a cracking sail with slight seas and the forecast SW 14-17knt wind. Safely on Hobbs point pontoon and just the sorting personal stuff out to do.

Thanks to James for uploading these blogs and hope anyone who has read it has enjoyed. This is me signing off till next time. Take care all and enjoy your sailing.

Paul.

Wednesday 1st May (Mayday)

We woke up to another stunning blue sky after our slightly later night. The drums are banging and the OSS has been sighted at the other side of the harbour. Hopefully will get a photo or 2 later as it passes to post with the blog. Had a very short look at the radio speaker this morning but once we took the front off it was obvious it wasn't going to be a wiring issue but a new speaker. Anyone who has ever been to the so called chandlery here knows that means a job for when we get back. Lol. Breakfast done and washing up sorted we have been joined by Alan and Andy to check weather forecast. We advised them to follow our lead of looking at several and picking the best. No point in picking a bad forecast if another site give a nicer trip home. Crowds are building around the harbour now, so sitting here in the cockpit gives you that feeling of animals in a zoo. No adverse comments on that please!!

Done worrying about weather now and been over to Rock but unfortunately the yacht club was shut so ended up over the road at the Mariners. Lovely group of drunk, loud Essex types there. Luckily they popped off to get the ferry so we had a 2nd pint and let them go. Back on board now eating crisps and nuts left over from Scotland. Still surprisingly fresh. Pasties warming in oven then I may need a power nap.

Lovely and warm today so ideal mayday weather. There we are sitting quietly and all of a sudden there seems to be a jamming session going on on Leonore ( Alan Pritchard's boat with) some guy filming it. Not sure what that was all about, will have to ask Alan later. Power nap done now. Nice to go to sleep warm and wake up warm cos for all the daytime sunshine the nights are a bit brisk.

Whilst Paul was power napping, Doug and Chris went to reinforce the wine cellar and stopped off at the Harbour Inn to imbibe some local libation, as you do. came back to see some of the locals jumping into the Harbour, obviously drink was having an effect as some guy grabbed his girlfriend so that both ended up in the water.

Evening meal done on the boat. Curry and rice with red wine. Oh and 2 tins of stewing steak thrown in for extra meat. Blue OSS has just passed by. Not seen much of the parade today. Doesn't seem to be about as much as other years, maybe it being midweek has something to do with that.

Anyway off now to have a few pints before bed is called for. Bed had to wait a bit. Chris, Angela & Liz just arrived on Sol Quest and on the wall by the Customs house. Apparently they are down as a B&B for Amanda and Jack on Friday. Met up with Leonore and Sol Quest for a beer in the Shipwright for a pint before Chris etc headed back to their boat. We invited Alan & Andy back for a nightcap and had a good evening swapping stories. Apparently the group were called Black Friday and it was a charity performance for Air Ambulance to be screen on You Tube. Will have to look out for that. Nearly half one now so time for bed. Hope you all sleep well. We will. Night night.

Paul

Good morning to you all from another glorious sunny morning in Padstow. Unfortunately it is still very cold unless you're in the sun and out of the wind. Bumped into Barry Kingston and Alison yesterday. Berthed over in the corner on their motor boat. Looking forward to a beer with Alan Pritchard if he makes it down for tonight's gate. Have a good sail mate. Plans for today are getting there. Need to tidy boat a bit cos Jennie is bringing Doug down so can't let her think we are slobs. Lol. Also hope to have a go at connecting new DSC radio to chart plotter bet its harder than the book makes it look. I suppose if we get stuck we can phone gadget man James to help. Failing that I do have the number of Neyland Marine who did talk me thro it last Friday, even if half of what he said went straight over my head. Probably all as clear as muck once we get started. Doug arrived at about half 1 and conducted a quick inspection. Happy with boat so far. Fitted new radio and got it working but struggling to get it to talk to the GPS. Have double checked wiring and we think all is well but probably not, maybe time for a pint and some thinking time.  Couple of pints and thinking time done so back at boat ready to do battle with the darn radio again. Can connecting 4 wires really be this difficult? Ok don't answer that I know who is trying to do this. Yippee wasn't the wiring after all. Chris and I had got that right what we needed to do was a bit of setting up to get the 2 instruments to talk to each other. But all seems good now and kettle on. Not just pretty faces then. John Williams (John the Bank) called by this afternoon. He is staying in the Old Customs house for a couple of days. Think Jenny S may have tipped him off we were here. The fair is all set up in the corner of the harbour and one lad has just decided to jump into the harbour. That's gotta be cold. Been out for food and bumped into Alan Pritchard and Andy who cajoled us into a pint in the Customs house. They had a spell of 4hrs with no wind (lucky Andy) but seemed very happy to be in. Back at boat now for a little scotch and a natter. Bob and Ruth Keys just got in and rafted outside Peter George. Nice to see them here. Bit weary now so scotch is obviously having its desired effect. Night all sleep well.

Monday 29th April 2013

Good morning all and a glorious morning it is too. Sun is shining in between the clouds so the boat now resembles a huge washing line with all wet weather gear, various hats and towels getting dried. Breakfast is on courtesy of head chef Rob whilst Chris and I tighten the rigging a tad. Nothing major planned for today except some boat maintenance and possibly a lunch time pint. We will need to provision at some point because what we seem to have stocked up most on is Diesel and we haven't used much of that. Another breakfast of fruit juice and muesli with natural yogurt was rejected in favour of the full fry up, tea & toast. Damn nice it was too. Washing up all done and onto the greasing of all Maelstroms winches. Peter George from Milford is rafted outside us and made some comment on how generous it was for our skipper to let us do boat maintenance so that obvious boredom, until he arrived, could be avoided. We agreed, but did decline his reasonable offer of work on his boat to help us further pass our time. Instead it was noted by the ships clock that the sun had in fact managed to get itself over the yard arm, so not being a crew that wants to break any traditions we reluctantly dragged ourselves over to the Old Customs House for a pint. An afternoon power snooze was next on the agenda, then later I put the kettle on for tea and Welsh cakes. The sky is all blue and not a cloud in site this late afternoon, just a shame that the breeze and cold generally are keeping it not sun bathing but more coat type weather.

Next on the list is an evening meal possibly at the Custom House, as two years ago Chris and I had a fantastic rack of ribs which was just about all we could handle. Well that was a bit of a disappointment no ribs on menu. Darn. Still, was funny to watch the over zealous football fans watching Aston Villa and Sunderland. Don't suppose its anything like that when Wales are being supported down the club. Off for a quick one in the Golden Lion and then an early night. Got to be looking our best when the skipper arrives. Night all.

Sunday 28th April 2013

The skipper thought it would be a jolly good idea if the boat was waiting for him in Padstow harbour when he got back from his holiday to Maderia. He had, with much husbandly persuasion, managed to get Jennie to pop him down to Padstow on the way back from Bristol airport. The obvious harbour between Bristol and East Williamston.

Anyway a motley crew consisting of the 3 stooges was assembled and sworn in to deliver Maelstrom safely to Padstow (missing any submerged rocks on the way). Much discussion was had on safety issues, supplies and command before Chris, Paul and Rob were hand picked for the job. Every one else apparently was busy.

Boat was fuelled and watered by Chris and Paul on Friday afternoon just in time to get to the club bar and liase with Rob on food and drink supplies. This is all going too smoothly we thought. Stilll, the plan was to meet at Hobbs Point at 6am on Sunday morning to enable a 7am getaway to catch the evening gate at Padstow. So amazingly, as planned, we were all there and finally left at 0625. What could possibly go wrong. Well almost nothing as it seems. Passed thro St Anne's head at 8am, passed a sleepy Autonomy over in Castle Bay. Motor sailed to Rat buoy then unfurled Doug's new genoa and started sailing. Turned off the engine (well Rob said have you seen the price of diesel these days) and had a very nice sail for 10 hours before the forcast Westerly going North Westerly 12-15knts actually went Southwesterly to Southerly 18-24knts so had to motor sail the last 2 hours in against the tide. Darn. Still can't complain cos we were in early, tied up and boat sorted ready for the Skippers arrival on Tuesday, Unusual for Maelstrom, and possibly cos the Skipper wasn't here to instil discipline, we wandered aimlessly about till we found somewhere warm to sit down and discuss the trip. Fortunately and completely unplanned the place we chose to get warm actually sold beer. Stroke of luck really. Hope the skipper doesn't find out about our slight lapse in discipline.

Saw lots of dolphins on the way but only in small groups. Still helps to pass the time and even old people like us enjoy seeing them. Well I have just about had enough of writing this now so gonna stop. Have just eaten my home made curry as supplied by Chris and desert of Pecan nut slice thingy, very tasty both of them were too. All washed down with some cheap Asda stubby beers. Night all.

Never ones to risk cutting it fine, Paul, Chris and Rob have setup camp in Padstow well in advance of the first of May.  Paul says he may consider writing for the blog – but is concerned that it may all be about food and drink again …

Saturday

Alarm went off at 0500hrs for our departure of Bangor NI. Quick cuppa and away by half 5 to catch the tide out of Bangor and down towards Holyhead our planned stop over tonight. Wind in the south all day so motor sailing to maintain speed. Looks like a late arrival and Doug checking tides to see what time we would need to leave on Sunday to get a favourable trip home. Had Argyle pasties for breakfast at about half 11 cos it's a bit lumpy for cooking a full fry up. Still working our way through the never ending supply of welsh cakes on board. We have done 11 hours of motoring since Cambeltown so refuelled after breakfast and settled down for our trip. By settled down I mean me and Chris went to our bunks and Doug and Ben stayed up. Got woken by Ben at quarter to 3 to say Doug and him had checked tides which meant another early start, so how did we feel about heading straight home through the night. Should get in Sunday afternoon. Chris and I agreed so a new course was plotted and what did say 45 miles to destination now says 122 and that's only to broad sound. Still it will be nice to be home and it means Doug should get some of his birthday with his family even if he smells bad and is very tired. Can't waste water washing now. Lol. A pod of about 10 dolphins popped over to see us at 1705hrs and we took some pics and a few videos. Dolphins stayed for an hour, must have been admiring Maelstroms smooth keel. Nice to have them around always puts a smile on our faces. Put a reef in main for the night passage and started our watches. Quiet night. Wind dropped off to 3 knots and sea flattened. Shook reef out of main at 0850hrs and put up number 1. Had a nice sail for 3hrs then wind came round and dropped off so we took number 1 down and motor sailed towards Ramsey sound. Had a cuppa and sang Happy Birthday to Doug. Also gave him a card and a packet of Ashers, Red Velvet Yummie cupcakes. Through Ramsey and in time to get to Jack sound with favourable tide. Wind dropped now so heading gently towards St Anne's under full sail. Ben and I tiding up a bit. Soon be home. Had to motor up river as wind had dropped and didn't want to miss last orders in club. Bit of a boat tradition having a pint to celebrate safe arrival at port. For the stats people among you our last trip from Bangor took a shade over 36hrs to cover a distance of 230.37nm at an average speed of 6.3 knots. Had a couple of pints before saying goodbye to Doug, Chris and Ben.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Doug and Maelstrom for once again giving me a cracking holiday and seeing many places I have never been. Also thanks to Chris, Rob and Ben for being great company and fun reliable sailors. I had a great time. Another thank you goers to all our wives for being understanding about what us boys do for fun. I can imagine it is not easy sometimes when you can't communicate due to no phone signal etc. I hope anyone who has read this has enjoyed our journey with us and it just remains for me to say goodbye.

Maybe I will right again maybe I won't. Been fun tho.

Paul