Watchet weekend. 28th Feb - 1st March

[ishtar]

Ishtar went down to Watchet with Sheila and Vince on Alana at the weekend. My camera won't take pictures any more, but I did snap a few videos. The plan was to lock out at 09:00 and sail the ebb down to Porlock. Anchor for lunch and then take the flood up to Watchet, where the gate was due to open at 18:10. There we would meet up with Alan and Edwina, on Cobby Girl. Leave Watchet before the gate closed at 11:40 on Sunday and sail back to Cardiff.

[ishtar]

Met with Sheila and Vince at 08:00 and got the boats ready. Louise helmed Ishtar and Sheila, Alana.

Click on the pictures to play videos.

[ishtar]

A straightforward sail down past Penarth:



Around Ranie and Lavernock spit and our towards Breaksea. Alana decided that Barry was a 'shortcut' but it didn't turn out that way.

We then tacked into the Westerly wind but the tide took us too far West in the end and we motored the last few miles into Porlock. With hindsight, it may well have been better to try and cross the channel in one tack, and then follow th eEnglisg side down. Maybe next time.

[ishtar]

We followed Alana into Porlock. As is now customary aboard Ishtar, the plop of the anchor hitting the water is followed by the sound of Louise eating, in the time it takes me to walk the 8.5 metres of her length.

Tigger emerged from his cubby hole at the smell of hot crumpets, and a few leftover onion bhajias from the night before.

[ishtar]

A fantastic sail up to watchet then, as the sun came out. We spotted an odd looking oject in the water off minehead. It looked a bit like a world war two mine. Louise and I took Ishtar to investigate, as Vince used all his hard earned racing experience to get Alana as far away as possible.

It was turning into a beautiful evening.



Bit of a bun fight getting into Watchet just as night fell. A near miss with an outgoing boat who seemed to think that 20 knots was fine in the outer harbour. We followed Alana in and met up with allan, Edwina and the lovely Lily, a small white bundle of fur and teeth who proceeded to terrorise Tigger for the duration of the weekend.

Tigger had explained to lily that he liked her as a friend, but it would go no further, and she seemed to take umbrage at this, and subjected him to torrents of abuse at every opportunity.

We were commanded aboard the Westerly Konsort owned by Mick for a drink, before repairing to the Ship Inn for food, a log fire and more beer.

[ishtar]

The following morning, and no wind. Took Tigger for a walk. We left the harbour at 11:00 and the wind picked up immediately. 16 knots, Westerly. A brilliant sail past the West Culver buoy up towards Barry.

Alan and Edwina on Cobby Girl:



Sheila and Vince on Alana:

[ishtar]

At Barry we turned and Ran downwind. The ebb was still against us but we picked up speed as it eased. Louise and I had our first try at Goosewinging. Great fun.

[ishtar]

A bit of chop off the Lavernock spit buoy, and then a long wait of over an hour to lock in after the racing yachts. We tied up on the pontoon around 18:00 and a quick drink aboard Ishtar before we went our separate ways.

Many thanks to Sheila and Vince on Alana, Allan and Edwina on Cobby Girl and Mick at Watchet for great company,

;D

[Viv]

Likewise from us, a great weekend, great company. Will put my photos on disc for you and Allan, then you can do with them what you will.

[louiseishtar]

Just to agree with Martin, it was a great weekend, brilliant for February. Good company and a bit of sunshine make all the difference. Not sure I agree with the bit about me eating though...

[sandpiper]

Wish I could have made it, for February, the weather seemed to be perfect. How many miles did you clock up?

[ishtar]

Hi Huw. We clocked up just over 40 miles on the way down, via Porlock, and another 25 or so on the way back. Added to our Aberthaw trip ;ast weekend, that's over 100 miles in a week!

We did 180 miles in 2008!

Louise and I are hoping to sail again as soon as possible, so we're watching the weather. It was so much fun sailing in company. We'll post here when we're off, but also email, I think.

M.

[Viv]

Hi Martin/Huw, our log shows that we did 35.8 on the way down (25.5 to Porlock) and 24.9 miles on the way back. 60.7 in all. You obviously did a lot better than us speedwise, since you beat us back, although I think we beat you there! Not that we were racing but it is interesting to note!

[Deleted]

Sounds like you lot had a good weekend - sorry to have missed it - must check here more often!

Elaine and me took Sandpiper (another one) up to Portishead on Thursday, then down to Burnham for Friday night (anchored, tucked in behind the island) - and then back to Cardiff by Saturday afternoon against the tide. Weather was VERY grey all the time and no wind at all on Saturday for us as we punched the tide. Oh well... hopefully catch up with you soon. I'd like to discuss tidal tactics for Watchet.

[ishtar]

Hi, Peter. We're usually in the bar on Wednesdays. I'm tall and bald with glasses and Louise is shorter and blonde. We're often on the boat as well, Ishtar, on C pontoon.

As for tidal tactics, well, we've been sailing for less than a year, so we make it up as we go along. Come and have a chat, anyway.

[ishtar]

Mar 3, 2009 13:09:42 GMT @peter said:

Sounds like you lot had a good weekend - sorry to have missed it - must check here more often!

Elaine and me took Sandpiper (another one) up to Portishead on Thursday, then down to Burnham for Friday night (anchored, tucked in behind the island) - and then back to Cardiff by Saturday afternoon against the tide. Weather was VERY grey all the time and no wind at all on Saturday for us as we punched the tide. Oh well... hopefully catch up with you soon. I'd like to discuss tidal tactics for Watchet.

Hi Peter, I'm interested that you anchored overnight. This is something I'm really keen on, and it seems not many people do.

Can you tell me where you anchored, exactly, what size boat you have, what keel(s) and how much chain/rope you used? Did you have to reset when the tide turned?

Thanks.

[allan]

Peter,
I am also interested in the answers to Martins questions. Are you the Sandpiper who was talking to Swansea coastguard on Friday? I heard some of the conversation as I was sailing down to Watchet. Were you on Sturt sands or were you at anchor?
Allan

[ishtar]

I have some still photos, taken by Sheila and Vince on Alana.

Ishtar sailing towards Watchet on Saturday evening:

[ishtar]

Cobby Girl, Cardiff bound. Sunday.

[ishtar]

Vince, enjoying himself on Alana:

[ishtar]

Oops, sorry, my mistake. This one is Vince:

[ishtar]

Saturday night, aboard Mick's boat. Can I just say here that any rumours of alcohol being involved in the trip are totally unfounded.

[ishtar]

Heading for the locks after a long wait:

[ishtar]

Cobby Girl in the outer Harbour:



Thanks for the pictures Sheila and Vince.

[Viv]

I never could quite put my finger on it, who he reminded me of!

Sheila

[Viv]

Don't mean it really Vince!

[Deleted]

Hello guys. Sorry I didn't get to chat to you again - last night. I've got involved with turning the club into an RYA training centre - aquiring more boats - and getting some kids/school groups involved... and was tied up with that all night. May see you over the weekend

Cheers, Peter

[ishtar]

Hi Peter. That's great. There was a talk about that last week, but I only caught part of it. Louise and I will be around at the weekend, and going to the Jumble on Sunday.