Some pictures and news from Dale (or CYC West...)

[ishtar]

Well, after taking Ishtar West during the club Easter cruise an ankle injury had stopped me sailing until a couple of weeks back. This was, for us, the first really nice weekend of the summer, and it was lovely to share it with a number of CYC members down at Dale.

Dave (Caswyn), Huw, Ange, Louise and myself, with two dogs and two boys were enjoying a quiet drink outside the Griffin on Thursday evening when a strange looking vessel entered the bay. This was soon to be followed by a deeply sunburned Irish gentleman charging up the pontoon and ordering three pints of Guinness, before complaining loudly that it was 'watery'.

We identified the chap the following morning, on the pontoon.



shortly before he set off across the Irish sea. Paschall texted us the following morning as he was approaching Waterford. He may be doing some cruising over there before returning in a week or two. Or three. Or something. Congratulations on another CYC boat visiting Ireland.

Camelot on pontoon:


and later, anchored off Monk Haven



There was a ruckus on the Radio on Saturday. Evidently, some hapless yachtsman had tried to sail between the pontoon and a berthing tanker under tug. I believe they did identify the yacht, and I suspect a hefty fine may be in order. Louise and I sailed up to Llangwm that day, and on the way back were approached and called on the radio by a pilot boat, who asked us to cross the haven to avoid this



We've never been asked to give the tankers such a wide berth before, but it seems they were taking no chances after the morning's fun. We obliged happily. The winds were strong, and it can't be easy inching one of those things into the Haven.

[ishtar]

We had drinks with Ange, Huw and the kids that evening, but not before Louise became the first CYC quadruple dipper club member.



Scores were 5.9, 5.9. 6.0. I think she has an unassailable lead now, in this competition.

We just sailed about on Sunday. This was the first time we've sailed Ishtar reefed, since I altered all the rigging last winter, and it worked very well. Took Tigger ashore, the colours of the flowers, fields, sea and sky were beautiful.

[ishtar]

Another evening at the Griffin. Dale was lovely, but the fresh winds meant it was fleeces all round.



We bumped into Steve and Tony, who'd tied up Jean Jeannie after a rough crossing from Swansea, beating into Westerlies, F5 and F6 all the way. We found them in the yacht club, but they'd already been in the Griffin. We had Tigger and Huw and Ange had Salty, so we sat outside the Griffin. When Tony and Steve rejoined us, they were arguing about tide times and heights. Huw had helped with an 'app' on his phone but one pint led to another and


'Lean Leannie'

Steve blamed Tony. Tony blamed Steve. They both blamed Huw's app. Huw Blamed Steve's timekeeping. She wouldn't float again until 11:22, so they hoped the Griffin would stay open.......

Louise and I came back this morning. Huw, ange and the boys are there until next weekend. Steve, Tony and Jean Jeannie are not sure (it was silent aboard this morning....). Paschall is staying the other side of the Irish Sea for a while at least.

Nice to have some good weather at last, and great company, as always.

[Fred]

Jul 30, 2012 13:06:53 GMT ishtar said:

Another evening at the Griffin. Dale was lovely, but the fresh winds meant it was fleeces all round.



We bumped into Steve and Tony, who'd tied up Jean Jeannie after a rough crossing from Swansea, beating into Westerlies, F5 and F6 all the way. We found them in the yacht club, but they'd already been in the Griffin. We had Tigger and Huw and Ange had Salty, so we sat outside the Griffin. When Tony and Steve rejoined us, they were arguing about tide times and heights. Huw had helped with an 'app' on his phone but one pint led to another and


'Lean Leannie'

Steve blamed Tony. Tony blamed Steve. They both blamed Huw's app. Huw Blamed Steve's timekeeping. She wouldn't float again until 11:22, so they hoped the Griffin would stay open.......

Louise and I came back this morning. Huw, ange and the boys are there until next weekend. Steve, Tony and Jean Jeannie are not sure (it was silent aboard this morning....). Paschall is staying the other side of the Irish Sea for a while at least.

Nice to have some good weather at last, and great company, as always.

Wish I was there rather than S France miles from boats Fred

[vikingsmb]

excellent pictures martin, love the leaning yacht.

[Matt]

Nice account. I think your getting quite arty with your camera shots Martin :-)

Matt