Fishguard and Caswyn

[ishtar]

Louise and I paid a flying visit to Fishguard last weekend, then met with Vince and Dave aboard Caswyn, at Dale.

We motored through Jack Sound at slack, but then sailed through Ramsey with the tide running at full speed. We were OK, but I think I'll motor through there from now on, the eddies make sailing and keeping any kind of straight heading very difficult.



Passed Strumble head



And then anchored off Fishguard, Thursday evening.

[ishtar]

We sailed back down on Friday, Louise raising the cruising chute on her own. We were then joined by a pod of common dolphins (videos later)







We motored through Ramsey Sound on the way back, but even on tickover, we were flying (Here you go, Huw!)



Spent a lovely night on a mooring bouy in North Haven, Skomer, where we were joined by a friendly seal

[ishtar]

Headed back to Dale on Saturday, where we met up with Vince and Dave, aboard Caswyn



before heading ashore for a few beers in The Griffin



We then returned to Caswyn where Louise cooked us an excellent Chinese meal before we returned to Ishtar, tired but happy.

[ishtar]

Vince joined us aboard Ishtar on Sunday. No wind for sailing, but we did spot the new owner of 'Jacona' returning after her maiden voyage:

.

Louise and Vince then did a spot of fishing. After not much luck, I took them over the wreck of The Dakotian, a Liberty ship than sank in 1941. THey both caught a few small fish before Vince hit the jackpot (see video on other thread!)

We gace Dave and Vince a lift back in Louise's tiny Citroen when Shiela picked them up at our place.

A beautiful weekend. Just a little more wind would have made it perfect, but great times.

(Longer account in our blog. Link below)

[ishtar]

Some videos:

[sheila]

Oh, lovely videos Martin

[ishtar]

When you think you've seen everything, something else happens to surprise you. I've had so many seal encounters over the years, I've become bored with them, but this one was so inquisitive, so interested in us and in Tigger, and so beautiful to look at. It really was special. Louise and I were so lucky.

[Camelot]

Martin, we going to be based in the haven for the last couple of weeks of July. The kids are desperate to see some dolphins - where have you most often seen them within a day sail of Dale?

[Cardiff Yacht Club]

Anywhere West of a line between Ramsey and Skomer. If I was determined, I think I'd head out to the west of Skomer a few hours before HT Milford, motor/drift Northwards and then, back Southwards when the tide turns.

Our friends run watching trips, and they go from this areaout beyond the Smalls, but that's a fair run.

You often get porpoise at the South end of Ramsey when the tide is running South, the tripper boats wait there, too, but, as I say above, it's dodgy it a yacht as the currents are strong and the rocks are close.

The other place is Eastwards, along St Gowans shoal and into Carmarthen bay - you should see some there on the way down.

M.

[Andy-High Spirits]

I missed you in Fishguard, you have taken a picture of my mast behind the harbour wall. I left the boat there on Thursday but I will be back next week if anyone is around give me a call.
Andy

[ishtar]

Hi Andy. Ishtar is at Dale, but we've got some diving to do at the weekend. I'm doing a mooring at Llangwm and Dale, and looking for a prop at Neyland, but we will be about from the following weekend onwards.