Long weekend in Milford, with friends

[ishtar]

Louise and I headed down to Milford last Thursday. Weather forecast was bad, but we sailed down to Dale on Thursday night, for a fantastic sunset on the pontoon:



Friday began with a Southerly Force 6. Crossing the mouth of the Haven to head up to Milford was good experience:



We were due to pick up Sheila and Vince, of alana at Neyland. The wind was gusting to 35 knots and we struggled up river. At Milford, we tried to tie up on the Mackeral stage, but I changed my mind in the swells, and only just managed to get back out into the river.

We had some lunch in Neyland yacht haven cafe, and then headed out, up the river to Llangwm. Spirits were high, despite the weather.



We dropped them off back at Neyland a few hours later. They went to their B&B and we headed back up river to our mooring, none of us holding out much hope for the weekend.

[ishtar]

Saturday morning and the wind was light, the sun poked through as we passed under the Cleddau bridge:



Sheila and Vince were waiting at Milford. We picked them up, got the sails up and headed off down river.



We wanted to breakfast at Watwick bay, but there were still some swells, so we headed into the next bay for coffee and crumpets.



We thought we might be able to land at Dale, if we did our tidal calculations properly. Louise took us in, and we tied up, just about getting on the end of the pontoon, which was full of kids fishing, and boats which really could have tied up in shallower water.

Vince suggested we visted the chandlers.



and proceeded to teach Tigger the delights of drink.

[ishtar]

A lovely sail up the river towards Milford.



We locked in, tied up and headed to 'The Harbourmaster' for a meal. The veiw over the marina was not at all what we had expected, 24 hours earlier. A fantastic day, warm sunshine and good sailing with great company.



Sunday dawned, dry with light westerlies. We locked out and headed for Sandy Haven for breakfast. I made myself busy below, leaving the crew to enjoy the one light shower in 2 days.



Vince showed us an old trick from his racing days - 'Tie a knot in their kicking strap, he said, and shoot ahead whilst they are working it out. Thanks Vince!

[ishtar]

We were a little late mooring at the Jolly Sailor in Burton, but still managed to get some sandwiches. The sun disappeared briefly, but there were no further showers.



Heading back up the river, we spotted this junk rigged beauty:



There was a fella on board with a beard and a bottle of Magners. A long lost relative of a current club member? Who can tell.

We arrived back at Llangwm about 15:30, tired but happy. A lovely weekend, and far better than we could have hoped for, given the forecast. It was lovely to have Sheila and Vince aboard, too - I didn't touch a sheet all weekend, and they were great fun.............



Many thanks, S&V, hope to have you aboard again soon.

[Viv]

A great weekend, thanks a lot to all 3 of you (Tigger too!) As usual, I have to have the last word as evidenced by the last video! (Oh god, no make-up and on film!)

A rare photo of the whole family!



Dale was lovely, and we saw Charlie safely on her mooring there.


One of the locals was not very impressed to meet this scarecrow who arrived by boat!


The gurning competition!


Louise, there's something approaching astern!

[ishtar]

I forgot to mention Charlie - See you next time!