Didn't we have a lovely time?

[ishtar]

The day we went to Bangor........

Some pictures, and a few words from me. I'm sure the others will add their thoughts and pictures soon.

Wednesday night at the club. Huw, Steve and Allan packed the car to be driven by Huw's dad, Dave. Vinc and I would follow by train on Thursday morning.



Vince and I left Cardiff Central just after 11am and found Huw's new boat, Camelot, moored against the harbour wall.



We climbed down the ladder and waited for her to settle. Huw did some tidal calcs for teh following morning and someone suggested we go for something to eat, at a pub.

We ordered currys and beers, chips with yorkshire puddings and beers, and then ordered a few beers. We all put money into a kitty, but I suspect there was a thief in the bar as we soon had to put more in. It was 'open microphone' night, and we all expected some hellish karaoke evening, but the locals played guitar and sang. Many styles, from R&B to celtic, folk to humorous, it really was excellent, as was the beer.

[ishtar]

A brilliant night. Like many of the best ones, completely unplanned. The following morning we woke at low tide.



With several hours to wait until the waters returned, we gathered at the pier head to discuss final plans, taking into account time and tide, temperature and weather conditions.



We came up with two different plans. allan, Vince and Steve wanted the full English, Huw and myself were in favour of something lighter, perhaps with coffee. We repaired to the local greasy spoon and partook.

Huw had some last minute purchases to make at the chandlers whilst the others of us wandered to a local Aldi for supplies. Would 8 gallons of milk be sufficient for 5 men on a boat for 36 hours? Doubtful, Better get more.

When we returned, so had the tide. Not long to wait now:

[ishtar]

We returned to the boat and Allan and Huw checked the pilotage info one more time. We felt confident in their abilities.



Huw started the Engine at 12:30 and we set off shortly afterwards, leaving Bangor behind and heading into the Menai Straits.



Huw helmed for the first part, Allan navigating whilst the rest of us enjoyed the views, glad to be underway at last.




It was a beautiful flat calm day. Finally starting our journey, we donned thermals, wet gear and life jackets and settled into the routine.

[ishtar]

There followed a stunningly beautiful couple of hours, as we headed West, first under the Menai bridge



then the Britainnia:



Vince regaled us all with stories of the interesting features we passed. He and Sheila had bought 'Alana' up here a few years back. Vince had wanted to sail her back, very much like this trip, but didn't feel experienced enough at that time. He was relishing the chance to do it now.



We passed the boatyard where they'd bought Alana andwere soon approaching the impressive Caernarfon Castle:

[ishtar]

As we passed out towards Caernarfon bar we could feel the excitement building. Steve took the Helm,










With Allan calling instructions, we followed a tortuous path through the sand banks, in 4-5m water at high tide, swells and waves all around the narrow channel:



A few minutes later, as we all concentrated, Huw shouted 'Golly, I say chaps, there's a rather large breaking wave just off the port bow'. Well, that's not quite how he phrased it, but it's a family forum.

Minutes later, we left the Menai straits. Set a course 225T to run down the Lleyn peninsula tworads Bardsey island. Relieved to be in deeper water and out of the swells, we set sails.

[ishtar]

The afternoon drew to a close and we watched a glowing sunset. Allan reported that no 'green flash' had occurred.



A couple of hours later we passed Bardsey island. We could still se that light, far in the North, when we picked up the Strumble head light, some hours later.

[ishtar]

Huw had set a watch pattern which worked wonderfully. 1 hour at the helm, 1 hour on watch, then down below to complete the hourly log entry and plot the chart.



Even though we navigated using GPS, we kept a detailed log and plotted on paper too. Then, it was three hours off, before the cycle began again, through the night.

[ishtar]

It quickly became clear that we were making very good time indeed. By 2am, Huw and I had calculated that we would be passing the Pembrokeshire islands, with their potentially dangerous rocks and currents in the dark. We had expected to meet them Late morning on Saturday.

None of us were really happy with the thought of navigating the inner hazards in the dark, so, time on our side, we decided to go outside the Bishops and run down, just West of Skokholm, before turning East into the Bristol channel.

By the time we reached Skokholm, shortly after 07:00, the dawn was starting.

[ishtar]

As we headed across the entrance to Milford, Huw offered to cook breakfast. He went below, just as Allan was explaining the correct expression to use when accidentally sitting on a Christmas cake:



Actually, there's a little artistic license there, it was, in fact, another member of crew who flattened the Christmas cake. To protect his feelings, I won't name him here.

Huw cooked bacon sandwiches for all:







The Tankers entered Milford as we passed. You can see the Pilot boarding in this shot:

[ishtar]

We were all feeling a little tired by now, and started to relax once past Milford. We kept a good watch, with Steve and Vince doing an excellent job for most of the day, giving Huw a chance to relax a little:



and myself and Allan sat below listening to a nailbiting match as the Ospreys (my team) beat Leicester to go through to the quarter finals of the Heineken cup.

We were all remaring how wonderful the trip was, how well planned it had been and how much we were enjoying it. It couldn't have been any better could it?



The Dolphine and porpoises were with us for a good 20 minutes. Huw estimated around 40 in total, leaping and cavorting in the bow wave. at one stage 4 porpoise leapt into the air in formation, simultaneously. It was absoultely spectacular, and left all of us buzzing, even those of us who've been lucky enough to see these animals before. It was a stunning experience.

[ishtar]

The day settled into a lazy routine. Some crew members did their own exercises. Here's Steve, just after he'd finished his Tai Chi, on the bow:



And another day drew to an end. We were eating up the miles still, and were nearing the Gower as the sun set on another beautiful day:



Vince and Steve dissappeared below, having been on deck most of the day. Vince was muttering something about food and pretty soon, a great bubbling cauldron of soup emerged. A man of many talents indeed.

[ishtar]

The night began. Initially not as cold as the one before, it did start to get chilly as we approached Cardiff, and the wind veered to have a bit more East. I went below with Vince and prepared a smorgasbord of a menu, with a huge range of choice to suit any taste:



Vince had never tried a pot noodle, so I eased him in gently with a mild curry. He seemed surprised, but later admitted that it had not been as bad as he had feared.

[ishtar]

We finally headed around the Ranie and up into the lock at 01:15.



We calculated that it had taken about 37 hours, and we were just shy of 200 miles. Motor sailing the whole way. Very tired at the end, but we all really really enjoyed the trip. Sheila met us just after Huw expertly berthed Camelot on Pontoon C, Stern first, and they left shortly afterwards. Huw, myself, Allan and Steve had a quick celebratory beer before retiring to our bunks.

[ishtar]

One last picture. I know Vince is a bit of a club favourite, his happy smiling face has lit so many sailing days, I've prepared a montage of shots of him from the trip, for his fans:




Cheers, Vince!
;D ;D ;D ;D

[ishtar]

Rough chart plot of the trip:

[spidercrab]

What a great story and a record of the event. The videos of the dolphins showed how spectacular they were. Amazing.

[traveller]

well done chaps, so enjoyed the info on your trip, glad to see you all home safe, we look forward to hearing more about your journey over a tot.


Carol and Graham

[snacko]

What a fantastic trip, Thanks for letting us all enjoy the trip with you via the club forum. Huw, hope you and the family enjoy many, many, hours of pleasant cruising in "Camelot"
Vince, I am sure that all your fans will at last realize what a miserable sod you are!Ha! ;D

[Viv]

What do you mean miserable? That's Vince's happy face!
Sheila

[allan]

Great pictures Martin. I hope other people will get a feel for what a great time we had.
I feel some of the highlights, like the pub in Bangor, the camaraderie, first passage through the Menai straits, the quality of Camelot, the sunrise and the sunsets, the weather, steering by the stars, Martins insight into the stars, Huws vegetable curry, the arrival in Cardiff and, of course, the largest number of dolphins and porpoises I have ever seen, will live with me for a very long time.
The lowlights, spending the night on Camelot with for four other guys who have had a night of curry and real ale, missing out on the Christmas cake and coming back with a stinking cold, will soon fade away. Although I did wake up this morning in a cold sweat, not sure if it was the cold or remembering the snoring and farting!
Many thanks to the crew, all of whom are now on my list of people I would sleep with.
Allan
PS. I think there are still some more pictures to come.

[ishtar]

On that subject, Allan, can I just say that it is late January, and the club has already had eleven (if I recall correctly) yachts cruising around Flatholm on a day out, and a non stop passage from Bangor to Cardiff.

You don't have to wait until May folks, get out there!

[ishtar]

Hi, I've just been told that the dolphin videos may not be working. Can anyone else play them/not play them?

Cheers. Martin.

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Dolphin Videos worked fine Great photos well done great to read about it.

Brian

[Romantica]

A special thanks to Huw for buying his new boat in Bangor.
Also thanks to Allan,Martin and Vince for their company on a very memorable trip and to David for the transportation to Bangor.
Apart from satisfying a personal ambition to sail around the Welsh coast, the trip was well planned and a very memorable experience. You know when something is right when everything goes to plan with loads of banter and everyone getting along.

I also think Huw has done more than his fair share for Care in the Community - Taking Four Grumpy old men on tour.

Thanks again to all
Cheers
Steve

[Fred]

Great read better than Yachting Mag if down club on Wed thought I bring some Pot Noddles for Vince..

Fred

[shindig]

Awesome guys - well done, some great pictures and videos!

[sandpiper]

A brilliant account Martin. It was supposed to be almost a job of work bringing Camelot to her new home, but we really did have such a good time, thanks to such excellent company and the unbelievable weather.

Many many thanks to my four grumpy old men, who each helped to make it a truly memorable passage.

I'm really looking forward to enjoying many more trips on Camelot. There are a couple of things that it became apparent need attention, but Camelot has really proven herself as the yacht I hoped she would be - and not at all cold!!!

As Martin has already said let's all get out there!! The summer is so often not all we've hoped for, so we need to make the most of any temperate winter weekends we are blessed with.

[Viv]

Martin, I finally managed to download the required version of Flashplayer, via my Firefox browser, in order to view the videos. The dolphin ones are fabulous, I am so jealous not having seen any yet, but perhaps in the summer when we get down to Dale. Was a bit disappointed with the video in the bar, expecting more of your cutting wit on the voice over and all it was was a bit of diddly-i music! Ah well, can't have everything!
Thanks Huw and Angie for the Sunday morning bacon sarnie and coffee and sorry that I had already opened and drunk most of what should have been the Camelot welcome home champagne!
Sheila

[Viv]

Now there's the thing. When I log on to the forum via my aol browser and click on the videos the Photobucket page tells me that I have to download the flashplayer! So it must be that Photobucket and AOL don't like each other very much, or something like that. S

[rose]

Great trip guys,"Camelot" looks a well found boat,great account of the trip from Martin as usual.