Friday Sail to Aberthaw

[ishtar]

We had a good night in the bar, coming second in the quiz (Thanks, Huw). I'd decided to sleep aboard, and Louise could meet me after her night shift and we'd get out for the first sail of the year.

Tigger complained about the cold all night, and the sight that greeted me as I stuck my head out in the morning was not great.



I'd heard Allan leave for the 07:00 lock - he was headed for Appledore, on the hunt for points in the Blue Book challenge. It must have been even worse then. I didn't even know if we'd be able to sail, with everything frozen up.



We locked out at 10:30, and I knew straight away it was the right thing to do. Sometimes these cold crisp winter mornings are the best for being on the water.

[ishtar]

I tried the engine against the tide at the Ranie - it pushed us 2 knots against the full ebb, something the old engine would never have managed. The smoke stacks at Barry should have told us it was not going to be a good day for sailing, though.

[ishtar]

I rang Allan. He was already off Ilfracombe. He'd managed a couple of hours sailing, but was now motoring through lack of wind. Louise was sleeping, so rather than start the engine again, I let the sails hang limply and drifted Westwards with the tide.

Louise got up at 14:00, just off Aberthaw and we headed back with the flood. Again tried to sail, but it just wasn't possible. The sky and sea looked lovely, though

[ishtar]

We'd predicted that we'd be able to lock in at 16:15. When we got there, Barrage control advised that there was only 1m of water over the sill. The Barometer reading 1036mb might have had something to do with that.

As we entered the bay, the sunset was spectacular.





Some people don't like winter sailing. OK, not perfect for actual SAILING, but a beautiful day. Get your thermals on and get out there!

[Fred]

you should have called in at Barry for some Blue book points to keep up with Allan

[ishtar]

Yes. We were running a little late by that time. We waited at Aberthaw to see what time the tide turned. Allan had timed it at Ilfracombe and we wanted to do the same there.

The answer was about 15 minutes before lw Cardiff, btw.

[rose]

I thought it was you out there Martyn,we past you near penarth pier about 4.30 on our way to Flatholm, i think lou was steering at the time.

[ishtar]

That would have been about right, Chris. They asked us to wait as there was not enough water over the sill. I helmed on the way out, Louise on the way back, both trying to learn the new handling capabilities of the boat with the new engine.

A really lovely day, but it took us both hours to warm up again when we got home.