Fishguard: Two days without going ashore,as the wind was too strong.Saw one guy slip his mooring and leave with a SW Gale force 8 warning .The HM
Helped out by lifeboat station as we couldn't get ashore.Not quite a 'shout', but a cry for a shower, victualling,fuel and water.Tried to go alongside an MOD boat,but the surge was too much.
Loads of jobs now and main sheet block snapped off!Luckily from Ireland and little wind on our 2nd leg.Jury rigged it with two blocks.
Tried to set up new system on syphon valve ,by putting a hose over it,was too efficient as the (salt)water filled a bucket,the bilge and the cabin sole!
Finally departed Fishguard with a SSW F 5-6 forecast. Got to Strumble head and the seas started building.Tacked out and on the return just heade back to Strumble head! Felt like Rattray Head (NE Scotland) again,though these seas were bigger in fact enormous and building.We only had 10miles to go on this course,so I made the decision to put on the engine and motor just of the wind.It was hell but we punched through to Ramsey sound where we got shelter and about 3knots of tide pushing us through the channel,edged by rocks,including ones called the 'Bitches' and through Jack Sound (even narrower)past 'Vomit Point'!
17.45: Arrived at Dale (Milford Haven).That was one hell of a trip!The seas off St.David's must have been 3-4 metres high and even Nick felt ill as never before.
Picked up a morring buoy and prepared to depart at 0200 for Padstow.
Rolly and only two hours sleep! |
