The last trip out: Over night at Lawrenny Yacht Station

Shoestring moored up to her buoy for the night

We had our last night in Pembrokeshire, (due both to The Rum Situation and work demands). We left our moorings in Neyland at 11am just before the high-tide, and went out for a sail. Initially we were going to sail up to Angle Bay and then turn back up river to Lawrenny, but the wind and tide was against us, so we sailed as far as the entrance to the Pembroke River and castle pond, then turned to sail up river towards the Cleddau bridge.

After pottering around under sail, Michael had a go at the helm under sail, this time without hitting any buoys, King slept as usually. We realised how much the time flies while we're sailing as four o'clock came round we turned back with hardly any wind -we even tried motor-sailing to speed up things, and headed back from Picton Point towards Lawrenny.

Michael (and new hat) at the helm.
(Shoestring is in need of a new mainsheet traveler!)

The Lawrenny yacht station is a wonderful location, but popular, we managed to get a last minute visitors buoy by calling in advance. -£10 for buoy B28 on the edge of the Cleddau and the Cresswell river mouth, a beautiful spot as you can see but requiring a bit of a paddle to get to the Yacht Station's pontoon -King's first trip in the Sevylor Canoe! (link to the review), needless to say he was nervous but very trusting and eventually enjoyed it.

Thankfully our charts are a bit more up-to-date, but you get the idea.

Once ashore we realised that the wallet was still on the dashboard of the car at Neyland! A quick, but expensive (£60) return trip in a mini-cab solved this. We didn't go in but the Lawrenny Arms pub on the old quayside has been recommended to us many times.

Me(Tony) off out in the canoe.

We rowed back to Shoestring in the canoe, after having a bit of fun trying to get King into the canoe over the edge of the pontoon. -Thankfully he had his lifejacket on so he was easier to carry. -Or at least aim and throw as it must have looked like to the people watching with great humor in surrounding yachts.

After dinner on board we had an amazing sunset at Lawrenny, we sat on the fore-deck in our woolly jumpers with a scotch and coke (YES NO RUM) and watched the still water reflecting the light from around. Then complaining as a motorboat user, just after sunset decided to show off water-skiing skills with no navigation lights and making lots of noise and lots of wash. Thankfully this ended after twenty minutes or so.

Sunset at Lawrenny, looking up the Cleddau river.

We settled in for the night, noting that Shoestring didn't move that much more than she did in the Marina. I was in the double bunk up front and had to have the forward hatch open for a while longer to look at the amazing star-fields you get in the very low light pollution skies.

Shoestring's bow, with No.1 job awaiting a tie-down for the night.

Come morning all had changed. Rain, and I mean RAIN, was falling, Shoestring's cabin roof leaked again, this time in 1 new spot too! We had a quick breakfast of toasted muffins and jam then decided to return to Neyland under engine. -Wearing every waterproof garment we had.

King relaxing on his bunk (again)

Safely docked at Neyland about 2 hours later, we both wished we had spent the night out there before in our trip. We decided to leave Shoestring at Neyland during the wet stormy weather, and drive back to Lawrenny for lunch at the (award winning) Quayside Tea Rooms, where we had a very reasonably priced lunch that was one of the best we'd had on our trip.

One of our best shots from the evening. (Before the storm hit!)

We can't wait to take Shoestring back to Lawrenny. Perhaps next time exploring by Canoe further up to Cresswell Quay (the water is too shallow for Shoestring) where there is another great pub which has the best hog roast and BBQ in Pembrokeshire on a friday night apparently. We'll investigate and report back!

Link to Lawrenny Yacht Station

Last night at Lawrenny

We spent last night moored up river at Lawrenny Yacht Station. Just a quick entry this one, until I get a chance to post fully.

Last weekend

After too many work commitments got in the way we missed entering the Seafair! -I'll wait till the 2010 one now.

MW was working so I took the 'relief' crew. Amy and Nick. I also took King along as first dog. He loved the yacht, water, swans and generally anything that moved!



We arrived Friday evening to a warm-ish night, Amy and I made a point of finishing off a bottle of Sailor Jerry's that was in the cabinet. I also hooked up the battery chargers to the mains with our new cables.


Amy spoiling King.

Saturday morning we woke to rain and mist. We drove off to Dale for breakfast and then took King to his first time at the beach. He loved it! Trying to run and kick around, eventually pulling me into the sea with him.


Nick inspecting the ship

Nick arrived later on Saturday with his friend, we had dinner in Milford Haven then bed. Sunday, great weather; a quick look around the seafair, taking King to Broad Haven beach again, then the drive home.


King taking me for a paddle at Broad Haven beach.

A nice weekend really! -Still need to finish the painting and re-fitting but never mind there's always another weekend!

Pirates and cakes: last weekend in Wales

There be Pirates here!

We (Mum, Shaun. their pet dog, Coco and Myself) got down to Neyland last Friday morning at 4am, Shaun had not slept the whole way so was tired and grumpy. Nonetheless we decided to take Shoestring out on the morning high-tide.

Coco liked relaxing in the cockpit.

We untied and left her moorings very easily, edging out of the marina slowly, rounding the sharp bend at the entrance. Around this time the speed Log decided to give up and continually display 0Knots for the remainder of the trip... something else to fix...

We took her up river to Lawrenny under engine and a stuck mainsail -the batons got jammed in the lazy jack lines and refused to budge so we carried on. It was Shaun's first trip out on the yacht and at only five years old he took it very well getting quite excited and wanting to help with everything. Coco tied on her lead down below slept most of the time.

Shaun at the helm

Shaun proved to be a natural at steering and helm control as we passed quietly up river. We turned around and came back in after an hour so as not to get caught out by the tidal sill.

Docking was more fun, this time whacking the bow on the side of the pontoon, but no damage done.

This was before Shaun fell in after getting out the Canoe.

The rest of Friday was spent at the marina, where we had Lunch at the Brunel Café and took Shaun out for a paddle in the canoe tender, with other yacht owners asking where we got it and how we found it. We also drove out to Dale for lunch at a cafe there over looking the bay.

Paddling in the new Hudson canoe 'tender'

Saturday was spent driving in the car exploring Pembrokeshire a little, with nice warm weather on our side we went to Fishguard, a lovely little town where I picked up a 'Welsh Wool Jumper' and bought Shaun a model sailing yacht. Mum found a bakery where they had just made a fresh batch of welsh cakes, -they are much better when warm and fresh!

Fishguard lower harbour

We decided to explore nearby Solva, another little harbour, and former finishing village, now a bit of a tourist trap, but still a charming colourful village with brightly coloured buildings. One of the most senic places I've been I think.

Solva at low-tide.

Driving back to Shoestring, we also discovered Newgale Beach, a wonderful long expanse of sand with amazing views of Skomer and Ramsey islands.

Sunday and Monday the weather turned nasty, with wind, rain and cold hitting in from the North East.

We left for the LONG drive home, as always I don't like leaving Shoestring, and can't wait to get back, both to finish the refurbishment works on the deck, and to also get her out for a sail!!!

Home again

Just home from another weekend spent in Neyland. Very productive, and expect to see some photographs added later on.

We fixed on the newly re-painted dodgers, striped back some of the white paint to bare wood then vanished, then we re-painted her decks. (HUGE CHANGE!)

You'll see later on we've got a lot left to do, but a very productive weekend. We spent the whole car journey back to London (280 miles) discussing if we should move her closer to home. Except then we'll miss out on the lovely sailing area, the islands and trips to Scilly, Lundy, and North Cornwall that the Milford Haven offers.

More later.

Neyland Yacht haven on a clear march night

A lovely moonlit (but cold) night in our home birth at Neyland Marina on the Westfield Pill. and below in day light. -Both at low-tide

The calm before the storm.

Sunday:
Sunday was lovely! We got up early, checked the mooring lines -a new hobby of mine I think...

We headed over to the Brunel Café at the marina for a latté and to seek the advice of Mrs Haynes at the chandlery, (she really does know everything about yachts), on how best to go about patching up Shoestring's scratch in the woodwork. She helped us out as ever recommending various vanishes and techniques. -£40 odd pound later we left with all we needed.

We spent the afternoon working on Shoestring, after a quick trip to Haverfordwest to get some sandpaper and shopping. The car smelt awful as we realised a container of Paraffin had leaked all over the boot!

We headed back tot he Marina, and spent a sunny afternoon re-varnishing the woodwork, while MW cleaned and polished the windows and sprayhood. - I'll post a full review of the varnishes and cleaners used soon.

After all this work, and numerous mugs of tea, we went for a walk enjoying the warm weather along the Brunel cycle route, (NCN 4). The route follows along the Westfield Pill, a former creek used for ship building, and the terminus of the long closed Great Western Railway.

We saw Otters and what we think was a Bull frog, together with many ducks, swans, and a whole variety of bird life.

We walked back deciding that we'll treat ourselves to a roast dinner at the 'Bar Restaurant' at the Marina. - Very very good food, at extremely good prices: £19.50 for 2 roast beef dinners, mountains of vegetables and 2 pints of ale.

We then headed back to Shoestring to settle down...

8pm, the barometer dropped of the scale beyond 'storm'
8.15pm, the rain and wind hit...

Shoestring shook and rolled trying to drag the pontoon with her. But all held safely. As the wind got up, boats around us also rolled and shook in the force 9-10 winds. We looked out the windows as all around us the waters swelled and swept past. -We were also on spring tide, so the Spring high-tide hit the storm tide creating one hell of a current under her. -Stern onto the wind Shoestring wanted to roll around.

Despite the wind and rolling we were quite happy, that is until the dripping started. The roof started to leak, in 8 places. Unable to stay dry inside the cabin, and the bilge pump clicking on, our sleeping bags were soaked from water dripping above the bunks. We took the decision to sleep in the car, packing our waterproofs and basics for the trip across the pontoons.

We packed bits into the car, then decided to go for a walk in the exciting storm, seeing other poor yachts in the marina side onto the wind being blown around and up against the pontoons.

We headed back to the car, deciding to move it slightly away from the waters edge and slept.

Monday morning:
We woke looking at still Force 7-8 winds, and a very high tide. -We actually had to step over around 2 foot of tide and then walk UP to the pontoons. Bits of wreckage from boats and rubbish were dotted about. Shoestring remained safely on her morning waiting for us, we wiped down the interior and gave her a quick clean.

We both had to be at work tomorrow, so we packed up and headed home, despite the dreadful weather and the leaks we had a great weekend.

I'm still worried about the bilge pump packing up and her sinking from a leak in the cabin.... Oh well, just need to have faith.

A spare day in Pembrokeshire

Saturday:
Saturday morning we slept in, MW got the Taylors paraffin cooker going to make tea, while we had cereal.

We used the showers and decided what to do for the day. We ended up deciding to retrieve the car from Milford Haven, and also get a coffee from the chandlery at Neyland. -We also stopped off to say hello to Mrs Haynes at the chandlers, who was very pleased to hear we had arrived to Neyland successfully.

We got advice from the café regarding busses to Milford Haven and set off into the town. Although there are no cash-points in Neyland you can get cash-back from the Co-Operative mini-market.

The bus to Milford Haven runs hourly, and was very reasonable at £1.50 per person. We arrived after a senic and enjoyable bus ride to collect the car.

We spent the rest of the day exploring nearby Pembroke Dock. -A town on the opposite side of the Cleddau to Neyland, but as large as Milford Haven. We prefer it as it has many more useful shops.

I spent the remainder of the day testing and adjusting the lazy jacks on the mainsail, and fixing a broken halyard.

In the evening MW made homemade beef burgers with vegetables with Welsh cakes for desert.

With still no sign of the wind or rain we had a slow evening spent onboard reading and listening to the radio.

Milford Haven to Neyland under engine.

Friday:
We arrived mid-afternoon on Friday, with warnings of gales and storms on the way over the radio. We found around 6" of water in her bilge over the week, which was solved by switching on the bilge pump!!!

We paid a whole £54.60 for a week's mooring at Milford Marina, then waited for the 16.09 freeflow through the lock to start. Knowing gales and bad weather were forecast we decided to stay under engine down to Neyland, -with mainsail on standby incase that failed.

We radioed into get an exit slot, eventually being granted permission at 16.30, another nightmare undocking from Milford. This time we got caught by a cross wind and scratched the side of Shoestring on the pontoon. -more on that later.

So off and through the lock, clearing it we caught for a little in a cross current rocking her quite a lot, but this all cleared as we passed by the Petrol terminals, and around past the Weir Spit buoy.

Suddenly all calm, light winds, no waves to speak of, and lovely sunset sky. We quite enjoyed the short 4 mile cruise, MW taking the helm most of the way while I checked position and pilot guide for the approaches to Neyland Marina.

We were very tempted to cruise on further -maybe even sail in the wonderful weather, but after the radio warnings and listening to other ships talking about oncoming storms on the VHF we decided to head into Shoestrings new home.

Instantly we felt happier, no locks, no tankers or commercial vessels, just a few tight maneuvers around the bend, and waiting for a motorcrusier to dock ahead of us.

We found our mooring, tied up and MW put the Taylors Cooker on. -He's had fun with that this weekend.

We settled down, explored the new marina and had a drink (or two). Feeling quite happy with our first 'proper' cruise.

Sadly although I brought the camera, the battery was dead. Sorry!

Off again tonight

We're off to Pembrokeshire tonight to stay on-board and hopefully move her to Neyland Marina tomorrow morning (6am high-tide!)

So while were away here's some photos of our lovely folkboat for you to look at.

It doesn't come out too well, but the clock is engraved with 'Shoestring'


MW asks for more tea.


The (nearly finished) refit on the navigation area. -New chartplotter installed, I've retained the older Apello GPS as a back-up. We're going to put a folding chart-table in over and under this soon.
We also had a couple of visitors stop by in the Marina to say hello.
And this was while stuck in the lock for 6 hours before the now famous pirouette.

I'm taking the camera again this weekend so i'll make sure we photograph and further adventures. (and give a report of the journey from Milford Haven to Neyland.

The first weekend. Featuring a pirouette in Milford lock.

After arriving late Friday night we set loaded ourselves up and walked along the pontoons at Milford Marina to Shoestring.

Our next course of action was to get the stove on, both to heat the cabin and to make a cup of tea. Packed (or stowed) eveything and then set the front bunks up for sleeping.

Saturday morning we spent going over the yacht, checking systems, equipment and all the other associated parts that make us move, stop, turn, or simply stay still.

We checked in at the Marina to sort our mooring out for the week, then decided to test the freeflow through the port's lock to head out.

Checked over once more, hanked on the headsail, uncovered the main, made ready all sheet lines and equipment. Engines on.

We radioed out for permission to depart. Granted quickly by the Pierhead control. Then had the fun of un-docking. -Shoestring, does not like reversing under engine at all!!!

Then after rounding the marina (and missing another boat moored up opposite), we headed out through the lock.

We didn't expect the tide and current to be quite so against each other, and we had a lot of fun side onto both and being thrown around.

Wind picked up quickly, and with both an unfamiliar yacht, a 'rusty' skipper, and beginner crew, I decided to head back to port after 1/2 hour. -Also a jammed mainsail.

Radioed in for permission to re-enter the lock. Granted after a tug left, so we proceeded.

Upon entering we were told there would be a 1 and a half hour wait for the next lock, no problem.

Halfway through sluicing the lock the jammed and we were stuck there until the next freeflow at 10.30ish that night.

Moored up in the lock we spoke to the Skipper of a Dive charter moored up behind us, who seemed to like the look of the old girl. (shoestring).

After a trip to Tesco, involving a climb up a very precarious ladder from the lock pontoon, and the trip back down we made dinner, and waited until the lock opening.

At last after the an out going tug, we made ready to enter the Marina. Got permission, then left, almost... Classic schoolboy error... We let off the bow mooring line, into the wind before the stern.

A pirouette performed in lock under wind and power followed, without incident, then we headed in for a thankfully uneventful mooring on our birth.

The following day we spent sorting and servicing. We drove to Neyland Yacht Haven in the morning to use the Brunel chandlery, we met Mrs Haynes there, who was both very helpful (showing us which deck cleaners to use, and advising on charts), then we used the lovely café there for a coffee and cake.

We then drove off to Haverfordwest, for the nearest DIY store to buy more paraffin and other equipment. When we returned I fitted our new Standard Horizon Chartplotter, while MW gave her a good clean and scrub down.

We spent sunday night relaxing onboard after quite a busy day, MW cooked us Steak and vegetables on the Taylors cooker, (I believe he is going to post full instructions on this soon.), and we laid down to read and rest as a small gale blew up outside pounding the deck with rain, but stopping quickly.

Monday morning we secured all the sea cocks, isolated the battery supply, and then got ready for the journey home to London. One nice surprise was that the amazing team at BoatShed Wales, had managed (with a bit of wrangling), to get us a birth at Neyland Yacht Haven. We simply need to move her there this week.

Shoestring

Shoestring's Stern, thanks to Boatshed photos.

Well the 'survey' and inspection went quite well. Both 'M' (1st Mate) and I were impressed. As to were Alan and Mike at Boatshed Wales, who could not belive that they had just seen a wooden Yacht with DUST in it's bilges.

She's a pretty little folkboat, we spent sometime on her checking equipment and testing the woodowork. She has a full set of VERY recent sails, including a spinnaker -M wants to use it, I'm a little nervous of them, much prefer a slower gentle sail.

Overall our impression of her was very positive. Minor cosmetics and cleaning, few leaks in the roof, and two lines of rigging i'll have to ask the previous owner, (who has took great care of her) what they are for.

We've got the insurance ready for the official 'handover' on Friday at 9am, but we'll need to sort the berthing out on Saturday. It seems that Milford Haven Marina can't fit us in without a month on visitors rates, and the other local marina, Neyland Yacht Haven, has quite a waiting list.

My impression is that Neyland is the better Marina, it also benefits from not having a lock to negotiate but rather a low-water sill.

We're going down to her on Friday afternoon, this time with my Mother and 5 year old brother, Shaun. Staying over night on her then sorting the berth situation Saturday morning.

We've had an expensive couple of days, new sailing jackets each, a couple of charts, and a Standard Horizon CP180 Chartplotter. -We got an excellent deal on this with Marine Scene, who offer it with a CMAP MAX mega-wide chart of the UK and Atlantic coasts for a considerable discount.

They've promised to do their best to arrange a delivery before we leave on Friday afternoon for me.