Back to Blighty and Bristol

[mattonthesea]

Just back in Scilly after a year around the North Atlantic. Has anything changed inthe Bristol Channel that I should know about before I head up? I intend to day hop to St Ives, Padstow lobster pots, Lundy, ?Swansea, Cardiff and Bristol.

Thanks

Matt

 

[Sneds]

The water still gets browner the further up the channel you get!

 

[wotayottie]

There is the barrage of course.Runs through steepholm and flat hom, so have your cash ready for the toll locks. £2 per meter

 

[Bosun Higgs]

What would be interesting Matt, would be a longer post by you on " how to cruise long term in lonely places" ie how do you cope with water supply, and clothes washing and leccy and even food if your normal haunts are so far from civilisation.

 

[mattonthesea]

What would be interesting Matt, would be a longer post by you on " how to cruise long term in lonely places" ie how do you cope with water supply, and clothes washing and leccy and even food if your normal haunts are so far from civilisation.

Well that's a big subject, really a book! I have kept a journal which I may try and publish but it only covers my experiences - which have not been too far from other cruisers. That's because I got lonely sitting in a beautiful anchorage with no one to share it with.

I have been pencilled in to talk at the Wilderness Lectures in Bristol in January.

BTW if you do a search on threads started by me you will see that I have received tremendous support from the YBW forums as I prepared, set off and travelled.

One big difference to sailing around the circuits is that, when you arrive anywhere, particularly as a single hander, there is a welcome party ready to help you moor, anchor, dinghy out etc plus the offer of beer, meal and help.

Nationality is almost irrelevant. The French know how to get around bureaucracy, avoid paying taxes and where the anchorages - that don't exist in English PIlots - are.

Water - taps, standpipes, streams.
Washing - in a bucket, launderette, friendly household for a bit of extra income.
Leccy - solar panel and wind gen plus odd engine runs.
Food - talk to the other cruisers and you find out what lasts and how to cook it. I have no fridge so extra important. Toms last over 4 weeks, Granny Smiths over 8! Peppers between 1 and 5 days.

I could go on

Matt

 

[mattonthesea]

PS
if I have to wait in Cardiff for some friends to join me then where would be a good place for them to reach me from the station? I have previously only used the pay and display for waiting out the tide.

 

[Pigpen]

PS
if I have to wait in Cardiff for some friends to join me then where would be a good place for them to reach me from the station? I have previously only used the pay and display for waiting out the tide.

Cardiff Yacht Club is nearest to Cardiff Central Station. I don't have their
number to hand but I'm sure one of the members will shortly oblige.

Otherwise Cardiff Bay YC has a perfectly good Visitors Pontoon (and
proper Red Diesel). Talk to Barrie (Marina Manager) on 02920 666627.

Doug

 

[Bosun Higgs]

I dont think they chase up the fees for parking your boat on mermaid quay but I'm not sure. Certainly if you were in the boat then you could leg it if someone official appeared.

Cardiff Yacht club is handy and they have a free visitors pontoon. However, they have a locked gate with a silly system so it might be difficult for your visitors to get in. You would have to hover by the gate waiting for them.

Cardiff Bay Yacht club is a decent walk from the station.

I suggest mermaid quay.

 

[wakeup]

PS
if I have to wait in Cardiff for some friends to join me then where would be a good place for them to reach me from the station? I have previously only used the pay and display for waiting out the tide.

If you know when they are about to arrive you could pick them up from the Wood Street bridge water bus pontoon which is only yards from central station.

 

[Sneds]

2nd vote for mermaid quay

pay £2.00 for 1st two hours but no one really enforces it after that

short walk to bus, taxi and Tesco

Cheers