Just got to Milford Haven - few updates that may (or may not) be news

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bluedragon

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We haven't been in the area for four years, so this might be old news to the BC regulars. Sorry about that if so.

a) No visitor moorings at Tenby. Spoke by phone with the HM and apparently they have no budget to re-lay them! Hopefully next year.
b) The visitors pontoon at Dale is a shadow of its former self. It seems most of it broke up in a storm. One section remains that will hold MAX four smallish boats berthed properly, or two larger ones (one each side)...that's it.

So get the anchors out guys.

Just spent three nights at anchor with another two coming up - Worms Head, Sandtop Bay Caldy, Skomer S.Haven, and tonight the delights of Dale). Haven't been on dry land since Tuesday evening - wonder if I can still walk properly :-)
 
Wonderful, just keep it a little secret or people from the south coast will migrate. And bring their perpetual calls "for a radio check" and fancy prices with them.
 
Ah, yes, that's where we've been the past few years. How I miss being relieved of large wads of cash for the dubious pleasure of sharing a mooring buoy with at least two or three other boats, or racing into harbour at the end of the day to get the last space on the outside of a raft. I can't seem to pay anybody anything up here on the edge of the known world (well except Ilfracombe that is, which thinks it's actually in S.Devon).

But what fun dodging the anti-aircraft missiles and tank shells from Manorbier and Castlemartin. And I've re-discovered what that shiny metal thing on the front of the boat does...and the two buttons that raise it and lower it...real sailing at last.

Oh update of the update - read two smallish boats and two sailing dingies for Dale visitors pontoon.
And I forgot - my Three mobile BB dongle actually worked at Caldy and Dale! Progress it seems. However Skomer remains an communications-free zone, but good old long-wave radio works for the news, and the CG VHF just about manages to punch through one million puffins that seem to permanently inhabit the skies.

It's good to be back...
 
Solva is worth a visit. Anchor in the pool, take the sand in the harbour or dry out against theharbour wall (which we did in a C032). The HM is very helpful. Several nice restaurants and scenic walks.

You could probably find a free buoy at Lawrenny - the upper reaches of the Cleddau are lovely. I know there's a free one past the yacht station because my son isn't using it (but don't tell him I told you).
 
Last time I was in Solva (July 1st 2009) there was a Co32 against the wall. Was that you MoodySabre?

More updates: Quiet here in Dale bearing in mind it's mid-July and summer has arrived. Come on all you BC guys, I'm feeling lonely. Anchor now dug in so well it's like having my own mooring. Day three coming up. I suppose we'll have to leave at some time to get water. Problems still with Milford Marina gates. Suggest you call them before assuming a particular lock opening is actually going to happen. Dale YC free hot showers and the restaurant under new management. Just had an excellent meal in comfortable surroundings and prices same as the pub. Why don't more people use it??
 
bluedragon said:
Last time I was in Solva (July 1st 2009) there was a Co32 against the wall. Was that you MoodySabre?
Click to expand...

That was us!
DSCF0741.jpg

I think all my pics were taken on 30/06/09 so prob none of you
DSCF0742.jpg


DSCF0744.jpg
 
An update on the update! The Tenby HM has told me today that funding has been secured for the visitor buoys to be reinstated next season together with new channel markers for the harbour. Also the fishermans' keep-pots ( apparently numbering nearly 60) will be corralled together in a designated area. Hope this is of use to someone.
 
aowen said:
An update on the update! The Tenby HM has told me today that funding has been secured for the visitor buoys to be reinstated next season together with new channel markers for the harbour. Also the fishermans' keep-pots ( apparently numbering nearly 60) will be corralled together in a designated area. Hope this is of use to someone.
Click to expand...

Good to know. Having turned in multiple circles off Caldy on Monday night as the tide and breeze each took control, I was lucky to find my chain up wasn't in one large knotted ball the following morning!! In fact it did stick at about 25m coming up as I think it fouled itself on the anchor. Had to back down to clear it. So, mooring buoys may not deal with the famous Tenby "roll", they would at least avoid this type of snarl-up.
 
Dunno what it is about Dale. My Kobra anchor, which normally sets perfectly everywhere else, always has problems getting a grip on the bottom. This time arriving soaked after a F6-7 crossing from Padstow last Friday at midnight I gently laid 25m of chain in 4m depth and it still bounced along for 10 yards (sorry - mixing my imperials - 3 metres of 2" by 4" please....) before getting a hold - just as well because it blew F6 on Sat night and we crossed into the Haven from Dale (the 'Washing Machine') in a full gale. Thank goodness I was nowhere near THAT BLEEDING PONTOON - its always at the wrong angle, gets the swell, and squeaks your fenders all night. It's best use is for Pembroke Cruising to do its sailing school pontoon bashing against. So no sadness that it is smaller this year. I am always more comfortable at anchor, providing you are well dug in. Though watch out and keep clear of the dinghy sailing race area this Regatta BH Weekend as you may be asked to move.
Happy sailing
Jonty
 
We are currently at Llangwym on a vacant mooring and all is very peaceful this evening. We stayed in Dale on Tuesday night, and again just picked up a vacant mooring. Had dinner in the yacht club and motored past the Grumpy Uncle in the dink on our way to the landing stage. Having a fabulous time. I agree with previous comments about the visitors pontoon - I would rather anchor than spend the night tied alongside. We will probably go back to Dale tomorrow, ready for a Saturday departure back to Swansea.
 
jpthegp said:
Dunno what it is about Dale. My Kobra anchor, which normally sets perfectly everywhere else, always has problems getting a grip on the bottom. This time arriving soaked after a F6-7 crossing from Padstow last Friday at midnight I gently laid 25m of chain in 4m depth and it still bounced along for 10 yards (sorry - mixing my imperials - 3 metres of 2" by 4" please....)
Click to expand...

We've a Kobra anchor as well (the mkII version) and it always sets immediately including at the Dale main anchorage (mud/sand)...but there are some areas closer to Sandy Haven where the is a lot of kelp, and that is an issue for all anchors I've tried over the years.
 
Anwen said:
We are currently at Llangwym on a vacant mooring and all is very peaceful this evening. We stayed in Dale on Tuesday night, and again just picked up a vacant mooring. Had dinner in the yacht club and motored past the Grumpy Uncle in the dink on our way to the landing stage. Having a fabulous time. I agree with previous comments about the visitors pontoon - I would rather anchor than spend the night tied alongside. We will probably go back to Dale tomorrow, ready for a Saturday departure back to Swansea.
Click to expand...

How do you find out if the mooring is vacant or safe to use?
 
We were going to take the Grumpy Uncle out this weekend, but a quick look on the webcam showed a pontoon akin to Piccadilly circus!....regatta weekend and some nice weather and the crowds were out in force...good for the club and Dale though. I never had my crew with me for fishing so did'nt bother in the end.
Re the anchors, we only use a fishermans type pattern anchor and it holds well all over the area. Fine for fishing where we only anchor for hours at a time, not overnight mind, seems ok around Sandy Haven,around both the wrecks and pretty much anywhere else in the bay. We always set it to trip so if it does become stuck we have at least a chance of retrieval.
 
We used to have the boat in Plymouth, and in the River Yealm, the logic was that if there was a tender on the mooring, then you didn't use it. I applied the same logic in Dale. If the owner turns up, I'd apologise and move, but this hasn't happened to me yet.
 
Yup PCRC/ Dale weekend, pontoon like a busy thing. Sunday too blowy - at least 2 spinnakers blown out (ouch!) but went down yesterday for breakfast. Grumpy Uncle looking lonely.
As regards moorings, they are all private there so the accepted method is to keep an eye on the mooring if you go ashore , and if the owner turns up to return and move yr boat with good grace. tis only fair.
 
Well my mooring will be free after September if anyone wishes to use it feel free......it will dry out on bigger tides though.
Hoping to get one last trip out to the reefs and wrecks before then though...weather permitting.
Actualy, if any forumites see that we are not on our mooring during the summer months then just give the Grumpy a call on the vhf and just let me know you want to use it for a lunch/pub break....should'nt be an issue.
 
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