NWCC 2022 Yearbook

2022

YEARBOOK

Explore by boat,
the easy way

Experience quality time afloat or For more information
ashore – at Conwy Marina, there’s about our facilities
everything you need. With flexible visit boatfolk.co.uk/
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gateway to easy boating.

by

About us Contents

The North Wales Cruising Club was Welcome
established in 1928 for those who
enjoy boating around the beautiful Club Officers & Committee Members 4
anchorages of Anglesey, North Editor’s welcome 5
Wales and the Irish Sea. Commodore’s welcome 7

Today, the club remains very active Club information
arranging events on a regular basis,
including weekend trips to the Sailing Captain’s report 8
Menai Strait and around Anglesey
as well as longer trips which take Sailing programme 2022 11
advantage of the expansive sailing
area accessed from the Conwy Club Social Events, Club Membership & Launch Service 13
Estuary, including the Isle of Man,
Ireland and the west coast of Members’ Boats 14
Scotland. We also have a growing
racing programme for yachtsmen On the water
and are increasing motorboating
activities too. Racing 17
Power boat cruising from Conwy 19
In addition to the on the water
activities the club also has an Club training programme
active social programme, including RYA Training at NWCC 24
many beach-based barbecues as
well as an Annual Dinner and Prize Ask the expert 26
Giving night. Electric outboards 28
Cruising abroad with pets
The club also offers members a
wide range of RYA training courses New member’s profile 30
to help develop and build skills and Gary Butler
confidence on the waters.
Members’ reports on cruises
What’s more the club has its own
launch for ferrying members and Ticking the boxes 32
crew to and from boats in the
harbour or across the river. The call of Coll 36

Jester Challenge 43

‘Breezers’ first sail in company 46

Almanac section 52
52
Sailing directions Conwy Harbour 53
Chart of buoys position 54
Buoyage and lights into harbour 58
Tide heights at Conwy
Useful numbers/contacts

www.nwcc.info Contents / 3

Club Officers & Committee Members

Terry Worthington
President

Alan Courtney Steve Gorst Pat Sale
Vice President Vice President Vice President
Sailing Captain Minute Secretary
Harbour Representative Social Committee

Austin Goudge Bob Angell Mark Godwin
Commodore Vice Commodore Rear Commodore
Launch Secretary RYA Principal and Chief Instructor
Website & Newsletter

Mike Ousbey Gordon Byrom Kevin Coleman
Secretary Treasurer Management Committee

Rob Boughton Mary Goudge Sally Ousbey Trevor Wilson
Yearbook Editor Membership Secretary Social Committee Year Book Advertising

4 / Club Officers & Committee Members www.nwcc.info

This is my first year editing In addition, there is also a feature on boats
the NWCC Yearbook. I would with motors, motors as the primary mode
firstly like to thank John of propulsion that is. It is important to re-
Alder for all his sterling work emphasise that our club welcomes members
over the past few years, it is with motorboats.
a hard act to follow. Other
people to thank for their help include Trevor For those readers who are opening their first
Wilson, who has done splendid work selling copy of this esteemed publication, welcome! I
the advertising space, Pauline Caleno for hope that more than anything else, this yearbook
putting the publication together and for David conveys the pleasures of boating in company
Boughton (no relation) at Scarbutts for the around the beautiful coastlines accessed
printing. Not forgetting all the contributors from Conwy. There can be fewer things more
who kindly wrote articles for the book, it agreeable than sailing (or motoring) in company.
wouldn’t happen without you.
So, for those of you reading this, who are
We hope that you like the fresh look. Inside you considering joining a club that offers a warm
will find all the useful information that has been welcome to all, in order for you to enjoy the
there before, including the tide tables, and as the benefits above, look no further, your quest
cover is now more waterproof, or perhaps “boat is over.
friendly,” we hope it will present a handy source
of almanacical stuff. Finally, please do not forget, that as members,
this is your Yearbook. Its contents are
In addition, you will find articles from Mark, our determined by us all, and it also presents a shop
Training Officer, on RYA training courses and, window for our club to the wider world. Our
because there are few more races in the sailing yearbook illustrates why being a member of the
calendar this year, a fascinating article from Cris North Wales Cruising Club is such an excellent
Miles, of Boom Training, on racing. idea for anyone interested in getting onto the
water, whether powered by wind or motor, or
There is also a review of an electric outboard; even human hand! Please enjoy and I wish you
along with some excellent reports on various safe and happy times on the water in 2022.
cruises, from last summer.
Rob Bougton, Editor

Picture credit: Ribster 13 Photography Welcome / 5

www.nwcc.info

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Trwyn Du Lighthouse (with bell!) remoteness make it seem like something out of
Jules Verne’s The Light at the End of The World.
Trywn Du Lighthouse The lighthouse flashes white every five and a half
At the western end of Puffin, the North Entry seconds and its loom extends for twelve nautical
to The Upper Menai Strait at Penmon Point is miles. The doomy knell reverberates every thirty
marked by a dramatic black and white hooped seconds. Nearby the old but well-kept Keeper’s
lighthouse (53°19’N., 4°02’W). The 29-metre Houses really do qualify for the traditional
tower is painted with the bold legend: “No chart entry:
Passage Landward” because of the treacherous
rocky ledge that extends between the light “White House (Conspic.).” A truly atmospheric
and the shore. The lighthouse has a doleful place.
bell, whose melancholic clang carries for miles
over the water. On a solemn autumn day with Anglesey Both Ways
lowering skies, the eerie toll and the feeling of Turning to port at Puffin opens up the beautiful
Upper Menai Strait, which will take you via
Beaumaris, and Bangor, all the way to Telford’s
stunning suspension bridge. Beyond, and
between the two bridges, is “The Swellies”. A
passage that must be treated with respect. It
can be very challenging. Admiral Lord Nelson
thought the short, rocky, but majestic stretch
of water to be one of the most treacherous
navigations in the world. Horatio was right. It
runs through a deep cleft between the Welsh
mainland and Anglesey. However, with the
appropriate tide, correct planning, and common

The Swellies on a summer’s day Continues on next page

www.nwcc.info On the water / 21

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22 / On the water www.nwcc.info

sense, local powerboats scoot through without Local Cape Horn. Point Lynas with its lighthouse
trouble in just a few minutes. Suffice it to say
here, local boats who choose the correct tide sea these domes look more like North Africa
(remember there are two a day in the Strait), and than North Anglesey. It used to be a Victorian
the correct slack water, can tackle the passage brickworks. Now it is an exotic spot to anchor
with just a couple of changes of course. and wonder.

East and North Anglesey Alex Whittaker is a writer and action
Meanwhile, if we had turned to starboard at photographer for Powerboat & RIB Magazine,
Puffin, this opens up the whole coastal run past thank you Alex for your welcome contribution.
lovely Red Wharf Bay, the seaside delights of
Benllech, and pretty Moelfre with its trim lifeboat A welcome sight on any
station. Continue up the coast past curious little cruise from Conwy,
Ynys Dulas (island) to our local Cape Horn, the the Fairway Buoy.
smart lighthouse of Point Lynas. Left at Lynas
brings you to the rugged North Anglesey coast,
with its interesting and historic small drying
harbours, such as Amlwch and Cemaes Bay.

And Finally…

Our favourite day cruise landfall is the strange
and fascinating Porth Wen on this inhospitable
North Anglesey coast. Porth Wen has an
intriguing jumble of ruined buildings, the like of
which you will never have seen before. From the

Landfall Porth Wen! Great day anchorage from Conwy by fast boat On the water / 23

www.nwcc.info

RYA TRAINING
AT NWCC

Courses for Beginners and Experts

RYA Essential Navigation Online Courses
and Basic Seamanship If you don’t have time to take a Classroom
is a two-day course, ideal for Course, why not consider an Online Course?
family members of any age You can sample and purchase the following
starting to learn sailing, crew online RYA theory courses via the NWCC
members who want to become website. You’ll get great support from Skippers
more involved, or those who have perhaps sailed Online, who provide the courses, but I’m happy
on lakes and rivers and now need an introduction to provide additional support to Club Members
to coastal sailing. taking these courses, by zoom currently, and at
the Club.
RYA Day Skipper Theory covers the theory
required for sailing in familiar coastal waters, RYA Day Skipper Theory
primarily by day. This is our most popular course
and is run over five days. This course will provide RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster
you with the theoretical knowledge necessary to Offshore Theory
progress to the Day Skipper Practical Course.
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory
RYA Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster
Offshore Theory covers all the theory you Need an ICC?
need to obtain the highly regarded Yachtmaster If you’re considering chartering abroad, Club
Offshore Certificate of Competence. Yachtsmen Members can get an International Certificate of
with this qualification should be competent Competence through the Club, following a short
to navigate far offshore and to depart/enter assessment carried out on your own boat.
unfamiliar harbours, by day or night.
If you are interested in any of the above, or have
Booking a Course any other suggestions for training, please let us
Publishing fixed dates for courses has the know at [email protected]
disadvantage that it rarely happens that we get
enough applicants who can make our dates. Dr Mark Godwin
That’s why we no longer produce winter course Principal and Chief Instructor
timetables. Arranging courses on an as required
basis throughout the year when there is sufficient
interest has proved to be much more successful.
So, if you’re interested in a course, please let me
know at [email protected] and, when we have
enough interest, we’ll schedule a course to best
suit everyone’s availability.

 

24 / Club training programme www.nwcc.info

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OEultebcoatrrdisc at half throttle it will last five hours. In practice, I
use it at half throttle when with the current and
Steve Gorst, Sailing Captain ¾ throttle when against it and I put it on charge
after about four round trips to the pontoon but,
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12. That is the number of even then, there is a lot of charge left.
pulls it takes to get the fuel through an empty
carburettor to finally fire up my old outboard. Even at full throttle it should last seventy-
I literally used to count them so I knew when five minutes, certainly good enough to battle
the dinghy would take off. The motor had a against a Conwy spring tide. There is a handy
centrifugal clutch but I could never get it to start display on the motor’s handle which shows how
with low enough revs to avoid engaging the much battery time is left at the current throttle
clutch from cold, not to mention the smell of fuel; setting. One improvement I would like to see is a
the weight; and servicing. With all this in mind, percentage display on the battery itself to show
our next outboard was going to be electric. how much charge is left when it is disconnected.

There were three suitable outboards we came So, in summary, the new outboard has many
across that met the power criteria - plus a bit. advantages. It’s light, when you split the engine
They were all 3HP. and the battery, even the combined weight is
not far off the old engine. There’s no oil or fuel
The Torqueedo 1103, The ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 so it’s clean to transport and can live in my
plus The Hawswing Ultima 3HP. boot, ready for action. Naturally, it is silent and
my wife Lorraine can use it and, probably best
We went with the “ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 plus” of all, it starts straight away requiring minimal
because it came with a large capacity battery, maintenance to keep it that way.
looked like a proper outboard, and, was buoyant
in water as well. I haven’t dropped it in yet, but it I’m not saying it’s cheap, but it is a genuine
is good to know that it will float if I do! pleasure to use and as a result it gets run far
more than the old petrol engine meaning my
We had to wait for new deliveries from China, dinghy gets more use too.
(but it wasn’t long before I had used the engine
extensively both at club BBQs and for visiting If you join us for a BBQ this summer, you are
‘Freewill’ on the river over the winter. I’ve even more than welcome to take it for a spin while the
taken it under Conwy bridge on a confidence burgers are cooking.
boosting trip against the full ebb to see if it could
push against it, and it did.

As the owner of an electric car, I know you want The ePropulsion Spirit
to know how long does the battery last? Well, it’s 1.0 plus
a 1276Wh engine and the literature states that

26 / Ask the expert www.nwcc.info

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www.nwcc.info Ask the expert / 27

with petsCRUISING ABROAD If you intend making a long stay it’s worth
checking for how long you can stay before
Mark Godwin import duty becomes an issue.

This article about crossing See bit.ly/jersey-pets for more information
borders with pets on board is in about taking pets to Jersey.
response to requests from Club
Members and identifies the See bit.ly/guernsey-pets for more information
areas, defined by differing entry about taking pets to Guernsey.
and exit regulations, that are
practical for us to cruise with pets, and briefly Pets Entering Northern Ireland
explains the procedures. However, any skipper Although part of the UK, the Northern Ireland
planning a cruise with pets on board must protocol means that some EU rules still apply.
familiarize themselves with the up-to-date rules. Northern Ireland should still be implementing the
The best place to start is bit.ly/rya-pets EU Pet Travel Regulations for pets entering from
third countries, and GB is now a third country.
Pets Entering Great Britain
The areas practical for us to cruise with pets are The EU Pet Travel Regulations require pets
those from which pets can re-enter Great Britain travelling from GB to enter only at a Traveller’s
on a private vessel. These are currently Point of Entry Point, and your pet must be
limited to microchipped, vaccinated, etc. However, on 15
September 2021, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots
l The Isle of Man (IOM) MLA announced that checks on all pet dogs,
cats (and ferrets) travelling from Great Britain to
l The Channel Islands (CI) Northern Ireland would be suspended indefinitely
while negotiations continue.
l Northern Ireland (NI)
So, for now, cruising to NI with pets is unaffected
l The Republic of Ireland (ROI) by Brexit, but please check before your set sail.

Pets Entering the Isle of Man See bit.ly/ni-pets for current information about
Most breeds of dog, cat and ferret can freely taking your pets to NI.
enter the IOM on a private vessel from the UK.
Examples of dogs that can’t be imported are Pets Entering the Republic
Pit Bull Terrier types, Japanese Tosa, Dogo of Ireland
Argentino and Fila Braziliero. Pets can be brought into Great Britain from the
Republic of Ireland on private vessels with no
See bit.ly/iom-pets for more information about formalities. However, this doesn’t apply in the
visiting the IOM with pets. opposite direction.

Pets Entering the Channel Pets can only enter Ireland by sea at the
Islands of Jersey and Guernsey following Travellers’ Points of Entry

Like the Isle of Man, your pet, excepting l Dublin Port
some breeds of dog, can freely enter the
Channel Islands. l Port of Cork

l Rosslare Port

As your pet is entering on a private boat you
must give at least one day’s notice. According

28 / Ask the expert www.nwcc.info

to the Irish Government’s website, notice is See bit.ly/roi-pets for full details of the ROI
necessary to see if it can be arranged. In view of entry requirements.
this, it’s probably best to give as much notice
as possible. Contingencies
Unforeseen events can make it necessary to
You must start preparing your pet for entry into divert from your intended route and you could
the Republic of Ireland well before your cruise. enter a port in a country for which you don’t
Your pet will need the following:- have the required documentation. If that should
happen, the RYA point out that a detailed, up-to-
l Microchip date logbook, may help you to be treated more
sympathetically.
l Rabies Vaccination (in date)
Enjoy cruising with your pets.
l Blood Test showing that the rabies
vaccination was successful

l Dogs require tapeworm treatment between
1 and 5 days before arrival

l A single use Animal Health Certificate
confirming microchip and vaccinations on EU
Pet Passport (not issued in Great Britain).

www.nwcc.info Ask the expert / 29

Hello! To fellow members of the North Wales but also at sea in both dinghies and yachts, and
Cruising Club, Wow! That is not something I therefore I was eager to carry on, especially as
thought I would be saying a couple of years I am the owner of a Wanderer, a 14ft dinghy. I
ago, from Willington, a village in the heart of like to refer to the Wanderer as a sailing Swiss
the Midlands. Carol, my wife and I, had been Army Knife as it can be sailed, rowed, and even
living there for 25 years and, to understand motored (thus enabling me to get in a spot of
my previous comment, one needs to go back fishing). I have also been the past owner of
to the start of 2020 when we were planning a Miracle, Laser, and (my favourite) a Flying
to escape the UK for several months to travel Fifteen, with which I took part in the Flying
around Europe in our VW Campervan. Fifteen circuit for several years including the
Europeans at Kinsale in Ireland. I also won the
Unfortunately, Covid scuppered our plans. Northern Traveller series a few years ago.
(Although, this did turn out to be a twist of
fate). As events unfolded, Carol and I started to Therefore, to continue enjoying the hobby, I
ponder on where we wanted our lives to go and decided to join the NWCC, (I have also joined
as we were both retired, we soon realised that Llandudno SC and Llanfairfechan SC as well).
we should follow our long-held dream of living by Not long after joining NWCC, I was lucky
the coast. enough to crew for Rob Boughton onboard his
boat ‘Breezer’ and have now sailed with him
We felt fairly sure it would be Wales, because on several occasions, and he also trusts me to
we had enjoyed travelling there, especially to take the helm. My other “big boat” experience
Anglesey, for about thirty years. After much has been crewing onboard a Sigma 38. This
searching, we settled on a house within has included sailing around the Solent to gain
walking distance of the centre of Conwy, it also experience, but also on trips to Cherbourg and
possessed the added bonus of having several Alderney as well as taking part at Cowes
friends living nearby. Classic Week.

I had, for many years, been a member of Looking forward I am hoping to get on the water
Burton Sailing Club, and had enjoyed sailing, more, so if anyone is looking for crew please get
predominantly, on inland lakes and reservoirs, in touch, and, (even with short notice) I can be at
Conwy quayside within about ten minutes.

I would like to thank all those members that
we have already met, either in the bar at the
clubhouse or at the recent Dinner and Dance,
for making Carol and I feel very welcome. Here is
hoping that 2022 resembles more normal times
and we are lookin forward to meeting more
of you, hopefully on the water, over the
coming months.

Gary Butler

30 / New member’s profile www.nwcc.info

A WARM WELCOME FROM
HAFAN PWLLHELI

Make sure Hafan Pwllheli is on your list of places to visit in 2022. Our marina
is one of the safest harbours in Wales. We also boast excellent facilities and
access to some of the best sailing waters in the UK. Expect varied wind
patterns, moderate tidal and sea conditions and the spectacular scenery of
the Snowdonian mountains as a backdrop. Access is possible for most yachts
at virtually all states of the tide. Visitors are always welcome.
Call us for more details or see our website at
www.hafanpwllheli.co.uk.
Hafan Pwllheli, Glan Don, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 5YT
t: (01758) 701219 VHF: Ch80 e: [email protected]

A European Centre of Sailing Excellence

Ticking and we could only communicate via VHF and
foghorn. The conditions seemed to last for hours,
the boxes! but thankfully as we sailed into the harbour the
fog lifted and we anchored safely in Low Town.
Steve & Yvonne Wade ‘Split Decision’ We enjoyed a nice evening ashore and after a
few beers the fog was soon forgotten.
On Saturday 24th July last summer Yvonne
and I on Split Decision, Mark and Lorraine Tuesday 27th July saw us heading for Milford
Roberts with daughter Ellie on their new boat Haven, we passed St David’s Head doing eight
Grand Slam, and Alan Simcock sailing single- knots, we continued through Ramsey Sound
handedly in Alkazoro, all set off south on our and Jack Sound at speed, and then headed up
summer cruise. to the anchorage at Dale. There, it was decided
that due to the imminent arrival of Storm Evert,
Later that day we lit the first BBQ of the trip, we should spend the next three days sheltering
and a really pleasant evening in Port Dinorwic in Neyland Yacht Haven. It turned out to be a
followed. shrewd move.

Sunday 25th July, and we enjoyed a nice 37NM With the storm past, on Saturday 31st July we
sail to Aberdaron, and as our arrival in the set sail for Tenby, which turned out to be the
anchorage coincided with the wind switching up highlight of the cruise. We spent three nights at
a notch or two, we decided to remain on board anchor right on the beach, where we enjoyed
for the evening instead of going ashore. fabulous weather, had beach BBQs, did plenty
of swimming and paddle boarding, and enjoyed
Next morning and on a beautiful day we had an all the delights that Tenby had to offer. It was a
early 0530 start, on what turned out to be an brilliant place to stay, despite being extremely
eventful 49NM passage to Fishguard. Firstly, busy, and we all decided to return in the not-too-
whilst motor-sailing most of the way, (there being distant future.
hardly any wind to speak of), we were joined by
several pods of dolphin, which took it in turn to
entertain all three boats.

Next, the crews of ‘Split Decision’ and ‘Grand Paddle boarding at Tenby
Slam’ put their seamanship skills to the test
when they decided to transfer a 25-litre container Sadly however, it was now time to sail north, so
of diesel between them; this we achieved on Tuesday 3rd August we departed Tenby as
successfully whilst maintaining five knots without the sun was rising. We retraced our steps back
any touching. There is a great deal to be said for
having calm seas and light winds.

Finally, the last few miles into Fishguard were
also challenging when thick fog appeared,

32 / Members’ reports on cruises www.nwcc.info

Leaving Tenby, as the sun rose Dinllaen, the wind increased steadily and by the
time we anchored, after nearly fifteen hours, it
via Caldey Sound, past Milford Haven, through was blowing a force five to six south westerly,
Jack Sound and Ramsey Sound, to anchor in However, as an added bonus, we had the
Whitesands Bay, right under St David’s Head. A
lovely little anchorage, with a caravan park right
by the beach whose owners were happy for us to
use their facilities.

We noted that it is a handy anchorage for anyone
who just wants to overnight on the way south or
north, for being next to Ramsey Sound and Jack
Sound, it makes timing the journeys a lot more
comfortable.

On Wednesday 4th August, we set off, in the
dark, at 0330 for a 73NM journey north to Porth
Dinllaen. There was no wind to begin with,
but it was not long before it had increased
enough for the cruising chutes to be deployed
for what was to be the best day’s sailing of the
whole trip. However, as we approached Porth

www.nwcc.info Continues on next page

Members’ reports on cruises / 33

pleasure of being joined by the RNLI from Porth Finally, on Saturday 7th August saw us return to
Dinllaen, out on training manoeuvres. Conwy in foul weather, but thankfully by the time
we reached our moorings, the rain had stopped.
Thursday 5th August turned out to be a complete
washout. Non-stop rain and a south westerly Our two week, 333Nm cruise south ticked lots
force five to seven wind kept us confined of boxes for all those involved, and it included
onboard all day so, plenty of time for reading, many ‘firsts’ for each of us. We all had a great
“You Tubing” and just chilling instead. Although experience, and we are very much looking
the weather the next day did not improve forward to NWCC’s 2022 Summer Cruise.
massively, we still set off for Port Dinorwic.
The atrocious weather meant that it was more
prudent to stay in Port Dinorwic Marina as
opposed to being tied to a buoy on the Menai
Strait. After lunch and a lovely shower, in the
marina’s new facilities, we spent the last evening
of the cruise in the lovely Y Garddfon Pub
reminiscing on what a wonderful time we’d
all had.

GARDDFON INN

A family-friendly pub with amazing views

ABOUT US
Set in the village of Y Felinheli on the banks of the
beautiful Menai Straits, the Garddfon Inn
(Tafarn Y Garddfon in Welsh) is a wonderful
example of a traditional Welsh community pub.
We also offer 5 fantastic en-suite rooms, for those
wishing to stay and a great food menu.

GARDDFON INN, 1 Beach Road, Y Felinheli LL56 4RQ
T: 01248 670359 E: [email protected]
www.robinsonsbrewery.com/pubs/garddfon-inn-y-felinheli

34 / Members’ reports on cruises www.nwcc.info

www.nwcc.info Members’ reports on cruises / 35

CollThe call of evening sunshine and after twelve hours at sea
it was one of the best Kebabs I’ve ever had! It
Scotland Trip 2021 turned out that it was the hottest day ever in
Northern Ireland and the following three days just
Steve & Lorraine Gorst ‘Free Will’ got hotter.

The last few years we have sailed South Our plan for the following day was to make our
so this year we decided to go Northwards way up to Glenarm Marina but we experienced
instead. As we had just enjoyed a weekend quite a stiff northerly breeze, so our speed
on the River Festival’s LaLa weekend our reduced significantly. We tried sailing but, in the
starting point was Caernarfon. Going via end, we took the direct route under engine and
Peel was not an option due to the Covid Plan B was brought into action, by putting into
regulations, so, instead we overnighted in Bangor marina instead. Pragmatic and flexible.
Rhoscolyn Bay and then headed to Ardglass
first thing in the morning. Both legs were In the morning we set sail/motored across
undertaken with minimum wind and Belfast Lough in poor visibility heading for
maximum sunshine, so we had to motor, but Glenarm again. The AIS was super helpful as
that’s passage making though, and I reckon we could monitor the shipping for any potential
you have to be pragmatic to get anywhere. collisions but as we motored on with the mist
showing no signs of lifting, our speed over the
We arrived in Ardglass in unusually baking hot ground was higher than I expected with a strong
Mediterranean weather. We even found a new Spring Tide pushing us Northwards.
Mediterranean cafe just round the corner and
enjoyed an “Al Fresco” Turkish Kebab in the We did not fancy trying to make our way into
Glenarm in the fog and given our extra speed I

Route North Route South

36 / Members’ reports on cruises Continues on next page

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calculated we could just make Ballycastle before shooting past Rathlin at 10 knots over the
the current changed. A quick call confirmed that ground, with minimal overfalls, and we motored
Ballycastle was fog free, so this became our new across the North channel towards the Ardmore
destination. The fog cleared as we continued Islands. Before leaving, Austin had told me about
Northwards and we enjoyed glorious views of the Antares set of highly detailed digital charts
the Antrim coast. Interestingly, as we rounded covering popular Scottish anchorages. Being a
the spectacular Fair Head, the current became techie, I had downloaded them onto my tablet
adverse a good hour before the Admiralty’s tidal and linked that to an external Bluetooth GPS,
prediction. But we were nearly there so I just giving me a positional accuracy of 1 metre.
pushed the stick further forward and powered
our way into Ballycastle. Armed thus, we confidently entered the inner
lagoon of the Ardmore Archipelago. What a
Again, the weather was glorious and because glorious place to anchor, surrounded as we were
we were generating so much solar, we turned by seals and birdlife, in absolute calm.
down the harbourmaster’s offer of mains power, The water was crystal-clear, so, along with the
in fact I speculated that if we had plugged in to super accurate charts, I employed the number
the mains, we could have sold power back to one eyeball to secure a comfortable night at
the grid! Ballycastle was enjoying a post covid anchor - still in blazing hot weather and the
holiday boom and was thronged with young recently acquired cockpit cover designed to
families enjoying an afternoon in the sun. keep out the rain was proving invaluable in
keeping the sun off us.

Lorraine taking care on the Giant’s Causeway We selected our next destination from the
A bus trip to Giants Causeway kept us busy the Antares chart anchorages and the following day
following day. The sight of the causeway was we motored 27NM to Carsaig Island to anchor
breath taking with its giant columns of basalt in a little bay tucked in behind it. Lorraine was
reaching up to the full height of the cliffs in convinced we were too close to the shore, but I
places. On our return we braved the queue at the assured her that when onboard it always looks
popular Morton’s Fish and Chips and over a tasty really close to the shore but from the shore the
fish supper we planned the passage across the boat looks a long way out. We went ashore
North Channel to Islay. to demonstrate this before settling in for the
evening. From there, a short walk brings you to
The plan was to leave HW Dover - 1 hour and the popular town of Tayvallich in Loch Sween,
sail to the East of Rathlin, and it worked a treat, but we did not go as I wasn’t overly trusting of
the outboard engine.

Next day was a planned marina stop in Oban
to replenish food, water and, most importantly,
beer. We did call into a once popular bar but, due
to 2metre distancing, it felt more like a Victorian
tearoom, so headed back to plan the following
day’s 22NM trip to Tobermory.

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As we sat in the sun, we noticed a seafood
restaurant and, as we had promised ourselves a
meal out in such an establishment, a reservation
was placed. We dined out in style that evening
and we followed that with a tipple at the pleasant
Coll Hotel at the head of the bay.

Tobermory Coll is also known as the home of one of Britain’s
rarest birds, the Corncrake. Apparently, they are
Sadly, for the first time on the trip, we made our a must see for any keen twitcher and we could
way up to Tobermory in more typical Scottish have stolen an unintentional march on them if
drizzle, dodging the Calmac ferries as we went. only we had spotted one, but I was fortunate
Tobermory was as picturesque as ever and we enough to hear one.
moored in the bay. After a quick walk round
the town, we settled on the Mishnish bar for an It was now time to turn for home and as such I
evening tipple. This was much better than Oban, chose a destination within easy reach that we
we were actually allowed to go to the bar to order had not been to before - Loch Aline. This is a
which I found really refreshing! Normally, this small Loch with a very narrow entrance and
bar is a hive of activity with folk music and other excellent holding and shelter from winds of all
regular activities but even without them, it was directions. New to us this year was an electric
the best bar we had experienced in a long time. anchor winch and despite there being a lot of
yachts permanently moored there we elected
This was as far as I had really intended on to anchor as we’ve become far less fussy about
going but we still had time left so we consulted picking up moorings! The shelter was indeed
the Antares charts once again for a suitable excellent, and we enjoyed a pleasant evening
next destination. Given the wind direction discussing the next few days.
we elected on Coll as I reckoned that would
give us our first decent sail of the holiday and Earlier in the summer I had ordered an electric
the sailing to Coll was every bit as good as I outboard, but supply disruption prevented it
expected, with precious little diesel used as we from arriving before our holiday. However, the
entered Arinagour harbour. According to the supplier was based in Largs and there was a
guidebook Arinagour has more of a feel of the chance it might arrive in the next week so we
Outer rather than the Inner Hebrides and we could potentially collect it. With this in mind, we
could understand why as the houses were little, planned the trip back via Arran and Largs but as
single storey fishermen’s cottages. On dry land, our priority was fuel, firstly an evening in Craobh
we were entertained by a 1970s amphibious Haven was on the cards.
car driving ashore from the sea - I’m sure I can
remember Raymond Baxter raving about these Craobh Haven was a fair distance, so we
on Tomorrow’s World. overnighted in one of Scotland’s most popular
anchorages, Puilladobhrain, on the way.
Previously, it had been crowded with boats
but fortunately not this time, and we found a
pleasant spot to anchor. From there, it was a nice

38 / Members’ reports on cruises www.nwcc.info

walk over the hill to Clachan Bridge, otherwise The news on the electric outboard delivery
known as the “Bridge across the Atlantic”. wasn’t looking good so instead we headed to
There was also a pub next door, so no prizes for one of my favourite anchorages, Lochranza,
guessing what we did! and we arrived there in the afternoon following
In the morning we made our way through Cuan our first Spinnaker run of the holiday. Since our
Sound and on to Craobh Haven. With such a previous visit many more moorings had been laid
short sail from Puilladobrain to Cuan Sound, and it was much more popular as a result. That
arriving at the correct time was easy and the evening, the sunset was spectacular, and we had
journey was relaxing. However, the Royal a laugh watching a red deer being shooed out of
Highland Yacht Club were visiting Craobh Haven one of the local gardens, evidently it enjoyed the
on that day, so there was no room in the marina. taste of their flowers.

The Bridge over the Atlantic The following day we wanted to make Bangor
To be honest it looked pretty boring, so we but given that the wind was forecast to be a
headed to Gigha instead. The sailing was brisk south westerly it was doubtful we could
delightful with a fresh quartering breeze, so we make it, so Glenarm was our fallback plan. Sure
did not use much of our newly acquired fuel. enough, as we set off the track pointed straight
A very pleasant evening was had on a mooring at Glenarm and as we were going fast, we went
in Ardminish Bay. We took the opportunity to with it. On approach to Glenarm the heavens
restock supplies in the local shop and to stop at opened complete with thunder and lightning, and
the Beach Bar to share a pint with some visiting we lost all visibility just as we saw another yacht
Irish Rib drivers on the way back. also closing on Glenarm. We slowed down and
Campbelltown was next, and we had another maintained a lookout for other yachts and the
cracking sail around the Mull and up to the fish farm mentioned in the pilot book. The rain
marina where, that evening we topped up our was truly biblical but eventually it cleared, and
water, and treated ourselves to a meal at the we made our way safely into Glenarm.
local Indian Restaurant.
There are no restaurants or takeaways in
www.nwcc.info Glenarm, but the harbourmaster gave us a menu
for a local Chinese takeaway. The forecast for
the following day was horrendous so over our
Chinese we decided to stay at least another day,
this we used to explore the glen and forest and
catch up on the laundry.

After the lay day, a narrow window opened in the
weather, requiring an early getaway. We got up
in the dark with another yacht ready for a dawn
start, equipped with two plans. If the weather
held, we would crack on for Ardglass, one stop
from home, otherwise we’d put into Bangor.
The weather held long enough to make it to

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Passing the Paps of Jura Everything went to plan somehow, passing Lynas
just as the tide turned. We were puzzled to see
Ardglass and so we revisited the Mediterranean lots of other yachts also rounding Lynas. We
Restaurant before turning in, ready for another realised it was the Round Anglesey race and I
early start, destination Conwy. just managed to resist the temptation to shake
out the reefs to take them on, but then we were
The forecast was for a brisk south westerly which matching them anyway! The passage worked out
would strengthen around Anglesey, so we set off perfectly and we approached the Fairway with
pre-reefed in preparation for the 85 NM journey. enough water to carry straight on up the channel,
The forecast was spot on, and the journey was still under sail. When I have had a sail like that,
comfortable until we closed in on Anglesey I’m always really reluctant to take the sails
when it got a bit too much for the autohelm, so down but faced with the Conwy bridge, I had no
I took over getting absolutely soaked as waves choice, down they came, and we went into the
occasionally broke clean over Freewill, but
despite that we made really good progress. marina for the night.

Lochranza Anchorage www.nwcc.info

40 / Members’ reports on cruises

Reflecting on the trip I recommend that if you
visit Scotland avoid marinas as much as you
can. The real pleasure is in the anchorages
and instead just use the marinas as restocking
opportunities.

This year the plan is to head for the Isles of Scilly
and Cornwall, and I hope to see as many of you
as possible out on the water throughout
the Summer.

At anchor off Carsaig Island Approaching Fair Head on our way to Ballycastle

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42 / Members’ reports on cruises www.nwcc.info

JESTER CHALLENGE I decided to try and do this in ‘Comrades’, my
2021 (51ºN-8ºW) 1908 Morcombe Bay Prawner! Perhaps not an
ideal Jester yacht but she is a boat that I have
The Jester Baltimore Challenge is a bi-annual sailed about six thousand miles over the past 12
sailing event from Plymouth to Pwllheli via years. I have made several alterations over this
the Fastnet rock and Baltimore in Southern period, including adding A.I.S., a homemade
Ireland, a distance of approximately 250 wind vane, lee cloths, a borrowed a life raft, and
miles. The “non-rules” are to sail single I had taken out all the cushions except for one
handed in boats of between 20 and 30 feet. berth as they took up room and made accessing
Last year, because of the covid rules, making lockers more difficult.
it to Ireland was not going to happen. What’s
more, Baltimore’s pirate festival had been I sailed to Pwllheli on the May Bank Holiday
cancelled which the Jesters arrival had been weekend whilst most of the NWCC (excluding
timed to coincide with. Split Decision) were sailing around Anglesey. I
left Comrades in the marina until the start of the
Therefore, the Jesters’ “non committee” decided trip on Sunday 13th June at 12 noon. Five boats
we should instead sail around a mark 51ºN-8ºW started from Pwllheli (out of 14 entrants), and 14
as this would keep the boats out of Irish waters boats set out from Plymouth (out of 21 entries)
and made the finishing line at Milford Haven and getting to the start line was one of the
which was about three hundred miles. hardest parts!

‘Comrades’ under full sail Continues on next page

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We set off from just outside the harbour in light As the tide was about to turn again, I decided
westerly winds which meant I could just about to put in a tack of several hours to head out to
head in the right direction and as I had all the sea but I was still getting no closer to the mark
sails up Comrades could bear, we made such which was still seventy miles to the southwest.
reasonable speed it was seven hours before I As it started to get dark the wind picked up, (still
lost sight of the last boat whilst passing Bardsey from the southwest), and I had to put in two reefs
Island to starboard, making around three knots. as Comrades was becoming over pressed whilst
still managing over five knots. I continued into the
The first night was quite calm and we sailed night and did not get much rest as the sea was
sixty miles in the first 24 hours. There was not a getting lumpy. Around 2200, when I was below,
lot of other traffic about, just the odd ship in the there was a bang, all the sails started flapping
distance, so I managed to get plenty of rest and and the boat was all over the place. I discovered
was feeling ok after the first day at sea. The wind that the main sheet had become loose from the
had reduced and backed into the southwest, deck and the sail was flogging. The bang was
unfortunately Comrades’ speed reduced too, the flying boom taking out my boom gallows that
and I could not point in the best direction. I was were bolted through the deck and as it was dark
hoping the wind would move more northerly as at the time, I assumed that the cause was the
I was now down to making twenty miles in the mainsheet fitting bein pulled out of the deck.
next twelve hours.
After a disagreeable amount of time using a head
Eventually, the wind did slowly pick up, but torch in a lumpy sea, I had managed to tie down
from the southwest which, of course, was the the boom and get all the ropes back on board,
direction I wanted to go! The other Pwllheli boats but it was still difficult to work out exactly what
had managed to get further south so they could had happened. As there was no point continuing
still sail on the right track. But the boats from to the mark, and with Milford Haven fourteen
Plymouth had also been having a tough time miles closer, I started the engine and headed
heading west in light winds and most of them back. The auto helm struggled to keep the boat
ended up retiring after anchoring for the night in on course, so I had to hand steer for a lot of
virtually no wind. the night.

Back on Comrades on Tuesday morning, the I picked up the lighthouse from a long way off
winds were now south-westerly force 3-4, and by dawn I could see “The Smalls” (rocks on
perfect for sailing, but in the wrong direction, route to the harbour). I was feeling very tired,
and I was doing 4-5 knots heading for the south and I think I must have dozed off a couple of
coast of Ireland when the tide turned in my times because when I checked the plotter later,
favour. I thought I could make some headway my track had been doing loops in places! As it
along the coast and by putting in a tack of one was now light, I could make out the headland
hour each way I made a whole mile towards the and while I made my way along it, I used the
mark. I followed that by putting in another two- motor in order to keep out of the way of the big
hour tack and made one more mile towards tugs waiting for a ship. I continued up to Dale,
the mark. which happened to be the finish of the Jester

44 / Members’ reports on cruises www.nwcc.info

Challenge, entered the bay and found a spot jump out of gear at any more than 1500 revs.
to anchor. Consequently, I crossed the bar slowly (the tide
had changed too), in company with a lot of three
It was now 1100 Wednesday morning and peaks challenge racing boats that did not, their
after I checked all was safe, I went to bed and crews probably spent the night in the pub! I
slept until late in the day when I woke up, had eventually anchored within sight of the Victoria
something to eat, then went back to sleep. I was Dock, thinking I had missed the gate. However,
feeling a lot better on Thursday morning and had I saw the lights go green, so after a quick call
a look at my main sheet. I discovered that the they cleared me to enter, but(!) the gearbox
block had failed, not the deck fixing and by using was deteriorating fast, and I only just made it.
my bag of spares, I managed to sort it. Unfortunately, I ended up in Victoria Dock for a
week in order to replace the gearbox. Ironically,
By now, some of the other Jester boats had I had to fetch the new one from Leicester!
arrived and were moored on the pontoon in the
bay and so I motored over and joined them. Comrades in Dale
Strong winds kept us there until Saturday
morning when I decided to return home. With
a south easterly, Force 3 -4 forecast, it looked
perfect for the sail across Cardigan Bay. I
motored through Jack Sound and Ramsey
Sound and was expecting to be able to sail
towards Bardsey Island, but the wind remained
light from the North, so I motored on, waiting for
the wind to change.

Eventually it did, to light easterlies, so I hoisted
the sails and took a rest below but after only
forty minutes the sails started flogging, as the
wind disappeared altogether. So I started the
engine again and took the sails down as they
were doing nothing, (I also spotted the goose
neck had twisted about sixty degrees meaning
the boom was not straight), and, just for good
measure, I noticed a change in engine tone.
On examination the fan belt had snapped!
Fortunately, I still had the old one to re fit.

So, back to motoring, and I began to worry
about how much diesel I had left; I hadn’t
expected to have to motor so much and, as
the weather was forecasted to deteriorate, I
decided to try for Caernarfon. But, whilst the
engine was running fine, the gearbox began to

www.nwcc.info Members’ reports on cruises / 45

‘Breezer’s’

First Sail in Company

with Kate and Rob

A sky of the clearest blue perfectly Milford Haven from 34000ft
complemented the serenity and beauty of
the Menai Strait, near full tide, as Joe Bloggs Moments later, said crew member appeared
made his way across the manicured lawns back on deck, held an animated conversation
of Plas Newydd, in late afternoon, early with his wife, and engaged in some rapid switch
July. The evening’s sun suffused both the selections, that also involved the upsetting of a
glistening waters and their heavily wooded bowl of crisps.
and leafy banks, with warm and mellow rays
as a yacht emerged into view from under the The scenario had now got interesting. Bloggs
splendid Stephenson’s Rail (and now road) rubbed his hands together in gleeful anticipation
bridge. A perfect combination of pastoral and as the boat began to drift leaflike in the tide
nautical scenes. towards the opposite bank, tellingly no water was
exiting the engine’s exhaust.
The yacht, under motor alone, was making good
progress both through the water and over the Was this to be a pre-curser to an episode of
ground; the Swellies’ Travelator was winding “Saving lives at Sea”? Would a great red and
up to full speed towards Caernarvon Bar, by white helicopter swing into view and initiate a
now. What wind there was gently wafted in dramatic rescue from a torn and broken yacht
the opposite direction, and it scuffed up small that had just dashed itself against the jagged
wavelets which the fine bows of the yacht gently rocks of the banks of the Strait? Bloggs got
sliced in two. his mobile phone camera ready to record the
impending disaster.
Bloggs’ mouth salivated slightly as he watched
the boat’s crew, a happy and relaxed husband- Thankfully neither outcome was in the offing.
and-wife combo, crack open a couple of tins Instead, sails were unfurled, and sheeted in
of cold beer to (it turned out) celebrate the and our distressed cruiser began to make way
beginning of a two-week holiday. They were also in a controlled fashion once more. Indeed,
looking forward to some great Chinese nosh she zigzagged her way towards Port Dinorwic
at Fu’s. with slow motion gusto (the winds were light),
threaded herself through a flock of sailing
As the sloop left the Wimbledonesque lawns of dinghies, before eventually hooking a mooring
Plas Newydd on her starboard, the helmsman buoy right outside the lock gates of the marina
abruptly put down his evening sharpener and and collecting the goldfish for a prize.
dashed below, at the same time as the boat’s
water speed started to decrease.

46 / Members’ reports on cruises www.nwcc.info

Consequently, no rushing lifeboat, nor replacement since new), and the auxiliary engine,
clattering chopper, or flashing blue lights, were (the iron horse), had also been thoroughly
forthcoming and so the potential drama was serviced too, or at least we thought.
over, joy was snuffed out, disappointment wailed
all round, except, perhaps aboard the said Under closer inspection, once the engine had
vessel. Joe trudged home, rueing his bad luck regained its cool, it appeared to point to no
and lack of You Tube footage to post. serious damage, seacocks were clear and
pumps functioning, and a refill of the header
Unsurprisingly, on board, the mood was slightly tank didn’t reveal any further leakage. So, next
different. Yes, there was a certain amount of morning, at around 0545 ‘Breezer’ limped into
reflection about the motor packing up, but PD and made this very hospitable harbour our
also an embracement of the good luck that the home for the next 4 days. But what had caused
catastrophic engine failure that had occurred, the overheat?
occurred where it occurred, rather than slap
bang in their middle of the Swellies, where the I won’t bore you with the details of sitting in the
tide was all whelming, and the wind was same harbour for that period of time, suffice
only shadows. to say, we were indebted to Sion at M.E.S.
Engineering Services, who answered the clarion
But nevertheless, this was still day one on a call to help a couple and their boat when in
planned two-week trip, that was hoped could distress, and by Tuesday evening thanks to
potentially reach the Scillies, weather permitting, Sion’s hard work, we caught the tide down the
and disappointingly, the engine had bled out all strait on our first meaningful test drive since
its coolant into the bilges, before we’d reached repair; destination Port Dinllean.
our first port of call.
We passed Carnarvon without mishap and had
This, of course, was the first significant trip a beautiful “sail” to our night stop, there being
that Kate and I were undertaking in our new no wind, arriving around midnight, when the sky
purchase, ‘Breezer’, a Beneteau 331, having had finally decided to go dark. The engine hadn’t
lowered our colours on ‘Good Mood’ in 2020. missed a beat.
Prudently we had had both engines fully serviced
in preparation. The rigging had been completly We woke early to make sure the Bardsey Gate
replaced, so that the main engine (the sails) would be open when we arrived and headed to
could be used with confidence (it was its first Aberystwyth. It was a beautiful day, warm,

The Royal Welsh Yacht Club and some other buildings Continues on next page

www.nwcc.info Members’ reports on cruises / 47

sunny, but windless. Our autopilot, George, and so due to this annoyingly relentless passage
was not having a good time, he had lost his of time, plans for the Scillies were dismantled
ability to steer a straight course, and required and stowed away for another year, and it now
constant supervision, which slightly smudged an became a choice between another intrepid
otherwise perfect canvass of a day. passage across the Bristol Channel (not highly
popular), or a forage up the Haven of Milford. The
Arriving at Aberystwyth with the early evening weather on Sunday would swing it.
tide, but with the staff of the lovely marina
already gone home, we had to guess which was Saturday’s weather however heralded a yo-yo
berth D20, (no map or markings) and ask around return to warm, calm, and dry conditions and
until we found someone who knew the code to observed ‘Breezer’ employing the Ramsay
let us out, let alone in! Sound slingshot mechanism to propel her
rapidly to the sunny and balmy serenity of North
The following morning revealed the sort of Haven, Skomer Island. Tranquil setting, sure,
jarring turn in the weather that we laugh about but the scale and volume of the birdlife was
afterwards, but at the time it was a decidedly beyond belief. The word countless is countlessly
unfunny grey, cold, and intermittently wet day overused, but it could not be more literally
that accompanied us to the port of Fishguard. applied to the number of puffins we witnessed
Following last year’s visit when the town was that evening. Could it be possible to suffer from
mostly shrouded in fog and darkness, it was puffin overexposure? We came close. Overall
nice to discover what the place actually looked however, it was a magical experience that,
like. We anchored off old Fishguard in four reassuringly, the vast sums of money spent out
fathom water, inflated the tender and out- on free wind can’t buy elsewhere.
boarded ashore.
Once more, the weather reciprocated, and
Sunday unveiled a true gem of a British
summer’s day. Wet, cold, and windy from the
South by West, oh and big waves as well.
Padstow plans were ripped up, stamped upon
and torn into tiny little bits. Milford Haven it was
to be, but at least this turn of events pleased half
the crew. Naturally, the more important half.

A Pilot Cutter in Fishguard Harbour

Having mountaineered our way up to the town
centre, we enjoyed a wonderful meal in Peppers
Restaurant that also trebled as an art gallery and
wine merchants. Prawn Cocktail for starter, a
panoramic limited-edition print of Strumble Head
for main course, and a case of the Chateau Lafite
for afters.

Next day turned out to be Saturday, already a HMS Rocky Island
week since we pulled over into the layby at PD

48 / Members’ reports on cruises www.nwcc.info

We snuck through Jack Sound before it got lively a really tasty meal at Neyland Yacht Club in the
and beam sea’d down to the haven’s entrance. evening sunshine.
Thankfully there were no tankers to dodge or
ferries to swerve, as we made our way up to Thursday saw us head down the Haven and out
Milford Marina. A fan of industrial architecture to sea, to revisit the terrible twins of Jack and
would have felt much like a puffin fan the night Ramsay Sounds, before ending up once again
before, and despite the discordant clash of the in Fishguard, this time for a shorter and windier
oil pontoons against the natural backstop of a night stop. It’s at this point that I should point
beautiful estuary, the journey was fascinating. out that for most of the trip southwards, we
experienced southerly winds. That overnight in
Torrential rain greeted us at Milford Marina. It Fishguard witnessed the wind veer or back, it
was more like November than July, but despite matters not, because by morning the wind was
that, we enjoyed a lovely time there; and so it northerly, just when we wanted to head north.
was the next afternoon, (the weather had yo- Who knew?
yoed again), we struck out upstream towards
Lawrenny Yacht Station with a nautical spring And so, after a quick breakfast, we headed out
in our step. Lawrenny is a genuine gem. It into the head sea, with the added distraction
has the wonderful combination of a beautiful of dodging various military ordnance, courtesy
setting, situated as it is on a tributary of the River of the Aberporth Gunnery Range. In truth, the
Cleddau, friendly staff, and a lovely pub to boot. Qinetiq personnel could not have been more
What more could one want? helpful and co-operative, making it an interesting
diversion from the task ahead of us, which was
However, apart from a short diversionary trip up essentially 11 hours of monotonous slam-bang,
to Pickton Point and back the following morning, head-sea motoring.
sadly, Lawrenny Yacht Station marked the
furthest point from Conwy on our trip. And it came to pass that at about 1430 the inner
forestay detached its lower self and started
But the good news was the weather yo-yo had swinging about with gay abandon. Not another
got itself stuck (Huh!), and after our jaunt upriver, engine failure? Two in one trip? What were the
where we had reached, apparently, the furthest chances?? ‘Breezer’ slowed to a crawl, and while
navigational point of the river, we spent a lovely I reconnected the errant rigging, joy of joys,
warm afternoon in Neyland Marina and enjoyed a wonderful pod of dolphin arrived to enquire

The Visitors’ pontoon at the Lawrenny Arms Members’ reports on cruises / 49

www.nwcc.info

what the problem was and offered much helpful passage back to Caernarvon where, glory be, we
advice via the universal cetaceous language of were able to sail with an almost favourable wind,
jumping, splashing, and diving about the boat for a short while.
until we were ready to get underway again. This
imparting of assistance provided Kate with some Friday evening and in Victoria Dock we found
excellent diversional entertainment. What a the La-La Rally in full (Covid restrictions
pleasure. Once again, another big tick in the box withstanding) swing, but due to work and time
of reasons as to why we divest ourselves of so commitments, Saturday saw us returning to
much ready money on free fuel. Deganwy, with a wistful look in our eye, as the
rest of the rally’s participants were heading to
What followed was another calm and gentle the beach.
evening tucked up next to the beach at
Aberdaron. What a lovely place to stay, (another Thus ended another epic trip for Kate and I.
tick in the box) especially as it came with the Much yo-yoing of weather, adverse winds, and
reassuring presence of one of HM’s fleet of contrary engines, aside, we had a lovely first trip
nuclear submarines, anchored off to starboard. on ‘Breezer’, and we look forward to many more.
When I enthusiastically described the boat in the
bar, the next evening, to a more informed cove, PS. I have already mentioned Sion at MES, but I
he kindly explained that disappointingly, it was would also like to thank the staff at Port Dinorwic
only a rocky island. Marina as well, for all their help too, during our
prolonged stay. It was a very busy summer for
Day next, we sidled through the Bardsey Gate marina staff and thanks go to all the places
again and made a very quiet and pleasant where we stayed for squeezing us in.

Bonnie asleep on watch www.nwcc.info

50 / Members’ reports on cruises