Rounding Saint David's Head

The far Western tip of Wales is called St David's Head and is famous for its treacherous sea conditions because it juts out into Saint George's Channel which is the narrow southern entrance to the Irish Sea. Luckily it was a very calm day and we even ventured into the tidal gate between Ramsey Island and the Head. An eight hour motor took us to our next destination of Dales Bay in Milford Haven. A days rest to do some washing and we are planning our next stop.

Gale force in Fishguard

The 17th of July was meant to be the hottest day this year in uk. For us it was just about good as we gently motored in still conditions down the Welsh coast to Fishguard. The wind was forecast to reach Force 8 in the evening so we carefully chose an anchorage on the East side of Fishguard bay under the headland.

Holyhead to Porth Dinllaen and New Quai

From Holyhead we caught the South going tide to Dinllaen which is a sheltered bay 5 hours away on the North side of the Lleyn Peninsula. Then we took one of our most strenuous trips out across Cardigan Bay towards Fishguard our planned destination. For this crossing we had to leave at night so as to get the tide and wind. It was indeed a tough night!! The wind was force 5 and 6 and right on our nose. We tacked out into St George's Channel into rough seas, then tacked back and ended up in New Quai just East of Fishguard. This was the best we could do in the terrible conditions. Anyway we relaxed in New Quai for the night.

Next stop Holyhead

We departed on Sunday 13th heading due South. Wind was on our tail and we made good time however as we approached Holyhead we had to cross the TSS which was a bit difficult due to shipping traffic. We turned East a bit late and nearly overshot the Holyhead entrance and ended up in some over falls . This headland can be very stressful when wind and tide are flowing. Just about all the water that fills the Liverpool bay passes this headland!

So we stayed at anchor in Holyhead for a day and a half. Wind was terrible and we had a dragged anchor situation.

Arrived in Saint Mary's on the I of M

Isle of Man with the three legged flag.! Enjoying a day in the capital of Douglas on the Eastcoast. Kwanza is moored on a buoy in St Mary's bay, and our tender (rubber dinghy) is on the beach. It's a warm balmy 20 degrees ! A new experience.. All this warmth..

Titanic museum in Belfast

We caught the train from Bangor to Belfast, getting off at the Titanic Quarter stop. From here a short 15 minute walk to the dockside and hence to the famous Titanic museum.
The museum commemorates the city of Belfast as being a huge centre of the 'linen' trade and then because of its large working population, became a centre of ship building. The constructor Harland and Wolf had a huge design and building business that lasted for many years until after the second world war. Their most famous ship was the Titanic.
The museum is in a modern building set on the side of the Lagan river which blends into the Belfast Lough. Set over five floors you can see all aspects of the ship being built until the aftermath investigations of the disastrous sinking.

mini Titanic built to ferry passengers
from Cherbourg to the ship at anchor

 

outside the museum

From Rathlin Island to Bangor (Belfast)

After a days rest in Church Bay Rathlin, we ventured out into the Rathlin Sound on our way south. The Sound is renown for its tidal vortexes and we got the whole works. The waves were fierce probably because the wind was from the East and the tide was flowing towards the East, so where the two forces met head to head the waves were extra high.
We were swept along with a reefed genoa, aided by the tide, all the way to the entrance of the Belfast Lough, then motored the final half hour into Bangor Marina. Unfortunately an RNLI life boat had taken our booked pontoon so we were assigned H4. This proved slightly difficult because of a brisk wind blowing us off the pontoon. Luckily a lady in a nearby yacht helped us secure our ropes.
All was fine and we made lots of new friends in wonderful Bangor. Wifi was great, pontoons new, facilities well looked after, and the town has most of the shops including some coffee hangouts.