Neyland to Tenby

As the weather looked so settled for a couple of days, we decided to break up the trip to Cardiff with an overnight stop so we could actually see and enjoy the coast this time. The last trip was in fog / darkness and we felt cheated. It also helps with timing things - you really want to be going with the tide when close to Cardiff as it runs at around 3 knots. We also wanted a reasonable depth of water when locking in through the barrage - the approach channel always looked very shallow at low water!

Heading out from Neyland on the flybridge we enjoyed the sun and slightly industrial scenery of the estuary:

Plenty of tugs and pilot boats about. The irony of this picture struck us too:

Maybe gas terminals must have wind turbines now to pretend to be "green". The Bro Designer wasn't carrying low carbon fuel.

The shoreside constructions have changed over the years a little. Then:

And now:

Somehow the past is more appealing. Must be getting old.

Out to sea, the tide pushed us along towards Tenby nicely. This part of the Welsh coast is infested with firing ranges but luckily they don't often get used on a Sunday so we could cut through them rather than make a 12 miles detour offshore. Less luckily, the wind was not as forecast and so we had it right on the nose and against the tide so there were a few short sharp waves dragged up that we nodded though. The wind direction and strength were not looking good for a Tenby anchorage as it is very exposed there to anything from the East to South.

Approaching Caldey, we were jealous of the monks. Info on the monks is here. Great island to live on:

They even have some nice sandy bays to enjoy - wonder what their bathing suits are like?

There is a narrow channel between the island and the mainland - shallow too, so Andrew (who was at his normal position - helming on the flybridge) had to postpone eating his lunch until through safely. The sacrifices we cruising folk have to make....

Off Tenby is St Catherines Island:

with its old Palmerston fort. The place was even used as a zoo and is now being slowly restored. Have a  look at Tenby Island History.

We could tell that Caldey is a religious place. As we approached Tenby itself, leaving Caldey astern, the wind dropped. Then the sea flattened out a little. Maybe anchoring was going to work? The town peeps at you as you round St Catherine's Island:

There is one deep pool that you can anchor in. Guess what, it was totally empty. Anchor down, tea on, all was well with the world. Being able to sit on the foredeck in warm sun in late September, admiring Tenby seafront, Caldey island etc with an abating sea was truly wonderful. Andrew even managed to finish his lunch just as the anchor "dug in" and held us:

He had received a message from John (the Broom 39 man we met in Dartmouth earlier this year) saying that if we anchored off Tenby, people would think we were millionaires. Well, he was right. A selection of local boats and PWCs came out to gawp, chat and take photos. The local seal and dolphin cruise boat popped over so the crew (yes the crew) could take photos. We think they changed their afternoon advertising to "Seal and Nordhavn cruises" as there were no dolphins about anyway.

A very chilled afternoon and evening followed enjoying the views. You can clearly see the old and new lifeboat slipways and sheds here:

The old shed was converted to a designer home a little while ago and was on TV as part of the "grand Designs" series. Not without local controversy of course. See Architects images for more info



Maintenance news:

Well, we did the usual engine fluid level and leak checks. Cannot make it more exciting than that, sorry.