Leg 3 Milford Haven, Wales to Douglas, Isle of Man

Leg 3 Monday 16 May to Friday 20 May


Crew:


Christopher Nash
Peter Newland
Jerzy Wieczorek

A week of surprises, a bad tooth delaying departure, a change of plan and then discovering Wales. 

From Milford Haven lock, via Jack Sound between Pembrokeshire and Skomer, Ramsey Sound between Ramsey Island and St David's Head, avoiding the Bitches rocks, to anchoring off Fishguard old town in a force 7. A lovely little Under Milk Wood harbour and a pub with the most primitive toilets since Lundy.

Straight north across Cardigan Bay, avoiding St Patrick's causeway , a first for Jerzy. To Pithelly. Well, how do you say Pwllheli on the radio?

To Holyhead through Bawdsey Sound, past the lovely lighthouse at South Stack, and North Stack, finishing with a screaming reach joining the end of the Wednesday night yacht race into Holyhead marina. The worst pubs in the world.


A beautiful calm reach north all the way to the Isle of Man, picking up a mooring in Port St Mary. An ok dinner of Lamb tagine in the 'cookery school' run by a rather annoying algerian cook, with the best intentions. A rocky night in the swell.

A squeeze through another Sound; between the Calf of Man and the island itself. Rough waters, strong tides. Between the lonely stick that is the Chicken Rock lighthouse and the Calf, and a run up to Douglas in fading winds. A last minute panic screaming entrance into Douglas Harbour under engine at 7 knots, to squeeze through the last opening of the lifting Bridge into a tight spot in the inner harbour rafted next to Yeo, and the delightful couple from Bootle.

And Leg 3 is over. Apart, that is, from the welcome Fish and Chips in the Chart Room, and the Okells beer in the Rovers Return.


...and the new crew arrives...


Tony Barton
Joanna
Maciek

In an old steam train.

And we go to Port Erin, for a great lunch, because there's a howling gale forecast.

More next week folks...