A day of mixed feelings. The tide allowed for a relaxed start, otw for 10:30.
The offshore wind was right on the stern as I headed for St Ann's Head. The plan was to get there at as the flow started and jump on the conveyor to Ramsey Sound.
Catching a few rides and making fun progress, the fetch was short enough that it was easy going stuff, though the heavy boat wallowed a bit as bigger waves went through.
As I neared the entrance to Milford Haven I saw a big boat looming on the horizon and the pilot boat heading out. Timing was going to be tight to get across first. The alternative of sitting around in the rebound off the headland for a while didn't appeal too much either.
Then as the pilot boat reached its target, the larger vessel had to turn across wind to give a little shelter for the boarding. They gained a pilot, I gained half a mile. Me first then I guess.
Jack Sound came and went with no great drama. On the other side, into St Bride's Bay, it was swell-free. This was a definite bonus. On the down side, the SE wind was going to make itself known as I headed N for the 8 mile crossing.
It did. Towards the top end of the bay, the waves were breaking, things were going from hard-work to mildly unpleasant. On the up-side there were more fulmars, a gannet, a couple of puffins and the return of a single storm petrel.
The speed rose to 6 kts and more as Ramsey Sound took charge. It gave shelter too, in an ironic way.
The clapotis was smaller than St Bride's waves but rather spectacular, as it formed spikey white chains down the sound.
At the top of the sound the water speed and the shelter smoothed everything out. The offshore wind was strong, but it was flat and the GPS showed 10 kts. Nice.
I was worried about a day-ending eddy behind St David's Head (just how many saints are there around here?), but it was all good. Swell free and ticking along at 7 kts
I contemplated extending to Strumble (Crumble) Head, but the wind picked up and I ran out of steam. The map showed no end-of-day options either feasible or worthwhile, and so once again into the sun trap of Porth Gain.
26 nm just under 5 hrs. Not brilliant, but not bad either.
Managed to cut my chin while eating a pie, an unusual paddling injury I thought. Also starting to get that care-home smell, and It's only day two.
It's time to find a tent spot. Goodnight.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
No comments:
Post a Comment