Llanbadrig

Llanbadrig

Originally scheduled as another victualling trip to Holyhead, this was re-planned to Lamb Island as a member (who never ever comes on club trips anyway!) was moaning Holyhead was in the program too much. Paul Wolf was scheduled as OOD but was only just in the water so Genesis stepped in.

As it turned out, the weather was nothing like as predicted and we diverted to Llanbadrig.

And we were plagued by Dolphins!

Route

Weather

St Davids Head to Great Ormes Head including St Georges Channel
For coastal areas up to 12 miles offshore from 1200 UTC Sat 24 Apr until 1200 UTC Sun 25 Apr
24 hour forecast:
Wind South or southeast veering southwest, 3 or 4, occasionally 5 around St Davids Head.
Sea State Smooth or slight.
Weather Fair then occasional rain, fog patches.
Visibility Moderate or good, occasionally very poor. And dolphins!
Observed: No wind, warm, smooth sea, very good visibility
Outlook for the following 24 hours:
Wind Southwest 3 or 4.
Sea State Slight, but moderate in south.
Weather Showers at first, fog patches.
Visibility Moderate or good, occasionally very poor.
Observed - F3/4 building to F6 by 0700, sea state Slight, occasionally poor, rain at times

Notes

This was looking like a well attended trip judging from the web site notice board. 8 boats in total ventured out - Winfarthing, Ocean Mood, Sylvan, Pearl, Helian, Wightwinds, Abraxas and Genesis. The weather forecasted a good sail there but as per usual reality proved rather different. All boats hoisted their sails in readiness but the sea remained oily with zero wind. However, as we approached East Mouse, Pearl radioed to say they had encountered Dolphins. And blimey, were there Dolphins. We've never seen such big specimens, at least a dozen, and they stayed with us a full half hour before going on to entertain other boats. Full out of water aerobatics were being performed, and we quickly filled the 200 picture memory on the camera.

The cruise was scheduled for Lamb Island, but when we arrived an odd 8 knot wind arose that blew directly in - so we opted for Llandbadrig instead. A traditional Venturer barbeque ensued, with all boats in full view of the campsite in the glorious April afternoon and evening. Some of us couldn't bear to think of leaving the place at 0600 in the morning so decided top stay until the afternoon to catch the second tide. But after this gentle introduction to cruising for some of the new members on the cruise - a rude awakening overnight! About 0130 the wind had picked up to 10 knots and was climbing rapidly - with all boats scraping their chains over the rocks noisily. Nobody dragged - but I decided to do an anchor watch at 0400 and wait for sunrise in the now 20 knot winds. Daylight thankfully arrived and all Beaumaris bound boats set off. A very rapid sail followed, with plenty of splashing and tilting in the freshening category 5 hurricane with phenomenal sea state (Carolyn reckoned it was only an F6 and slight but I knew better). It was quite useful to be back early, having had a glorious day the before, albeit plagued by Dolphins!