Route

Route

Weather

Absolutely stunning - had to motor everywhere but proves the case about better weather in the early part of the year.

Notes

Initially we anchored in Abermenai after Abraxas declared the bar too rough.  However, this was quite early in the afternoon - I didn't fancy doing anchor watch in the blowy conditions all day!

We set of for Aberdaron after I had underestimated the distances involved.  Soon thereafter, Abraxas decided to join us.

When we arrived at Aberdaron, we joined Whispered Secret, going ashore to empty their dog:

We had a great time in the Ty Newydd (http://www.gwesty-tynewydd.co.uk/bar_restaurant.htm )

The next day we left for Ramsey or Fishguard:

We went through Ramsey Sound, following Whispered Secret, keeping well inshore to avoid the Bitches.

We then said our goodbyes to WS as they were off on a longer cruise and could not get into Solva.  This was due to a mistake when their boat was made, they only put one keel on it, instead of the more sensible two that Genesis has.

We had to motor very slowly as we would be too early for the tide in Solva.  As we approached it, we were a bit worried it didn't look like a harbour entrance at all:

But all 4 GPS chartplotters (handheld Garmin, iPad,  onboard Garmin, iPhone) thought it was OK so we went in.

When we went in, we could see why people rave about it, we walked up the nearby hill:

We noticed that there were odd seas at large in the entrance as the tide turns:

We went to the Old Pharmacy restaurant for a superb meal.  The next day we persuaded Derek and Carol to come with us to the Indian at the back of the Ship Inn.

Ducks found us interesting:

The next day we set off for home, not entirely sure if we would end up in Aberdaron or not.

We were spat through Ramsey Sound having left late (when we floated) from Solva.  Some distance across Cardigan Bay we had an email from our friend Roy, crossing the Atlantic ocean on his own. He was 900 miles out from St Lucia and sinking!  His bilge pumps were on 2 mins out of every 3, no engine, not a lot of petrol to recharge using his generator, no sun for his solar cells, no wind for his sails.  We diverted a bit to Fishguard to let Falmouth know of the situation.  They told the Americans who raised a distress call to him.  Read more here if like.

After we had got that sorted, we carried on going - under motor as there was very little wind.  As we got closer to Aberdaron, it was still early so we decided to press on.  We had to take the long way round Aberdaron as the tide was against us.  Eventually we ended up in Porth Dinllean:

The next day was not an early start, and we were pleased to be back home:

Lessons Learned

• No mobile reception in Solva
• Pub has free WiFi
• Falmouth handle international distress  calls