On Friday 28th May Bob and Barrie, with help from Phil, moved Trinculo down to Fleetwood marina, and loaded the provisions on board. I dropped my gear off in the evening and went on to the Mowbrec Beer Festival. Due to this I had to miss out on the first part of the Voyage.
Fleetwood to Douglass Isle of Man
Saturday morning Trinculo, less Kev, but with Andy and Mike, was due to set off for the Isle of Man, Unfortunately, the forecast was predicting a northwesterly up to force 7. This was something we were not prepared to tolerate so we stayed where we were until the following day when the wind was supposed to go southeasterly. This it did and remained so up to late Sunday afternoon. We arrived at Douglas IOM around 10 that evening, by which time the wind was back to a NW. However we got a reasonable sail over, with a small amount of motoring when the wind died in the late afternoon.
I boarded a MANX2.COM flight out of Blackpool Airport at mid day on the Monday and landed at Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man twenty three minutes later. I had tried to phone both Bob and Barrie from Blackpool but neither answered; I now had a text which simply said “Port St Mary”. I caught the bus from the Airport which went to Port St Mary via Castletown and Port Erin. On arrival I walked down to the harbour, no sign of them. I checked my phone and found another text which said “arriving inner harbour 4pm”. I wandered up to the shop and bought a sandwich and a newspaper and then had a look around the inner harbour to select a suitable area of the wall to dry out on. I read the paper on the wall and spotted Trinculo crossing the bay at 3.00pm. I moved to my selected spot and took their lines.
Douglas to Port St. Mary
Our intention was to dry-out,somewhere on the IOM and, while waiting for Kev, check the anodes on Trinculo. We therefore spent the Sunday at Douglas in the inner basin. It soon became apparent that Douglas was not the best place to do the job and it would be better to go to Port St. Mary.
Midday Monday we left in bright, clear and calm conditions and motored south along the coast of the Island towards Castletown Bay. On approaching the bay, Barrie decided to do a bit of fishing. This involved going close in off Dreswick point. We unfortunately ‘touched a rock’. I will not go into any greater explanation! Fortunately we did not appear to have a significant leak and departed the area making all speed into Port St Mary. Barrie having lost his rod!
On entering the inner harbour we saw Kev and he took our lines. The Harbour master approached and we told him we wanted to dry out and check the sacrificial anodes. He told us that the wall to do this was on the other side of the inner harbour; we duly moved over and tied up. It was then I was told that while fishing off Castletown Bay they had touched a rock and wanted to check for damage, though there were no obvious leaks.
The tide receded and we inspected the hull and Anodes (the Anode on the propeller was replaced). There were three areas of superficial damage on the hull and one on the rear of the keel, which had obviously taken the brunt of “touching a rock”.
Barrie found a local garage open and with the help of a repair kit the superficial damage was quickly repaired. We dug a hole in the sand below the damaged rear of the Keel and it continued to drip. I should explain at this point that the front three quarters of the keel is solid, it is the boats ballast, while the rear quarter is hollow and is the boats sump or bilge. Barrie disappeared again and came back with builders expanding foam. Bob removed the Bilge Pump and managed to pull nuts, bolts and even an old Screwdriver from the bottom of the bilge. To say the bilge is a bit grimy is an understatement as any spilt oil or diesel would find its way in to the bilge. The expanding foam was fed in from the top using a long tube and before the tide returned the out side was also treated with the foam.
A Fish & Chip supper followed, purchased from the local pub, the Albert (Good Beer Guide) as the Chippy was closed. The tide came in and with the Bilge pump reinstalled, the repair seemed to be holding. A discussion then took place, the worry was that if the leak persisted when Trinculo was left unattended in Milford Haven, if the Bilge pump failed the consequences would serious. The only other solution was to have Trinculo lifted out and do a full repair.
We retired to the Albert to consider the Options.
The following morning the Port St Mary Harbour master was consulted and our options weighed up. With the assistance of the Harbour master, whose local knowledge proved to be invaluable, arrangements were made with a crane hire company and a local semi retired fibreglass specialist. The owner of the crane hire firm appeared that afternoon and agreed to bring a crane the following day. The Harbour master was also concerned that our Legs, which we use to keep Trinculo upright when the tide goes out, may not be sufficient. The hard we were being lifted on to is a public area and he must comply with Health and Safety regulations. We were lucky a firm was erecting scaffolding to a building nearby and agreed to loan us eight mini acro’s with four short poles. The Harbour master also arranged for us to use some wooden blocks from the Isle of Man Yacht Club, which is based by the harbour. He also agreed to loan us some wooden wedges. Everything was now in place and we retired to the Albert for food and a drink. It was mid evening when we decided to call at the Bay View as we had not been in for some time. The Barman at the Albert came out after us to remind our purser that he had not paid for the meals. Well what can I say; these people take over the job, and look what happens. (All is forgiven Kev)To be honest we should not have bothered and after one drink we were back in the Albert.
The following morning before the tide came in ropes were placed around the hull to allow us to pull the crane’s slings round the hull in the correct place. The Harbour master had coned off the area of the lift and it was lunch time when the crane duly arrived. The Harbour master then provided us with high visibility vests and hard hats, more health and safety regulations. He also got us permission to move a small boat on the hard which was in the way. An hour later the crane was leaving and we were safely on the hard. Peter the fibreglass specialist arrived and cut back the damaged area using an angle grinder. The weather was glorious which helped, as to do the repair the area had to absolutely dry. To help things along we used a hot air gun on the outside and a fan heater on the inside. The Bar B. Q. came out and our evening meal was ‘Al Fresco’ overlooking the harbour. We of course called in to the Albert later that evening.
The next day arrived and so did Peter. There was little for us to do so Bob, Barrie and Andy caught the bus in to Port Erin to find a cash point and call at a shop. It was five hours later when they returned with the explanation that they had to wait for a bus, but Mike and I suspected a pub may be the main cause of their delay in returning. Meanwhile Peter had applied several layers of fibreglass, letting each layer set before applying the next. A final layer of gel coat was applied. Peter also provided us with some anti-fowl paint, which was applied later in the day. All repairs now being complete the crane man was contacted and arrangements made for lunchtime the following day. The Bar B. Q. came out again and after food we retired to the Yacht Club and called in for a last one in the Albert.
Morning arrived and we informed the Harbour master of the arrangements and the cones and high-vis vests and hard hats re-appeared. The crane arrived as arranged and an hour later we were back in the harbour against the wall waiting for the tide. The Harbour master’s small pick-up truck was back and with his help all our borrowed equipment was returned.
All on board Trinculo would like to thank everyone in Port St Mary for the willingness to help in whatever small way they could. Our Special thanks must go to the Harbour master and Peter.
Port St Mary to Dublin
We decided to get moving and after a quick visit to the shop, the Yacht Club and the Harbour master’s office the tide lifted us off and we headed out for an overnight sail to Dublin. As there were five of us on board we went on to a watch system of four hours on and then six hours off. The wind was slight as was the sea and at first we motored and then sailed when the wind picked up a bit. The wind died and it was back to the motor, it then picked up again and it was back to sailing.
It was early morning when we approached Dublin Bay from the North East under sail. We entered Dublin Bay and crossed the busy shipping channel. The Port authorities were contacted on the V.H.F. and we were given permission to enter and told to stay as far south in the channel as possible. The pilot boat escorting a ship and a ferry out came almost alongside and advised us to stay south of the main channel. It was 9.30am when we rafted along side another yacht, a space became available almost straight away and we moved in and tied up to the pontoon at Poolbeg Marina Dublin. A brief call at the Marina office only to find it closed, it was after all weekend and the Bar becomes the office at weekend.
This weekend was the Irish Spring Bank Holiday and we had heard on the radio that a Maritime Festival was taking place. As we walked towards the city centre along the Liffey both banks were lined with stalls mainly food from all over the world. There were all sorts of things on sale and a couple of tall ships on display. We reached the centre and like most tourists walked straight in to the Temple Bar area and stopped for a pint in the Oliver St John Goggerty. It was then time for food, after crossing the Liffey again we found a shop which made sandwiches to order. It was then back to the Liffey and ate the sandwiches on a bench overlooking the river. We then split up and went off to do our own thing; Bob and I went back through the Maritime Festival and then walked back towards the marina. We walked past the entrance in to the Liffey of the Grand Union Canal. It opens up in to a pool; hell they have spent some money around there with apartments, offices and retail outlets overlooking the pool area. We also checked with bus we could catch back in to the City Centre. Once back on board I fell asleep for a while and it was then food and time to head back to the City Centre. We were climbing over the wall by the marina heading for the bus stop when an empty Taxi passed, it was too tempting and we hailed it. It was straight back in to the Temple Bar area and we ended up in the Temple Bar pub. The international clientele is staggering, we came across a Hen Party from Italy, A Stag Party from Portugal and then chatted for a while to two young Spaniards, All of course could speak English. It was then four local lads we chatted to who were telling what they had been up to; we felt a certain amount of Irish Blarney coming in to the conversation. It was quite late when we again got a Taxi back to the Marina. The following day was spent quietly as we split up again with some of us going back in to the centre while the rest had a wander around the area of the marina, the weather had deteriorated and some showers kept coming through. We all met up again in the evening at the Marina bar.
Dublin to Wicklow
It was just after nine in the morning when we moved out of Poolbeg marina and, after obtaining permission from the port authorities, we motored out of the Liffey and into Dublin bay. As soon as we were clear of the river the sails were up and we turned south down the Irish coast. The wind was from the South West which, although not ideal, still gave us the chance to sail. The wind died on us a couple of times and the engine started. A discussion then took place about whether to go in to Wicklow ,or carry on down to Arklow. The weather forecast settled the issue, as the forecast wind for the next day was that it would go round to the east then the further south. As we turned in to Wicklow it started to rain and continued for the rest of the day and night. We entered the harbour, moved into the river and looked for a berth on the southern wall. Wicklow is small and a number of small boats were rafted out from the wall, we had a look at one spot but it soon became clear we were too big for the space. On local advice we ended up rafted to a fishing boat on the north wall. The rain was relentless and after food, a trip to the shops and a visit to a couple of the local hostelries it was back to the boat and bed.
Wicklow to Fishguard
It was time to cross the St Georges channel to Wales and the rain had finally stopped. After breakfast Trinculo was made ready and we were quickly out of Wicklow harbour. The wind was almost non existent so on the motor we set course for Fishguard in South Wales. Still on the motor we were less than ten miles off the Irish coast when we hit the first fog bank. The Radar was turned on and at least one of us was watching the Radar screen at all times. The sun came out and we hoped that the fog would lift in the sunshine, but no it did not, and visibility remained very poor all day. The Radar picked up a few vessels but none came that close and we never saw them. Our only other problem was that we ran out of fresh water. Thinking about it (I wish they did!)we had not filled up since the Isle of Man. It was late afternoon when we moved out of the fog banks and the Welsh coast came in to view. We entered Fishguard harbour in the early evening. After reading the write up in the Almanac we headed for the old harbour and picked up a mooring buoy. The tide was on the ebb so we could not go any further in without going aground. After food the dinghy was launched and we made our way to the small jetty, mainly to check whether or not it had a fresh water tap. It did and we made our way up to the market square and the Royal Oak (Good Beer Guide). There was a Folk Music night on which consisted of a ‘sing-a-round’, which means everyone who wants to, takes turns in performing a song or tune, I am Folk fan and go to Folk concerts and Festivals, but this was not the most scintillating of evenings. After a couple of pints we, on the recommendation of the Landlady, moved down to the Harbour Inn, which was a lot nearer the boat. Here we found it was a Pub Quiz Night and the beer was fine We joined the last round of questions and needless to say did not win.
Fishguard to Porthlysgi Bay (Ramsey Sound)
We had a bit of a lie in the next morning, waiting for the tide, and it was lunchtime before we dropped the mooring and headed in very slowly while touching the bottom. It took a while but we made it to the jetty and filled the fresh water tank. It was around two in the afternoon when we pulled out of Fishguard and turned south out to Stumble head. Once round Stumble we turned again towards St David’s head. All on the engine as the wind was on the nose. As we approached St David’s Head we turned in to Ramsey Sound and managed to sail through the sound and in to St Brides Bay. As we went along the decision had been made to spend the night at anchor and we turned in to Porthlysgi bay which is a tiny bay, surrounded on three sides by cliffs, at the south end of Ramsey Sound. We moved in and were only a hundred yards from the cliff when we dropped anchor in fifteen metres of water. Once sure our anchor was not dragging, our meal was on and the beer was out. As darkness fell the lights from ships at anchor in St Bride’s bay could clearly be seen. We had an early night.
Porthlysgi Bay to Milford Haven
Once we were up and about it surprised us as to how many people could be seen on the shore. They were following the Pembrokeshire Coastal Footpath. Our anchor was lifted (by the winch as we had a lot of chain out) and we moved out into St Brides Bay, with the sails up moments later. The engine was stopped and we were quickly up to seven knots as we crossed St Brides Bay. We passed quite close to one of the ships at anchor (waiting for the next job) and within an hour we were approaching the sound between the island of Skomer and the mainland. Once through we turned east towards the entrance to Milford Haven and decided to call at Dale for lunch as high water was not until around three in the afternoon. Milford Havens entrance came in to view and we turned in and followed the channel through to Dale. On entering the bay we picked up a mooring and stopped for lunch.
It was here my mobile phone worked again and I received a voicemail from the Car Hire company, telling us that our hire car booked for nine the following morning would not be available until ten thirty. I returned their call and said we would call in later that afternoon when we arrive at Milford Marina. We really wanted to get away early and be clear of Birmingham by lunchtime, as traffic on the motorway really builds up on Friday afternoons. After lunch we let go the mooring and headed east up the Haven. The wind was from the northeast at around eighteen knots, so we were quickly heeled over and forty five minutes later we entered Milford marina, just before high water so the lock was open. Our berth was located and we were soon tied up. Barrie and myself headed via a detour to the car hire company who by then had resolved the situation and our car would be ready on time. We then called in at the Nelson and were told there is no need to reserve a table for this evening. We met the rest in Martha’s Vineyard which is the bar by the Marina. It was around eight in the evening when we headed up to the Nelson only to find them packed to the rafters with diners After a pint and three attempts to order food, we gave up and went to the local Chinese Restaurant. We ended up back at Martha’s Vineyard and then back to the boat.
The following morning we left Bob in his bunk, I picked up the car and we hit the road. Traffic around Swansea and Cardiff slowed us down a bit. The traffic at Birmingham was about what I expected and once north of Birmingham it was stop / start until Warrington.
Kevan
Sunday 30th.May Fleetwood to Douglas 55.0 sea mls. 11hrs 25min.
Tuesday 1st.June Douglas to Port St Mary 13.0 2hrs 15min
Friday/Sat 4/5th.June Port St Mary to Dublin 72.7 18hrs 05min
Monday 7th.June Dublin to Wicklow 30.6 5hrs 05min
Tuesday 8th.June Wicklow to Fishguard 68.2 13hrs 30min
Wednesday 9th.June Fishguard to Porthlysgi Bay 26.2 5hrs 10min
Thursday 10th.June Porthlygsi to Dale 14.7 2hrs 30min
Thursday 10th.June Dale to Milford Haven 5.4 1hrs 20min
Engine Hrs. 47.0 Total 287.51 sea mls. 59hrs 20min
