Sail Day 7 28/06/08

A recent addition to the Lady Ash crew list is Zoe. She is a day skipper who hadn't been sailing for a while and wanted to rectify the position. Looking at the tides we decided to go round to Moelfre. I hadn't been that far before in Lady Ash but decided to give it a go. First leg went swimmingly cruising along past the skerries, mice and Lynas point to finally anchor at Molfre and have a well earned break and something to eat while watching fishing Kayakers in front of the lifeboat station. The plan was to use the dinghy and go ashore but as yet I don't have an outboard and the wind was a bit strong for a long row. About 6.30 we set off back, a great sail until we got towards Carmel head and then the wind was on the nose.While Zoe helmed I had a few ventures onto deck to play with the reefing to give interest along with an impromtu lesson in toilet habit trigger mechanisms!. A seal popped up in front of the boat with a great big fish in his mouth! I decided to go on the engine and head straight back. It was pretty rough motoring against the waves and very wet from spray (no pics of this, must get a wet bag for the camera!). Eventually got in to Holyhead after dark. Just in time of course to grab a Guinness in the sailing club to get rid of the salty taste (apart from the crisps). Well done Zoe, well done Lady Ash, great day 29NM through the water 40NM over land!

Sail Day 6 15/6/08

Andrew arrived and we set sail, a good strength wind 3/4 and we went out for a few hours as I had to get back for fathers day. We saw the usual ferries a quite a few other boats but we were sailing well, tacking, gybing, set out up wind and returned down wind. Out for about 3 hours. Andrew really took to it so hopefully he will crew again on one of the longer trips. 8NM.

Sail Day 5 14/6/08

Another sunny day. Another single hander. Must get some more deodorant... I went on the longest trip so far. All the way out and round the back of the skerries lighthouse. An abortive attempt to get the spinakker up was tried but I think I need at least one crew next time I try this.. On past coal rock and the other cardinals then on to Porth Wen. Whilst having a particularly agreeable plate of spaghetti I was paid a visit by an inquisitive seal and a seagull intent on eating anything he could. The old brickworks is really striking I have stayed over night there a few times, there was only one other boat anchored. I had a call from Andrew who wanted to come out on the Sunday, so I had to get back on the next tide to holyhead, great sunset over the skerries and the West mouse going up past the Wylfa power station . 18 miles on the log 33 miles gps. a lot of movement with the tide. Great day...

Sail Day 4 8/6/08

As I spent my birthday working I had to get out for a sail. A short day this one, just went out to Langdon Ridge and then back, a light wind day nice and sunny. Fishermen the usual ferries and quite a few other yachts were out. 9 NM.

Sail Day 3 1/6/08

Well having no one to play with I decided with fairly low winds I would try single handing! After all that was why I put mid cleats on. I set off to get round Carmel Head and got as far as the West mouse, I then decided that I would try and get back round the head before the tide was too strong. Just missed it... I sat in one place with the engine on and sails up for 2 hours. I decided to sail smarter not harder and set off with the tide to turn in to a bay and have dinner. After a break I looked at the tidal atlas to determine the best time to return. A much easier return leg and a great sunset coming home. 25NM.