PATHFINDER EVENT - Milford Haven August 2002

The trip was based at Neyland Yacht Haven, Neyland, Pembrokeshire. Boats attended included Brinsmead Cora, Due Diligence & Snave.

Len & myself arrived on Thursday, Geoff & Richard arrived on Friday, Neil & Karen arrived on Saturday. This is very challenging and exciting area to explore due to the nature of the coastline and the large tidal range that is present. Another problem when planning day trips is the Castlemartin Firing Range, this limits navigation when travelling out from the Haven.

We therefore decided to go to Tenby on Sunday. The run down gave us fantastic sea conditions, and the sun shone for us as well ! We stopped en route to have a look at some large rocks off Caldey Island which were very impressive, and would certainly make a dent or two in your boat if you hit them. Whilst we were floating around, we watched a seal basking in the sun on top of the Rock waiting for the tide to rise so that he wouldn’t have such a drop to the water. We then decided that it was time for lunch so we motored to the back of the Island and Anchored up. Len & myself had a swim to shore from the boats ( Approx 50m ) so that we could say that we had actually landed on the Island. ( you need the Abbots permission to land on the Island, I don’t think that applies to people swimming from boats in drysuits ! )

After a very pleasant cruise to back to Neyland, we went up the River Cleaddau to a waterside pub for a meal.

On Monday the conditions were favourable and we thought that we would make the most of the glorious weather. We decided to travel up through Jack Sound ( a narrow and potentially dangerous channel at the wrong state of tide ) and head for Solva, a smaller harbour on the edge of St Brides Bay. Access here is approx 3 hours each side of high water. We anchored up, had a bit to eat, consulted the charts and then headed off in the direction of Ramsey Sound. It is amazing how rugged the coastline is around here and how different it is from The Solent.

Ramsey Sound is a dangerous piece of water as it can have a very strong tidal flow. On route we passed the Lifeboat House of St Justinan’s, which is also where Thousand Islands Adventures operate their jet boats, and take people through the rapids know as The Bitches of Ramsey Sound. They operate in the strongest part of the tide and get passengers wet ! ( Len & myself did actually go on this trip last year which was interesting, we knew what the conditions would be like and were prepared wearing our dry suits ! ) we went as far as Whitesand Bay and then turned back for home. One the way back we hugged the coastline and passed by the many havens that have been created over many millions of years and are very picturesque.

Upon arrival at Neyland we had the obligatory pub meal, enjoying this magic place.

Unfortunately Richard had to leave us on Monday morning due to work commitments and did not, so was unable to join this wounderful day out. Neil & Karen headed for home on Tuesday, and Geoff headed off on Wednesday.

Len & me had managed to stay until Friday so we had Wednesday, Thursday & Friday left to enjoy the rest of the holiday. We had arranged for one of our friends to join us, and after wishing Geoff a good journey home, we set off on our way out of the haven and en route to Skomer Island, where we stopped for a bite to eat before heading to Grassholm Island. This is a Island that is about 9 miles offshore and is a bird

I thoroughly enjoyed the Trip, and I know that every body who attended said that the glorious weather made it a fantastic experience. I would urge any body that has not been to this area before to try and get down to the next event that is organised here. Thanks once again those who attended for making the effort and travelling the distances that you did.