We had arranged to meet Jan and Christine Newman, who have a P325 based at Milford marina. No problem, we just go through Ramsey Sound, Jack Sound and into Skomer South Haven, the meeting place. We took the ebb through Ramsey Sound, which was no problem, so continued across St Bride’s Bay and through Jack Sound on the last of the ebb with a light following wind – ideal conditions. All very smooth until leaving the S end of the sound where we had a real “bucking bronco” ride through a whole train of short steep waves. As we had very little speed with the light wind we did not leap over waves and crash into the next but did have to hang on tight. The rough part was quite narrow but we did not feel quite confident enough of the pilotage to steer clear of them. Maybe most of the time it’s better just to go right round the island, which is quite small. Maybe it’s also best avoided on a big spring tide with coefficient about 106! Jan and Christine arrived in South Haven soon after us – it’s a small inlet with lots of puffins, guillemots and others constantly flying to and from the cliffs. Shared lunch on J and C’s boat and thought they were very relaxed about going back against the tide – well they are locals so it must be OK. The trip back required some hard motoring against the tide, which was a bit hard to avoid as South Haven did not seem a good overnight stop.
Lunch in Skomer S Haven
Blue Moon leaving S Haven
Skokholm and some strong tide
St Ann’s Head at last
Milford Haven by night
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