This was planned to be our main voyage this year, west in Wales as far as Conwy. But sadly Jo’s mum Betty died suddenly while we were away, so we cut the trip short at Milford Haven. We stayed at Neyland (up the estuary from Milford) for a couple of days before returning home in one leg.
Day 1 – Portishead to Cardiff, 18 May 2022
It was a great pleasure to welcome Chris Reynolds onboard. We sped down tide to Cardiff, reaching Penarth in the early afternoon. We towed another yacht out of the barrage lock halfway to Cardiff Yacht Club – then he got his outboard working again.
Moored in pole position for ‘The Deck’ restaurant! Chris went off to Tesco to buy a pillow.
Day 2 – Cardiff to Swansea, 19 May 2022
A fine day’s sailing. We got to Swansea early and had to wait for the tide to come in before the lock opened.
Day 3 – Swansea to Neyland, 20 May 2022
A longer sail – we started in the first lock at Swansea (about 0700) and got to Neyland at around 1800. A beam reach most of the way. We fixed the ensign back on after this video!
Neyland is a wonderful sheltered inlet off the Milford estuary; and there is a popular restaurant and a good café at the marina.
Days 4 & 5 – Stay in Neyland, 21-22 May 2022
We had breakfast at the café, and a lazy day on Saturday in Neyland and went to the excellent Alumchine Restaurant for dinner. On Sunday we visited Pembroke castle.
Day 6 – Return to Portishead, 23 May 2022
We returned to Portishead in one leg – 110NM in 20 hours! We left Neyland at first light, and had a fair wind behind us all the way.
A memory of Betty onboard
