A shortish hop down Cardigan Bay to Aberystwyth which would take us 5.5 hours with a following breeze but we would have the wind on our tail. Unfortunately, both Pwllheli and Aberystwyth are tidal harbours so we had to leave Pwllheli 3 hours before local high water (11:50) and get into Aberystwyth up to 2.5 hours after local high water (11:40)…tight!
With the tide running across and slightly against us we deployed the Genoa (big foresail) and cranked the engine up. The sun beat down and we peeled off the layers as morning tore on. Sipping a mug of tea in the deck saloon Lou shouted dolphin! Up to the bow we went and 4 of them (3 adults and a calf) darted in and out of Sulaire’s bow wave, turning on their white sides to espy us from below. They rode along with us for 20 minutes or so and joined us again a few hours later after they had scooted off to chase a shoal of fish.
We made Aberystwyth about 20 minutes ahead of our ETA and rounded into its tight entrance. However, the bigger problem was entry into the inner pontoons where we had been allocated a berth. As we squeezed between two large yachts with only inches to spare we found our berth and were assisted by a couple of friendly berth holders.
After securing the boat we went ashore with our first stop at the marina office to see if the replacement anchor windlass control had arrived. Despite the somewhat inefficient lady at the office we traced down the package. Back at the boat and a quick test and all was working again…hooray!
A long walk up to the old hill fort overlooking the town then around the university town itself and along the promenade to watch the pasty students strip off and take in the first strong rays of the year, despite the increasingly gusty northerly wind.
Back at the boat we ordered a Thai takeaway and I set about preparing the passage plan for our longest passage of the trip so far, 12.5 hours, down to Milford Haven or the anchorage at Dale to be specific. With a continued, and strengthening northerly wind, the anchorage at Fishguard would be untenable.
Passage plan done and bellies full we watch a bit of TV on the iPad before settling in for the night.
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