Solva to Holyhead

28th April to 1st May
Solva-Fishguard-Bardsey Island-Holyhead
( route http://www.a-trip.com/tracks/view/129882 )

Solva is a delight, especially for bilge keelers. We spent two days there enjoying local hospitality ('The Ship') and anecdotes of the friendly harbour master. Super competent, Paul, had to leave (some folk have to work) and Stephanie arrived (the trip with me is preparation for the NW Passage in two months' time!).

Comfortable alongside Solva Quay

After a day in sunny St David's, visited by bus, we sailed next day via Ramsey Sound for Fishguard, breezing past 'The Bitches' (rocks) at over 13 knots. (Local advice had been to go well ahead of tide turning, in order to get to Fishguard before tide turned, and it was near spring tide - so frisky on the water.)

Swished through Ramsey Sound

Fishguard lower harbour is another bilge keelers' delight and we stayed a while, helping fishermen unload about 200 empty pots into their van and trailer. According to the harbour master, the boat owner makes a very good living, but the prawns all go to Spain. For some reason we seem to buy ours from Iceland?

On the end of the quay in Fishguard

A few of many prawn pots

Then, on north across Cardigan Bay to Bardsey Island for a tranquil night anchored near dozens of groaning moaning seals. It's a pretty place when it's calm.

Anchored off Bardsey Island

Yesterday, we sailed on to Holyhead. Stephanie has gone home and I'm frustrated to be waiting spares to fix a broken autohelm, change the engine battery, buy new oars.......help! But it's fantastic and sunny and my shorts are out!

South Stack, Anglesey, with wonderfully folded rocks

"Ruth", my neighbour in Holyhead (with microlight flying overhead)