051:42.638 N
005:09.237 W

Milford Haven

22hours from anchor up to anchor down. We began by weaving our way back between the Isles of Scilly before plotting a course towards Milford Haven, fortunately the wind direction was OK to aim for our destination.

We wanted to clip the top of the Traffic Separation Scheme, so made a quick call to Falmouth Coastguard to check we wouldn’t get into trouble if we crossed the TSS at 45° (!) ~ they wished us a safe journey, clearly not too worried with so little traffic.

We managed to sail until dark when it just became too fickle so sadly motored for the rest of the way. We made a few attempts to sail but the swell was all over the place and the sails just flogged.

There were definitely some highlights overnight, finally turning up into the Irish Sea and seeing the north star behind our port shroud, a stunning orange moonrise just after 0200, dolphins swimming through phosphorescence towards the boat, like torpedoes lit up underwater then diving down under the boat to play on the other side, totally thrilling to witness. Bol had 50+ dolphins for half an hour as dawn was breaking, such a treat and such a joy. 

Around 0230 we noticed the Fastnet Rock was 153nm on our port beam and thought of so many of our friends who have braved that race, hats off to them all in whichever year they did it in. 

We got away lightly again with shipping across the Bristol Channel but fishing boats going in all directions were tricky to anticipate and kept us on our toes. We did 2 hours on / 2 hours off during the night, then 3 on / 3 off after sunrise so both a bit woozy this evening.

Milford Haven has a dramatic entrance, a huge port catering for enormous tankers; no nonsense instructions in the Pilot Book are written to ensure yachts don’t get in the way. We crept into the peaceful Dale Bay anchorage and are now tucked in under the Pembrokeshire cliffs ahead of a 30+ northerly blow expected tomorrow. 

Happy Hour in the cockpit was followed by a stunning sunset.