The Long Weekend…Not long enough!
At the start of this month we.. Merched Y Môr, had set our sights on what was to be a first for many parts of this long journey to the start line. First night at sea, first night on anchor, first sleep in the cabins, first use of autohelm, first tidal streams, first dolphins??
As the weekend approached the weather forecast was analysed on an almost hourly basis. In particular Denise was in full ‘weather geek’ mode, regularly updating the group chat… it’s fine, it’s not fine, its fine…ish! Tuesday evening plans were put together around Helen’s kitchen table, charts poured over, waypoints set, weather synopsis written and logistics planned.
As Friday neared the weather was predictably unpredictable and of course no-one’s day went to plan, but we did gather in Goodwick, eventually, loading and sorting and of course laughing our way through the boat preparations, Cariad was ready and so were we.
Practice is already paying off as we launched with ease and rowed out into Fishguard bay, as always waved off by passers-by and staunch supporters, to whom we are endlessly in debt as they, unbeknownst to themselves, keep us on track, motivated and determined to push forwards.
It’s an anxious time anchoring in an £85k boat in force 3-4 winds and then trying to go to sleep!! We haven’t yet had the time to build trust in Cariad, in the equipment and even in our selves. That takes experience and there are no short cuts, hasten to add there was not a lot of sleep happening that night! News flash tho… Heledd has initiated herself into the use of the bucket… if you know you know!!
Saturday morning was a joy, the rain had gone, the wind was tolerable, and the coffee was on. As we began to row shortly before 7am, our first 2hr shift EVER had begun. The novelty hid the discomfort, and the time went swiftly, leaving us rowing into Cwm Yr Eglwys with a decent size following sea and tail wind though the overfalls of Dinas Head. It’s hard to write the learning here but let’s say we started to appreciate the psychological challenges each might face and indeed need to overcome before we get to La Gomera. A known enemy is one we can fight though right… and we are fighters!
Returning to Fishguard bay for night two we were accompanied by a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins, waved to from the coast path high above, and entranced by the rolling waves of the tidal race once again… this time wind and tide in opposition and fighting each other to build some good size rolling peaks and troughs. Cariad (our boat) if she had eyes would have hardly blinked, she has seen far far bigger, and is built to not just survive but thrive in the open ocean. Saturday night we swam, washed (thank you Dawn!) ate, rowed, slept and slept! Phew! Turns out if you don’t set an anchor drag alarm it doesn’t keep waking you up….who knew!!
The weather and tide dictated an earlier retrieval than we would have liked, taking Cariad out of the water shortly after 8am. But not before the ritual morning coffee, dolphin sighting and navigation practice. It was too soon, we could have managed much much longer, but patience is a quality we can all be short of at times. Small steps, but all in the right direction, with a suitable sense of humour and the knowledge that we have got each other’s backs… always.
Finally, we have to say a huge thanks to the Pembrokeshire community and indeed beyond, who join in with our forays on social media, tolerate our rambles and always have a positive word to say… really, you have no idea how much difference you are making!
Until next time….
Denise. Heledd, Helen and Liz xxxx
