Fearsome Passages

There is a book by David Rainsbury called " Fearsome Passages" in which he describes some of the more challenging passages to be made around our shores. These are normally because of fierce tidal conditions. Ramsey sound and Jack Sound in Pembrokeshire are in the list.

We had planned to sail around the most western part of Wales to Dale to meet up with some friends on their boat Aquilla. This needed careful timing for the aforementioned passages.

We left Fishguard with time in hand in order to stem a foul tide around the north Coast from Stumble Head to St David's head the timing being to arrive at Ramsey Sound at High water slacks.

The wind seemed favourable if rather strong being a force 4-5 North westerly however with just the main and two big rolls in the Genoa we were making good progress, the over falls off Strumble head proved interesting and the powerful tidal set around the headland needed a little engine power to overcome. As we moved slowly along the coast the wind became very fitful, the weather overcast, and a horrible cross sea left us rolling unpleasantly. The engine was again resorted to to keep our schedule and it was a very uncomfortable and noisy few hours before we arrived off St David's head.

Almost as if by magic the sun came out and the sky cleared. The sea also dropped off and became a lot calmer. As we rounded the headland our old holiday spot Whitesands Bay came into view.

This is an area we have spent some considerable time in for annual holidays, having camped and sea kayaked here since the early 80s. It is a lovely part of the world and it certainly lived up to expectations as we approached Ramsey sound. Our timing proved accurate almost to the minute as we entered.

Lynne again was wondering what all the fuss was about which usually means I have got my timings right!

As we left the sound and entered St Brides bay we had another 7 miles or so to  go to reach Jack Sound if we hurried the ebb tide would only have been running for an hour or so, the wind again fell light and I spent a few minutes rigging our Gennaker for a downwind run to Skomer and Skockholm.

Half way across St Brides the wind again became fitful and settled more or less in the NE so we gybed the Gennaker and continued on our way making over 5 knots on occasion.

We don't get much chance to play with this sail however this proved very successful, idyllic sailing on a calm blue sea, I even got my top off! For once we really were living the dream. We went through Jack Sound under sail and it was as tranquil as I have ever seen it we continued on to the entrance to Milford Have where we radioed port control for permission to enter the channel. We bagged our fantastic Gennaker and started the engine for the short hop around the corner to Dale. Where our friends were waiting to take our lines on the pontoon in the middle of the bay.

That was certainly a day of contrasts, the fabulous afternoon sailing past the beautiful Pembokeshire coastline more than made up for a miserable morning struggling around the North Coast.

As it was by now 8 o'clock in the evening we had a quick sandwich and retired to the pub for a convivial chat and catch up.

Fearsome passages? Not really, as long as you get the timing right...........