Great news - we have a new starter motor, crew Ian returns to Capraia tonight and we set off tomorrow (with everyone else it seems - it's the TT next weekend)  for the Isle of Man.  These few days have not been wasted; Holyhead, previously in my mind a place to get the ferry to Ireland, is now seen for what it really is: a friendly, welcoming port full of fascinating maritime history.

Whilst the rest of the OGA fleet have been enjoying the 'crack' in Dublin, Capraia's crew has been checking out some of Holyhead's history.  One of the oldest sites visited was the ancient church of Saint Cybi, built on the site of a Roman fort strategically placed overlooking the port of Holyhead.  St Cybi, who was the first cousin of St David and the son of a Cornish Chieftain, founded churches in Devon, Cornwall, Ireland and Wales. 

In more recent times, 1845 in fact, work started on the 1.5 mile long breakwater. It took 28 years to complete and claimed the lives of more than 40 construction workers. Stone was blasted from the nearby Holyhead mountain and transported by rail to the breakwater. Two derelict mansions dominate the shore at the end of the breakwater - these were built and lived in by the architect and the civil engineer who oversaw the project.  Both are derelict and rather sinister looking - the one below was apparenty modeled on Hampton Court!

A visit to Holyhead's Maritime Museum, in the old lifeboat station, revealed a wealth of maritime artifacts including the story of the packet boats sailing from Holyhead to Ireland.  The idea of stepping off the train, crossing the platform and getting on the ship is appealing!  One of their most famous captains, Captain Skinner had one eye, one arm and a raven perched on his shoulder.  He dressed in the uniform of a Naval officer except that his buttons were silver not brass.

Yet another interesting fact (certainly for me!) concerned the square lighthouse at the end of the breakwater. It is one of only two square lighthouses in the UK - built that way to be more comfortable for the lighthouse keepers! 

I visited the Lifeboat station this afternoon and met the Coxwain, the Engineer and some of the crew. Not only did I get a guided tour around the new Tamar lifeboat - but we also had a trip around the bay! (they were going anyway to test a new part fitted to one of the engines - I know how they felt).  The hi-tec £2.7million vessel is incredible and strapped into a shock absorbing seat doing 23 knots into a moderate sea was exhilerating and reassuring!

Holyhead has been an education and a pleasure.  Thank you.

Back on board on Friday night having had a couple of days 'back at work'!  Ian won't be back until sometime next week but Tamsin has joined us to help sail Capraia to Holyhead.

On Saturday we motored in glorious sunshine in company with Syene to an anchorage south of Aberdaron Bay - ready to make the most of tomorrow's early tide northwards to Holyhead.

Up at 3.30am on Sunday and away an hour later after several cups of sweet tea!  A beautiful, clear dawn took the sting out of the early start as we hugged the shore to avoid the last of the foul tide.  Bardsey Island on our port side slipped past in the half light and once around the headlland we were swept along with the flood tide across Caerarfon Bay.

 

 

A freshening southerly wind helped to push us northwards, arriving at Holyhead in the early afternoon.  All the RBC fleet that we met in Dale had already arrived, most having sailed direct from Milford Haven.  Other new joiners included the classic Isle of Man 'long-liner' Master Frank (foreground) and 'Greensleaves' a Memory 19 (which bought back grateful memories!).

Great welcome and hospitality (thank you North Wales OGA) and evening entertainment in the Yacht Club (in the form of an excellent local band called the Silverbacks!) finished off a long but fantastic day.

Bank Holiday Monday is admin day - fuel, gaz, water, shopping and laundry - just as well in foul weather.  Invited to supper on board Annabel J - roast pork with all the trimmings and plum crumble with custard makes Capraia's fair seem very modest.  Tonight's entertainment is provided by the Old Gaffers with an eclectic mix of song and instruments which included Beetle songs, sea shanties and sing along camp fire songs.  Can it get any better?

The fleet heads for Dublin tomorrow but Capraia has a starter motor problem and we are awaiting news from the engineer.   I didn't realise that getting out of Wales would be this difficult!

It's been a week since we launched and what a week it's been!  We have certainly experienced the full range of weather conditions (except wind in any other direction other than the direction we are headed!).  The first 48 hours in Neyland Marina allowed us to complete last minute jobs and load up with goodies in glorious sunshine.

"Why do you need a ladder?" I was asked. "To climb the mast?".  Not a bad suggestion but in fact its to climb down off the boat if we use our beaching legs (East Coast, maybe).

Then off to Dale to join the rest of the Round Britain fleet, or at least those that had made it, and to take on our crew, Ian.

The highlight of the weekend was a gathering of the Round Britain Challenge (RBC) crews in Dale Yacht Club on sunday evening.  It was a great opportunity to meet some of the other crews and discover their talents as musicians and entertainers.  Thank you Dale YC and fellow old gaffers for a great evening!

We departed on Monday morning for Fishguard where we spent a bumpy night at anchor before heading North into a Northerly to Abersoch which we reached at 2.00am on Wednesday.  In the calm of the early hours we enjoyed a glass of whisky and fruit cake under the stars - never has either tasted so good!  Ater a long and sometimes difficult sail the simple pleasures are the best.  Crew and boat have done well in what has certainly been a testing 'shake down' sail.

The weather forecast on Wednesday encouraged us to seek better shelter so in the afternoon we found a snug berth in Pwllheli Marina 5 miles down the coast and moored up beside RBC boat Sylene.  Ian yet again proved his prowess in the galley and added a superb spagetti bolognese to his growing list of culinary delights.  Top of the list so far though is his Force 6 Hot Dog (relating to the weather conditions not his spicy sauce). 

Wind of gale strength forecasted for today and tomorrow so we will stay in Pwllheli for the time being.... 

One week before we start our adventure (weather permitting!)

Only one week to go before we start our three and a half month sail around Britain ...... and Capraia is still in her winter berth!

The Old Gaffer's Association Round Britain Challlenge started last month and we plan to join the 'fleet' when they pass through Milford Haven next weekend.  We launch on Thursday and then have a couple of days to test the gear and load up with supplies.  We have fitted new standing rigging and made some changes to the skipper's sleeping quarters in the forecabin to give him more space!  We have crew lined up for all eleven legs (at least on paper) with the first two, Ian and Richard joining us on Sunday.

The plan is to post blogs as often as we are are able but you can also keep track of our progress and read other blogs by visiting the oga50 website. www.oga50.org