Milford Haven to Plymouth

Hi everyone,
This weekend we completed a circuit of Great Britain, crossing our track on Saturday.  It only took 2 years!

Around Britain

The blue part of the track shows where our friends Anne and Graham "borrowed" Zen Again for a while.

And here are the usual plots for our passage over this long weekend.

Zen Again Track

Zen Again Speed

 Here are the vital statistics...

• Distances/Speeds
• Route Distance = 175nm
• GPS Distance = 183nm
• Duration = 36 hours
• Average ground speed = 5.1 kt
• Weather
• Minimum wind speed = calm
• Average wind speed = 15 kt
• Maximum wind speed = 28 kt
• Apparent wind angle range = 50 to 180
• Seas up to 2.5m
• Initially overcast with showers, clearing up to sunny spells
• Engine
• Total = 10 hours
• Driving = 10 hours
• Charging = 0 hours

On Thursday night we took the trains from London to Milford Haven via Swansea, departing at 1715.  Sadly we were stuck in Swansea for a couple of hours after our onward train was cancelled.  We arrived in Milford Haven after midnight. Glad we won't have to do the trip again!

On Friday morning we departed through the lock at 0900.  The wind was about 20 knots from the west, which was blowing straight up the estuary.  Thankfully the tide was ebbing which gave us a couple of knots assistance against nasty wind over tide chop.  We set sail as soon as we could turn south towards the Bristol Channel.

Once clear of the estuary we were sailing on a close reach under single-reefed main and triple-furled yankee.  In the 20-25 knot breeze that certainly got us moving!  As the day wore on the breeze picked up during rain showers so we reduced sail to double-reefed main (trisail size) and staysail (storm jib).  That stood the boat up a little and barely slowed her down.

Throughout the day and evening it was wet and wild ride, with green water frequently on deck and occasionally all the way back to the dodger.  Zen Again loved it.  We were a little queasy to be honest!  Conditions might have been a little better during the flood but we hardened up to avoid loosing too much ground.

Approaching Land's End we stayed east of the TSS and as we did so the wind lightened and went around to the NNW.  We had a great sail from Land's End to the Lizard on a broad reach under full sail.

Lands End looking north

Lands End looking east

Passing the Lizard

From the Lizard the wind steadily decreased until its was under 5 knots and we needed to motor.  We had hoped to sail to Weymouth or Poole but the forecast for Sunday was for gale force southerlies.  So we decided to head for Plymouth.

Entering Plymouth harbour

We arrived at Plymouth and berthed in Queen Anne's Battery marina at last light on Saturday.  We were very pleased to have got around to the south coast.

On Sunday we cleaned up the boat as the gales raged outside.  A little water had got below via the companionway when greenies got through the under the dodger.  Some water had also got down the gas heater chimney before we covered it.  We managed to coax it back to life but I think it needs LTC from a gas mechanic.

We had a nice Sunday roast at the nearby Royal Western Yacht Club, historic host to several iconic ocean races.  Later in the afternoon we walked around to Plymouth Barbican and Sutton Harbour for dinner.

Sutton Harbour

Sutton Harbour

On Monday we moved the boat to a visitor's berth where Zen Again can lie for a few weeks.

Zen Again at QAB

Later in the morning we walked around to the Barbican for coffee and cake.  From there we walked up to the Hoe to view the many memorials.  The Royal Navy Memorial reminded us of the War Memorial back home in Perth.

Royal Navy Memorial on Plymouth Hoe 

Sir Francis Drake Memorial

Armada Memorial

RAF Memorial

View to SE from the Hoe

We expect leave Zen Again at QAB for a few weeks.  Then we have a week's holiday booked during which we expect to push east along the south coast.  We have a date in mid-October at St Katharine's Dock in London.