Cymraeg
THE CHRISTENING OF OLIVIA AND KAELAN
(Jake and Cathy's children from the boat "Mako")
ST. MARY' CHURCH, TREGARTH
The 24th of August was a joyous day when the Christening of Olivia and Kaelan took place at a beautiful St. Mary's Church at Tregarth. Olivia was thoroughly enjoying showing off her gorgeous long Christening dress down the isle which brought a smile to all that gathered there.
Following the Service family and friends walked up the lane to Jake and Cathys family home, the rain had timed it well to try and give us a soaking but this didn't dampen the laughter and spirit of the day. Cathy and her dad had prepared a fantastic spread of food and drink.
Everyone relaxed inside and outside, now in sunshine.
The celebration lasted the whole day and the taxi and mini bus soon arrived to take Pwllheli friends back to the marina.
Olivia and Kaelan have been our youngest Cruisers and a delight to have among us.
"Many Congratulations" to the whole family.
A strange dolphin Experience
Ireland does not have a great many bottle nosed dolphins (the type we see in Tremadog bay) you will however see many Atlantic Common dolphins, the type you will see off South Wales. There is a well known pod in the Shannon estuary and of course there is “Fungi” off Dingle otherwise I know of very few.
This made the account I am about to relate even stranger. We had left Lawrence Cove on a damp and misty morning bound for Kinsale, normal conditions for this year in the south west of Ireland. A few hours later after passing the Mizen and approaching Cape Clear Island the visibility really closed in. The approach to the Gascanane Sound between the above and Sherkin island is not easy in good conditions, as approaching from the west you have to keep north of the Bullig reef and then decide which is the correct channel to take through the sound. Less than a couple of hundred meters vis with a strong tide underneath us was leading to a small amount of nervous pilotage.
Suddenly on our starboard side a very large bottle nosed dolphin appeared, I could tell he was fairly old as his dorsal fin was well scared. He stayed on our starboard side for a period of time making certain we did not alter course in that direction. Minutes later, about the time I was reckoning to turn for the sound, with a great splash and a blowing of air, he appeared to port almost pushing us in that direction, it was at this time I could make out the correct passage through the sound and so altered in that direction.
The dolphin then swam away and did not reappear. We certainly in many years on this coast had not seen this dolphin before, and you can interpret this in whichever way you wish I know what I saw and felt !!!
Richard Smith
Imladris
CHARLES and CHRIS 'LAST ORDERS' CIRCUMNAVIGATING ANGLESEY
Circumnavigating Anglesey is not an easy task as there are real navigation issues to consider but at the same time awesome scenery and quaint harbours to visit and of course two Marinas to take refuge. Plenty of challenges and in the right conditions this cruise can give you great satisfaction.
July 18 -21 Last Orders ( Beneteau 311) undertook a circumnavigation of Anglesey! Set off in miserable weather from Pwllheli , which improved after rounding Cilan Head.Spent a lovely evening in Porth Dinllaen, walked over the golf course, and had a nice meal overlooking the sunlit bay! Saturday -rain , but no wind, so motored up to Holyhead.Sunday it was misty, so motored carefully north,round Carmel Head then turning east .Finally , near Puffin Island, the sun came out and we anchored in lovely sunshine in the Pool at Beaumaris. Celebrated in the Bistro at the Bull! Up , to put into action what we learnt at the Swellies "Masterclass" last August.
The Straits were mirror calm , with no wind , and we followed all the marks and transits satisfactorily. Then on past Plas Newydd and Caernarvon castle, and safely over the Bar ! We then returned to Pwllheli, pleased to have achieved our challenge. Chris and Charles.
Maybe next season we will follow in "Last Orders"'s footsteps and accomplish this circumnavigation around Anglesey.
'SANDPIPER' and 'SEA MINX' SAILING IN COMPANY TO IRELAND
