Moving On

After a few indifferent days weather-wise things started to improve although there was still a risk NE wind. We decided to walk down to Rest Bay, a popular beach and surfing center about a mile and a half from Porthcawl. The views across the Bristol Channel across to Devon were spectacular with the air being very clear.

Looking back to Porthcawl on the way back from Rest Beach.

Having looked at the forecast and noted that a settled spell was on its way we planned ahead for the next few days.

Our original plan was to visit Swansea but we were frustrated to find that they were full and therefore could not accommodate us.

This meant we would have to anchor a few times before we could get to Milford Haven. Given that we hadn't used the anchor before it wasn't something we wanted to rely on at this stage. Also the forecast at that point only gave us a couple of days calm enough for us to enter the brave new world of anchoring overnight.

The forecast for the Sunday night seemed promising so we decided to venture down to the Gower and anchor overnight in Oxwich Bay.

We planned our route as a virtual straight line from outside the harbour to Oxwich, passing well off shore of the huge Swansea Bay.

Sunday morning arrived and we awaited the tide to reach sufficient depth for the marina gates to open. We sat tight  before setting off until an hour or so high tide. Once outside the harbour entrance and past the Fairy cardinal it became apparent that there was still a significant swell. 

     Passing Mumbles Head

We battled on and as we reached Mumbles Head, thankfully,  the swell began to subside.

We drew close to Oxwich bay and checking the forecasted tide depths we cruised upto the 2m contour, found a spot well clear of the other boats already anchored there.

The beach at Oxwich from our anchorage, very popular in the good weather.

I went forward to the anchor winch and started to drop the anchor, Lucia took the helm and gently reversed the boat, whilst facing the wind. I gradually let out the chain until we had sufficient released for the max tide depth, some 40 mt's of chain.

We set the anchor alarm and watched the position of the boat until we were satisfied that the anchor had taken hold. 

The afternoon and evening were hot and the beach was packed with people, there were swimmers, paddleboarders, kayaker, all enjoying the fine weather.

      Calm sheltered wares of Oxwich

We settled for a night at anchor and with the anchor alarms set and a beautiful sunset before retiring for the night. There was a gentle rocking and I slept soundly, waking at 4.30 am, I got up to check all was OK before returning to bed. Lucia apparently had not slept as soundly, laying awake worrying about what was happening to the boat.

We did not head ashore in the dinghy as we had had enough to consider and our thoughts returned to retrieving the anchor.

Once ready, Lucia took the helm whilst I went to use the winch to bring the anchor back in.

I started the motor and the chain pulled the boat forward with a little bit of engine to keep the tension off the chain. Finally the chain colours indicted that we were approaching the last few metres of chain and I was relieved to see the anchor appear from the depths. After a few checks and the anchor winch secured we ventured back to Porthcawl. We decided to take a route closer to the shore and this afforded us some great views of this spectacular coastline.

We crossed Swansea Bay much closer in shore and this gave a much easier trip.

As we approached the harbour we were asked to hold our position until they cleared a space for us after 15 mins or so we got the all clear to enter.

Passing through the tight entrance I then had to turn the boat through 180 degrees so we were pointing the right way for our departure.

The harbour master was there to help us in but there was a strong wind blowing through the entrance to the marina and this pushed me sideways away from our berth, we came to rest against another cruiser and left a rubber scuff mark on the other boat but, thankfully, no damage. The guy came down to his boat later in the afternoon and I explained what had happened, again thankfully he was understanding and very descent about it.

Checking the bilges we discovered water that had not been there before and on investigation found we had a leaking stern gland on the starboard propshaft.

As the conditions were favourable for the next couple of days we decided to return to Cardiff.

     The entrance to Porthcawl  Marina                     looking out to sea

            Porthcawl beach at low tide

      Sunset off Porthcawl 

 The return trip was gentle with little or no swell and a tide pushing us along. A couple of checks of the stern gland indicated that the leak was becoming worse. 

The large Cassion for the power station near Barry marks the halfway point between Porthcawl and Cardiff

Once safely in Cardiff Bay we again moored on the yacht club visitor pontoon. I went up to register our arrival and enquired if there was an engineer on site so  I could get a second opinion on the leak. Fortunately there was a lad on site who came across, he tightened up the stern gland more than I had dared, A quick test found it then to be running hot so I backed it off a little. 

Sitting and pondering the problem I decided to see if I could fit a new piece of packing into the gland.

This meant removing the pusher to enable the new packing to be inserted, this I did very slowly and carefully as the pressure of the water could have forced out the old packing causing and inrush of water. Thankfully this did not happen and I quickly inserted the pre prepared packing and got the pusher back in.

I then tightened up the pusher and ran the prop until the packing was settled in place.

The next morning we planned to head back up to Sharpness, we allowed ourselves plenty of time so I didn't have to push the boat too hard in case the packing overheated. We cruised around the bay for an hour or so increasing the revs on the new packing whilst closely monitoring the temperature. The gland became warm but not hot and stabilised so we prepared for the trip back up the estuary. It was a lovely warm day and the sea was calm. 

    Clevedon Pier

     Portishead  Lido near Portishead Point

  The former nautical college, now a gated       community near  Portishead.

  The Severn crossings

     

A steady cruise saw us arrive at Sharpness at our scheduled time, the stern gland didn't get hot and had finally stopped leaking. We arrived with dry bilges so all was good. On our way up I had a call from the lock keepers to tell me that we would not be able to pass through the swing bridge as it had expanded in the hot sun rendering it inoperable.

We moored alongside a lovely barge that had sailed up fro Portishead. We were told that we had to be ready to pass through the bridge at 0530 the following morning

 Back onthe G&S  canal now so just chilling out before going to refuel and then  back to our moorings at Sharpness.