The calm before the storm.

Sunday:
Sunday was lovely! We got up early, checked the mooring lines -a new hobby of mine I think...

We headed over to the Brunel Café at the marina for a latté and to seek the advice of Mrs Haynes at the chandlery, (she really does know everything about yachts), on how best to go about patching up Shoestring's scratch in the woodwork. She helped us out as ever recommending various vanishes and techniques. -£40 odd pound later we left with all we needed.

We spent the afternoon working on Shoestring, after a quick trip to Haverfordwest to get some sandpaper and shopping. The car smelt awful as we realised a container of Paraffin had leaked all over the boot!

We headed back tot he Marina, and spent a sunny afternoon re-varnishing the woodwork, while MW cleaned and polished the windows and sprayhood. - I'll post a full review of the varnishes and cleaners used soon.

After all this work, and numerous mugs of tea, we went for a walk enjoying the warm weather along the Brunel cycle route, (NCN 4). The route follows along the Westfield Pill, a former creek used for ship building, and the terminus of the long closed Great Western Railway.

We saw Otters and what we think was a Bull frog, together with many ducks, swans, and a whole variety of bird life.

We walked back deciding that we'll treat ourselves to a roast dinner at the 'Bar Restaurant' at the Marina. - Very very good food, at extremely good prices: £19.50 for 2 roast beef dinners, mountains of vegetables and 2 pints of ale.

We then headed back to Shoestring to settle down...

8pm, the barometer dropped of the scale beyond 'storm'
8.15pm, the rain and wind hit...

Shoestring shook and rolled trying to drag the pontoon with her. But all held safely. As the wind got up, boats around us also rolled and shook in the force 9-10 winds. We looked out the windows as all around us the waters swelled and swept past. -We were also on spring tide, so the Spring high-tide hit the storm tide creating one hell of a current under her. -Stern onto the wind Shoestring wanted to roll around.

Despite the wind and rolling we were quite happy, that is until the dripping started. The roof started to leak, in 8 places. Unable to stay dry inside the cabin, and the bilge pump clicking on, our sleeping bags were soaked from water dripping above the bunks. We took the decision to sleep in the car, packing our waterproofs and basics for the trip across the pontoons.

We packed bits into the car, then decided to go for a walk in the exciting storm, seeing other poor yachts in the marina side onto the wind being blown around and up against the pontoons.

We headed back to the car, deciding to move it slightly away from the waters edge and slept.

Monday morning:
We woke looking at still Force 7-8 winds, and a very high tide. -We actually had to step over around 2 foot of tide and then walk UP to the pontoons. Bits of wreckage from boats and rubbish were dotted about. Shoestring remained safely on her morning waiting for us, we wiped down the interior and gave her a quick clean.

We both had to be at work tomorrow, so we packed up and headed home, despite the dreadful weather and the leaks we had a great weekend.

I'm still worried about the bilge pump packing up and her sinking from a leak in the cabin.... Oh well, just need to have faith.