Pwllheli, boyo. Theres lovely, isn't it

 

Woke at 630, starving so a real toss up whether to go in search of a fry up or pull up the anchor really fast to catch the tide across Cardigan Bay. Yep, another little 'bay'. 57 miles of it, miles from land. I decided to go on the basis that I will treat myself with a couple of nights at Pwllheli Marina. The good thing about anchoring is that you can be on your way in 5 minutes and I now tidy up stuff and deflate my dinghy 'en route'. Smooth crossing but, once again, Im surprised to spend 8 hours without seeing anyone; not even another boat. 

Arrived at 4pm, looking forward to fresh water and a plug socket. The Marina also boasts a launderette. Nah. Couldn't get my boat in as not enough water. Had to anchor until bloody 8pm and watch , helplessly, as all the boats with shallower keels, nipped in, probably to nick all the best curries. 

Anyway, while waiting I listened to a local Welsh station that was reporting from The Royal Welsh farming show. Fascinating. 65000 visitors over 2 or 3 days. Amazed at the passion of the commentary for the sheep shearing contest. The shearers were  compared to athletes and it was claimed that they were fitter than marathon runners. One of the top guys whipped off a sheepskin in 14 (or 40) seconds ! Apparently the sheep do get the occasional 'nick'. 

Writing a lot today. That's because I'm still sitting here, waiting for the bloody tide. Oh, I can see the mountains of Snowdonia. I'll pop a pic on here but they look a bit grey because, in Wales, it rains. 

Can't believe I've got here, from Portsmouth. All a bit of a dream but the further I get the more I fancy my chances of getting around. Just one more offshore passage then thats it for a while; the trip to the Isle of Man. I'll think about that later. 

Anyway, finally found an Indian Restaurant. 3 independent sources were unanimous in their praise for this gaff. You can tell when people mean business because they stare you in the eyes and voices become deep and solemn .........The 'Polash'. Fantastic curry, slightly marred by the fact that I was sat facing one of those chaps that, unless you are on a death wish, you cannot afford to make eye contact with. Now I know that 'stereotyping' can be problematic but I'd prefer to rely on experience and I kept my head down. Back on boat now. Blowing a gale and raining hard but I'm happy to be tucked into a safe marina. Night all.