Solva
Solva is a hidden gem just south of St David's. When I say hidden, the entrance was so narrow we had to anchor offshore to wait for the tide to rise and allow us to squeeze through the rocks and into the beautiful harbour.
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Waiting for us was another super friendly Harbour Master Anthony Evans. Born and bred in Solva, Anthony could not have been more helpful as we tied up Good Dog, attached our halyard rope from the top of the mast to the quay side to prevent her falling over, and then waited for the depth gauge to read 0.00 metres. A few minutes later we felt her keel touch the sandy bottom, and while some bemused tourists watched us, she came to lean against the quay wall, then gently tipped forward. It looks more uncomfortable than it is......but not a good angle to try and eat the curry that crew Susie has kindly cooked!
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Anthony has been HM for an amazing 22 years having previously served in the "MOD" Navy (In a job he could not tell me about!). In that time he has rescued boats caught in the entrance, been kicked in the head by a horse he was pulling from the harbour, helped film Under Milk Wood and welcomed the Queen who disembarked from HMS Brittania.
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Solva is unusual in that it is leased from the Crown Estate and run by The Solva Boat Owners Association, a Community Benefits Society. It is also in the Pembrokeshire National Park. To qualify for a mooring you have to live in the parish. If there are any spare moorings, 2nd home owners can apply but they have to pay more! I think this retains Solva's very local charm. Thank you Anthony for looking after us and I am sorry we did not see you when we left at 5am!
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Waiting for us was another super friendly Harbour Master Anthony Evans. Born and bred in Solva, Anthony could not have been more helpful as we tied up Good Dog, attached our halyard rope from the top of the mast to the quay side to prevent her falling over, and then waited for the depth gauge to read 0.00 metres. A few minutes later we felt her keel touch the sandy bottom, and while some bemused tourists watched us, she came to lean against the quay wall, then gently tipped forward. It looks more uncomfortable than it is......but not a good angle to try and eat the curry that crew Susie has kindly cooked!
.
Anthony has been HM for an amazing 22 years having previously served in the "MOD" Navy (In a job he could not tell me about!). In that time he has rescued boats caught in the entrance, been kicked in the head by a horse he was pulling from the harbour, helped film Under Milk Wood and welcomed the Queen who disembarked from HMS Brittania.
.
Solva is unusual in that it is leased from the Crown Estate and run by The Solva Boat Owners Association, a Community Benefits Society. It is also in the Pembrokeshire National Park. To qualify for a mooring you have to live in the parish. If there are any spare moorings, 2nd home owners can apply but they have to pay more! I think this retains Solva's very local charm. Thank you Anthony for looking after us and I am sorry we did not see you when we left at 5am!
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