OK, theres no details yet, I'll post those later, but we're planning another trip (hot on the heels of the Gower Trip), this time to Pembrokeshire for the 8th 9th and 10th of November 2002.

Probably based around Newgale, but i'll confirm this once I've checked the availability of accomodation, pubs etc.

Once again, the area should offer good possibilities for windsurfing, surfing, kiting and other Forces-of-Nature sports.

Reply to this posting if you're interested in joining us. I'll try to add some more details before I go away on Thursday.

Al.

Might be heading home to see the folks but if not Ill definately be up for that! Enjoy your trip back to the Isle of Man, It's very Wet there at the mo but I think the wind is Ok.

James...will you be around the weekend after that??...As you're the first to reply it would be easy to re-schedule. And its good to have you and Des there too as you'll both get in the water whatever the conditions.

Al.

Sounds excellent Al. Let us know which weekend you decide on. I can do either at the moment.

Blowing a hooly here in London at the moment but no chance of getting time off this week

Im more likely to be about the weekend after. It's Mums B'day on the 9th so if I go home it will be that weekend. Im desperate to get out again so it would be cool if you could make the next weekend.

OK, its a deal then the dates will be November 15th, 16th & 17th.

I'll confirm the details later, but we'll probably meet at Newgale and base the 'activities' around Newgale, which is a long sandy beach backed by pebbles. It can be good for surfing if theres a swell, good for windsurfing in winds with some westerly in them (or Easterly which is dead offshore for flat water blasting). Theres also plenty of hard packed sand for buggying or just kiting. There are also quite a few other beaches around and plenty to do should the weather be uncooperative.

Theres a surf shop just behind the beach and a couple of pubs...(Anyone know anything about the pubs there??...which one is best to meet in...not too busy, serves food etc.)..I always used to meet in the Mariners Arms in Nolton haven not far from newgale, but I've heard that its gone downhill recently so it time to try somewhere new... Any recommendations?

I'll look into accomodation options in a minute and post what I find here.

Who's up for it??
Any Questions or suggestions??

Al.

Right, heres some more info on the Pembro trip.

As far as pubs go, theres really only one choice in Newgale itself, unfortunately as far as my memory serves, its a pretty dreadful affair called the Duke of Edinburgh, so in the evenings we'll meet at the next closest pub which is the Harbour Inn in Solva. Solva itself is a pleasant little village and harbour about 5 miles out of Newgale on the A487 towards St. Davids.

This also opens up the options as far as accomodation goes as the Harbour Inn itself offers accommodation. (tel: 01437 720013 ). I don't know anything about the prices as yet, so if anyone finds out let us know. There are other accommodation options in Solva too.

Solva is also right in between Newgale and St. Davids so we'll have plenty of options for things to do. Windsurfing, surfing and kiting at Newgale or Whitesands. Abereiddy not too far away for surfing too. Broad Haven for windsurfing if its too rough at Newgale. Or if its really rough and we need some flat water, Dale isn't too far away.

Also, if theres no wind or surf theres loads of nice climbing routes along the small cliffs between Solva and St Davids..so those of you that climb (James, Steve?), bring your kit. I'll try to find my Pembrokeshire guide and might even be persuaded to put my climbing shoes on again.

If its not too cold this stretch of coastline is also some of the best in the country for some coasteering. And, as always, failing all that theres always the pub with its 'Real ales from the cask, real fires, good atmosphere'.

Al.

Yep Im comming! Des has been on to me today too asking when the next trip is and Im sure JK and Sarah will come aswell. . Ill get in touch with them today and see if they're comming.Looking forward to it already. there might be a few others trying to escape Wolverhampton that will come aswell so could have a midlands convoy yet.

Would love to join you guys but am working that weekend. I used to head off to Broadhaven/Newgale every October had some great times. The Galleon PH in Broadhaven is good boozer with 'relaxed' licensing hours

Keep me posted you never know may be able to get some time off???

AT LAST! I am desperate to get back in the water!..the weekend of the 15th is good for me as i am going back to the IOM on the 9th the same as jam!..jam are you talking the van?...write me an e.mail or something to tell me your plans and we can arrange to go home together!

So what are the chances of this place being as good as the gower?..i have high expectations now!!..also it would be cool to get a new toy to test out there!

des

All gone quiet here while Al's away. Anyone know what the campsites are like around there and, of course, if they're actually open!

I've managed to get the Friday off so am hoping to head down from London on the Thursday night. Anyone else up for a convoy from the big smoke? I might have a bit of spare space for kit in the van though haven't got it all racked up yet.

hello all, I may well be up for this, consider me a possibly if the forecast is looking good! Might well try and combine my journey with MarkH or there might be a london convoy as I have a couple of other windsurfing mates who might be up for this

have to get the glow plugs fixed on the van and a new MOT but fingers crossed

Looks like I may well be able to make it as long as I don't manage to get a job.

A couple of bits of info:

For more details on the area, check out http://www.bristolnomads.org.uk/location_reports.htm Follow the map links through to Newgale.

Al's probably highlighted the best pub - The Harbour Inn in Solva. Also worth a mention are the Ship Inn & the Royal George - both also in Solva. Don't have any great expectations for beer - this has to be the worst part of the UK, unless you love Worthingon, Whoosh, Boddies, Felinfoel - all pulled through a sparkler, all too cold, all tasteless & all over £2 a pint.

For accommodation, it may be worth thinking about a caravan if you fancy sharing & saving costs: The nearest site is Nolton Cross caravan park - 01437 710701.

Right, time to start making the final arrangements for next weekends trip.

I was originally planning on getting to Solva on the Friday evening..will anyone else be arriving then? If not then I might just drive down first thing on Saturday morning as I don't want to be sat in the pub all on my own!!

Al.

I guess my arrival will be pretty much wind dependant! If it's looking like it'll be windy, I'll be there but probably won't turn up if the forecast doesn't look too good.

As for Fri eve - I'll probably give that a miss & aim to arrive Sat am - notwithstanding what I said above!

Al, could you perhaps email me your mobile no (if you have one)? That way, we stand a reasonable chance of meeting up!

Al - Have taken Friday off work so should be heading down late Thursday night or Friday morning. Either way I'll be ready for that pint on Friday evening!

It's a bit of hike at > 250 miles from London so the only reason I'd pull out is if there is absolutely no wind or swell predicted whatsoever. However quite happy to surf instead of windsurf so I'm hoping that's unlikely.

Mark

(P.S. Al - i'll email you my mobile no.)

Cool,
I'll get there Friday evening for a drink (or three) with Mark then, (and anyone else who's turning up on Friday...I think Steve will if theres wind forecast and maybe James and Des??

Pray for wind and surf!

Al.

Unfortunately the wind and surf forecasts don't look great for the weekend in Pembrokeshire, although there 'could' be a little wave I guess.

So, James, if you're still coming, don't forget your kite and mt. board this time, and bring your climbing kit too. At least it should be dry so we'll be able to explore the coast a bit if nothing else.

Al.

Wind/Swell forecast still looking pretty dire at the moment (except for today of course) so I think i might pull out. Shame, as I'd like to get out there on the water with y'all but I'm not sure I fancy the drive there and back without seeing some action on the water.

It does mean I can get on with doing the interior of the van though so all is not lost. Look forward to your next trip. I'll also post when next heading down somewhere.

Mark

Sorry Al - like Mark, I'm not going to make it due to the lousy wind forecast

Next time I'm going over to Pembs, I'll give you a shout.

For all those who do go this weekend, have a great time - at least the weather's supposed to be a little better (Ie: Less rain).

Not to worry, looks as though most people have had the same idea, so we'll postpone the trip until theres a weekend with a better forecast (with at least a chance of some wind or waves).

So, keep an eye on the forecast and we'll make a last minute decision. we'll still go to Pembrokeshire and meet in the same places etc.

Its probably a better way to do things anyway rather than trying to arrange such trips too far in advance.

Al.

Hi Al,

I'll definitely be up for it. The next suitable-looking weekend?

I know only too well from the Nomads calendar that we only get wind from the right direction & in sufficient quantities for the venue chosen about 20% of the time. The calendar is set up to 9 months in advance "so members can plan their trips in advance". Pros & cons both ways, I guess.

Cheers,
MartinF

OK, I know its still a little too early to tell what will happen this coming weekend, but things look much more lively than they did last weekend, so what do y'all think about meeting up in Pembrokeshire this weekend (22nd-24th)??

Soul Surfers surf report says:

quote:

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SOUTH WEST AND WALES (and south western ireland)

A new swell should start to develop today and bring some solid moderate to large waves tomorrow. With south easterly breezes offshore in many parts north shore could go hollow and heavy for the brave. South coasts will be poor. Later in the week strong south westerly winds will develop and bring a lot more weather than people want coupled with some very large destructive swells. Deep shelter will be essential next weekend

---

Agreed - it's looking good through Saturday now & poss Sunday. I'm up for it unless something drastic happens.

Martin

Ill certainly try. My assignments are all in this Friday so providing they all go Ok Ill make the trip. The van is only working in dry weather at the minute so that will be pretty important too. My wetsuit is still soaking wet in the box from the last trip so ill have to sort that out.

I'll be up for it Al, as long as the forcast remains decent.

Heres the latest surf and wind forecasts for the weekend:

quote:

---

SOUTH WEST AND WALES (and south western ireland)

The current large north westerly swells will continue until they are blown away by the strengthening southerly wind. The wind will get even stronger and turn westerly for Friday and Saturday but should turn southerly again and lighten on Sunday. The main new swell will start to come in overnight on Thursday. Friday's waves will be truly awesome for all coastal areas with the buoys probably showing more than 10 meteres and 15 seconds. Unfortunately they will be blown out at all the exposed spots so shelter will be essential but some special storm spots sgould show some amazing waves. Hopefully, when the winds turn southerly again on Sunday the exposed spots will go offshore and become surfable. Tides are just coming off springs and high around 8am/pm at the weekend.

---

Still looking good . Forecasts I've seen today for the w/end are ranging from SSE thru' SSW and F4-F7. I'll be there!

Any plans for meeting up? Anyone heading out tomorrow (Fri)? Contingencies? - How about Newgale, Sat am?

Yep, its looking good.

I'll be driving down tomorrrow evening and should get there around 7pm... I'll meet anyone else driving down tomorrow in the Harbour Inn, Solva.

I'm not sure how many people will turn up (a couple have pulled out at the last minute again). James and Des should still be coming and Ken and maybe Joe, and of course Martin and me!....Even if theres just a few of us it should be good.

If possible (condition wise) then we'll sail/surf from Newgale as its pretty good there for both. If its completely mad, as in BIG surf then Broad Haven will probably be better.

And Dale is always just down the road and can actually be quite good in a SE??... I think everyone knows my mobile number, so we should all manage to meet up somewhere on Sat.

Those who need to, let me know and I'll ring / text you once we decide where we'll be on the Saturday... We'll be in the Harbour Inn (Solva) again in the evening.

See you all there.

Al.