Comforting?!

A couple of weeks ago....

I asked the question..

"Where do you go

when you need to unwind?"

So many of you

shared your special ways and places.

Thank you!

I wanted to share with you

another of my 'winding down' places

The deep water estuary

of Milford Haven

has been used over the centuries

for many enterprises

The 3 o'clock ferry

to Ireland

goes all steam ahead

The deep dry docks

where boats come in for overhaul and repairs

are behind me as I look across

the estuary.

Doesn't that yacht look small against the ferry?

Behind me too is 

the Marina and a lot of

shops under the colonnade

and also

a few cafes!

Now, shall we have a hot chocolate

like this lady?

Oh, it does look scrummy...

with its whipped cream..

and marshmallows..

No...

I suppose a cup of tea

will be less fattening and..

more refreshing!

Young people are in the marina 

practicing rowing

It was time 

for a little walk around the marina 

before going home

An old winch

In the dry dock!

Working boats

Below is the Fishery Patrol boat

Milford Haven 

is a very special place

for me.

When I am there I just relax

and let go....

I feel so 'held' there.

Why?

Well my mother was born there....

and I spent many happy hours

on holiday

and spending time 

with my grandparents

and my aunt and uncle.

When I was young,

my parents lived in the Midlands

and I suffered terribly with asthma.

It was felt that the sea air might help 

so off I went

to stay in Milford 

and go to school there for a while!

In those days

this area was all docks....

and to many fishing boats...

this was their home.

What a busy place it was then 

with the fishmarket,

the ice factory,

and all the rest of the things necessary 

for a thriving Fishing port!

I spent so much time here with my grandfather

who was an electrician on the docks.

In fact it was always said by the locals that he..

'lit up the docks'!!

as he installed the electric lighting!

I remember one day

my younger brother was fishing off the end of the pier for tiddlers 

and caught nothing.

Grandad took him into the fishmarket 

and bought a couple of fish.

My brother took them home... 

and told granny that he had caught them!

I don't know whether.... 

or not... 

she believed him 

as they were plaice 

(which can only be caught a long way from here)

anyway she was very convincing in her praise!!

In the records in this museum

it mentions about Grandad

and the lighting

My mother was a wren in the war

and the building she worked in 

as a communications officer

still stands on the docks.

It's used by the fisheries now.

When Mum comes to stay 

this is one of the places we visit

so many memories..

memories of drilling, 

with the other wrens from the wrennery, 

along the Rath...

memories of walking home in the pitch black after a duty and feeling rather frightened...

So many memories!!

This is Mum

outside her office

with her immediate superior.

Mum met my father when his ship

came into Milford with a big hole in the side!

He was on destroyers

and then submarines....

They were married here in Milford....

and Mum stayed with her parents 

until Dad 

came home from the war

So Milford settles and comforts me

when I feel rather

out of kilter.

Somehow I feel held and embraced!

This week 

I'm joining


The Tablescaper for....... Seasonal Sundays