I prefer staying by anchor rather than visit difficult harbours - but of course that's not always an option.
I'm rarely using the technique with one anchor in the sea and ropes attached to land, but when I do, I have the anchor in the stern and the now towards land. I've heard it's normal in harbours in Greece, in my waters we only do it in natural or free harbours.
I'm frequently going single handedly, it can be pretty difficult sometimes.
oh yes i can imagine it is difficult on your own.... you need to be in three places at once. We love going stern to with long lines back to the bank if in a creek.