08 | May | 2024 | Lakeland Canoe Club

Thursday 18th – Saturday 20th April

Day 1, Four Mile Bridge to Trearddur Bay

Paddlers: Pete, Ian, Phil, Simon

After a hearty breakfast in Morrisons, we had a plan. Weather was tricky today, some strong westerly winds, increasing as the day went on. Reasonable amount of swell too. We’d met early specifically to do plan A. Four mile bridge to Trearddur Bay. Just in case the weather worsened, we dropped two cars off. One in Trearddur Bay, and one in Rhoscolyn Bay. I was a little worried about the water level as we put on just after 11. I needn’t have been.

It’s a beautiful route down the Cymyran Strait. The route was more clear than when I’d done this previously and several times gone into dead ends and draining pools rather than the real way out. Strange remote properties line the banks, miles from anywhere. Rotten wooden boats slumber in the shallows, a stark contrast to the roar of jets from rookie pilots overhead. Just 45 minutes before we hit the open sea.

Turning out of the straights we get to see what we’ve got in store for us today. The wind was milder than expected but certainly present. A good 2 ft swell and crashing waves on the rocks. Looking at Phil, I notice his apprehension. Pairing up, we move forward. A brief stop and chat in Silver Bay, and we’re back out into the mess. Rock hopping is a delight towards Rhoscolyn. Pete relished the challenge of anything his boat could physically fit through.

A decision point at Rhoscolyn, my van parked up ready for a quick escape to the café. Enthusiasm and confidence was high, Phil too keen to press on. The next section to Trearddur Bay features Rhoscolyn Head and is fully open to the blustery conditions. The wind kindly held back. The waves less so, with 3ft breaking waves keeping it interesting.

It’s always further than you think to Trearddur Bay. Surfing into the bay was less appealing after a couple of hours of high alert. A sneak through to the south beach providing quick respite and a welcome rest. Everyone finished on a high.

Day 2, Menai Straits.

Paddlers: Ian B, Pete G, Simon L, Phil J, Chris W.

Force 5 gusting 7 forecast for the whole of Anglesey today. Not something we really wanted to be out in. We needed somewhere to hide. Menai Straits was the only good option. Our start point was Gallows Point, just north of Menai Bridge. It gets pretty shallow here at low tide, so a quick shuttle to Menai Bridge slipway, and we were soon on the water.

We were expecting at least some wind and chop, but there was nothing. Barely a whisper. A leisurely paddle and chat past numerous million pound mansions and scores of holiday homes, and we were at Menai Bridge in no time. At full pace the tide creates some interesting conditions between the two bridges between mainland and Anglesey, big eddies forming behind the towering concrete structures. There was some interest here today, but it wasn’t anywhere near as strong as expected. As we’d seen on Thursday, tides were surprisingly weaker than expected. A short play and we were ready to move on to Craig Du, our lunch spot.

We really were not expecting lunch in the sunshine, but that’s exactly what we had. Our kit nearly dry by the time we were ready to depart. I could have stayed there all afternoon. Our plan was to continue down to Y Felinheli and catch the (by then) changed tide back up to Menai Bridge. The tide was slowing as we passed the Nelson Monument. Plas Newydd House became visible in the distance, and beyond it the town of Y Felinheli. I’ve visited Plas Newydd (on foot) before. It’s an amazing, albeit empty house, devoid of the usual treasures you’d associate with a National Trust manor house. Interesting nonetheless, and intriguing enough to warrant a stop by boat. Pete and Chris climbed up to find the cafe and snap a photo or two.

By the time coffee was drunk and cake eaten, it was time to make a move back. Y Felinheli was a stretch too far for today, quickly identified by the quicken return pace. By the time we hit Britannia Bridge, we were moving at a 7+ knotts. Looking back Pete and Ian were far behind. Thinking we’d inconsiderately left them behind, I spun round and found an eddie. I was actually just that the tide rate after Britannia Bridge was about three times that of before. They caught up in about four minutes at most.

The final section back to Menai Bridge took no time at all, and we were all off the water bang on schedule. Pete and I topped the day off with a beer in the sunshine sitting by the slipway. A totally different day than ex

Day 3, Bull Bay to Cemaes Bay

Paddlers: Rob H, Chris W, Duncan G, Phil J, Ian B, Simon L, Pete G

Today we had two more paddlers joining the trip. Duncan and Rob had arrived a day early for the advanced trip to join us for a nice warm up paddle. A beautiful clear morning greeted us at Bull Bay. The shuttle to Cemaes Bay is a bit of a pain, but worth it to make the most of the tide. Numerous small caves and bays line the route along this coast line. There’s almost endless exploring and rock hopping to be had. Today’s calm conditions and warm sun made it all the more enjoyable.

The old brickworks at Porth Wen served as our lunch spot. A small group of young lads enjoying the sun, in t-shirts and shorts, clearly visible, and audible, as we approached. By the time we were sitting enjoying our lunch, they just fit into the background of a sunny day at the beach. The brickworks really are impressive. Technically private land, although they are accessible from nearby paths, you’re not supposed to enter the site. The sea approach is definitely the best way to view and experience them.

I’d briefed the group at the start of the day that we’ll be doing some navigation challenges. Porth Wen was the start, with Duncan set to find Hell’s Mouth, to which he promptly forgot and paddled right past it before realising. Passing the mantle over to Rob, with the additional challenge of being able to see the map without his reading glasses (a key learning point for several of the team). Rob, Chris and Pete had no problem at all finding increasingly more challenging rock outcrops and churches on the land high above.

Near Cemlyn Bay there’s a small, sheltered area of rocks. Perfect for some rescue practice. With warm(ish) water, and definitely warm sunshine, I thought this was our best opportunity for a bit of rescue practice. Everyone else looked less sure. Duncan kindly jumped in and got the ball rolling! 45 minutes of playing about, Duncan trying to turn 360 degrees on the back deck, Chris impressively showing off his re-enter and roll, Pete getting some cowboy practice, and Ian wisely staying dry. Time was getting away, with Ian and Phil heading home straight after, so it was time for a direct route to Cemaes Bay and back to the cars.