Published by the Open Canoe Sailing Group

Anglesey - A Bit Of This, A Bit Of That (KeithM)

The weather, particularly the wind forecast, for the weekend 4-5 June was not very optimistic - too much breeze at nothing less than force 4 all weekend being forecast from most sources. This may have accounted for the select turnout of just 8 sailors plus Joyce in the Honorary Shore Support (and Knitting) Role. Jim and Wally had ventured out in their outrigger canoes on Friday before the rest of us arrived and had had a brief do on the sheltered bit of Silver Bay, where they were staying (unlike the rest of us who were on the small but nicely appointed nearby Outdoor Alternative site). Joyce had shared her disquiet about the chaps being out in the blowy conditions and they had wisely used discretion and retired to their accommodation for refreshments. Which is where I found them, soon after our teatime arrival, part way down a bottle of wine. Discussions ensued, with pessimism over our chances for getting on the water at all on Saturday. We later convened in the Silver Bay snug to drown our sorrows, rather than ourselves. On returning to the campsite at nearly midnight we found Emma and JamesB putting up their rather splendid tepee. They had endured an eleven-hour journey from the far end of Cornwall to join us and should get an award for such patience and determination.

On left: A contrast - Emma & JamesB by the beach and then on the high seas (mountains are just visible on the left).

Our pessimism was borne out the next morning with the sight of many whitecaps speckling the sea throughout the day; it was blowing just as the forecasts had predicted - F5 to 6 from the SW. To use the time gainfully Alison and JohnH went running to Treaddur and back, Emma and James went for a drive round Snowdonia, Renate and Paul went to see Beaumaris Castle, Ann and I went cycling, I'm not sure what Wally and Jim did but Joyce would have done some knitting, I'm sure. Some of us dined out at the local Thai place and most repaired to the bar for a nightcap.

Some of the forecasts suggested that there might be less wind in the morning so we decided to make a decision as early as possible next morning to try and catch the tide up the creek to Four-Mile Bridge. At 8 am there seemed to be very little wind on the campsite and the sea looked virtually devoid of white bits - so we went for it.

From the campsite direct access to Rhoscolyn beach is initially by trolleying one's canoe down a gravel track and through a couple of gates; but then a kissing gate and a short section of very narrow footpath have to be negotiated. Teamwork was the order of the day and after some minutes of exertion we

On left: We can see why Keith is asking for a new venue by the sea. Here James, Paul, Renate & Keith are negotiating the stile to get to the beach.

were soon all rigging and launching from the sandy beach. Wind conditions were fairly benign, particularly within the sheltered bay, perhaps F1 or 2 SW.

Eventually all four boats (all crewed by his-and-her partnerships, it is interesting to note) reached the mouth of the bay where we met not only Jim and Wally round from Silver Bay, but also a fairly boisterous and confused swell, left over from the recent winds.

On left: As we have known for some time, JimB is an exceptional fellow, but we never thought that he'd be able to sail without a boat. Clearly he did, at Rhoscolyn.

A bouncy run along the rocky shoreline and past a few skerries took us to the entrance to the creek, where I was disappointed to find the tide already running out against us. Had we missed our chance to get up to the bridge and a spot of brunch? The wind, although light, was sufficient to drive us up against the ebb. Soon we found the adverse current had eased, leaving us the pleasant task of coaxing the canoes up the channel, which is in places narrow, in others wide and often meandering. I could hardly believe it when, after about an hour of playing touch-and-go, we landed on smelly mud next to the bridge. Ann decided that a Torvill and Dean impersonation was the best way to stretch her limbs after being confined in the boat for a couple of hours, but I failed to catch her following her triple salko. It was a good excuse to sponge down her trousers while she was still wearing them. Naturally a celebratory snack at the café was taken but, back at her caravan, Joyce's knitting had to be disturbed so that James and Emma could fetch their vehicle and get on their long way back to the West Country. Thanks again to Joyce's Taxis for such great service.

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