So here we go,
the Anglesey circumnavigation. The big plan with this trip was to highlight the
beauty of the area that would be lost to the public should there ever be a
nuclear accident at the new proposed Wylfa power station.
As a giudeline
the exclusion zone around Fukushima is 20KM (12miles) though the nuclear
contamination has spread much further.
I was meeting up
with Bruce Waddecar for this trip & we had allowed upto 4 days for the
journey.
We met at
Trearddur Bay but decided it was far too windy there to start so we headed to
Cemaes Bay the night before the start & agreed to set off at 09:00
following the tide East. I had worked out a plan A, B & C for the first couple
of days as Bruce was recovering from a bad cold.
We’ll just get on
the water & see what happens.
Day 1. So the
when the big day arrived we rose early from our camper vans & was greeted
by a stiff breeze at Cemaes, we decide to go anyway & didnt evan discuss
not going for it. We loaded the kayaks, a new for Bruce & I think he was
wondering wether his would still float?
A little after
09:00 we were underway & straight into some choppy water as we left the
shelter of the bay.
It was a good
start, the wind was stiff but on our backs & we were flying along reaching
Point Lynas in just a smidge over an hour. From here however it went downhill
as were were getting blown offshore & battling a headwind to reach the
shelter of the cliffs by Freshwater Bay.
Time for a
reality check! We wanted to paddle offshore & use the current to swing us
around the Island to our prefrred campspot at Lleiniog on the Menai but that clearly wasnt possable,
time for plan B.
We decided to hug
the shore & had to paddle very hard to reach Traeth yr Ora where we took a
lunch break. The headwind into the beach really sucked! Continuing on we
decided to hug the shore & see how we go, the thought of an early camp in
my mind. We pulled in again at Traeth Bychan just South of Moelfre &
decided to sit out the wind or set camp, the wind was forecast to die down a
little so we could have tea here & paddle into the evening if needed?
In the end it was
needed, our deadline for the turn of the tide at Penmon Point was passed but we
could still reach & set camp on the North side of the point which would put
us in a great position for day two. It wasn’t an easy paddle however, the wind
was still preasant & really made its presense felt as we cut the corner
paddling offshore across Red Wharf Bay. It became really quite rough out there
with plenty of surfing but the wind would catch the boat & turn me inshore
whenever I caught a wave, it was very frustrating but things soon calmed down
again as we reached the other side of the bay & we had a gentle paddle onto
our campspot at Penmon.
The Start at Cemaes Bay.
My paddling partner for the trip Bruce Waddecar, we've not met before so it should be interesting.
A bit choppy leaving the bay.
Bruces face when I told him how many miles I expected :P
Passing Middle Mouse,
And the Brickworks.
A breif stop near Freshwater Bay.
Approaching Ynys Dulas.
Traeth yr Ora.
Approaching Moelfre
Moelfre Lifeboat station.
A well needed & very long break at Traeth Bychan.
Benllech sand prior to crossing Red Wharf Bay. Looks OK from here :oS
Penmon come into view.
Trwyn Du lighthouse.
Bruce showing me his favourite position ;)
Day 2. More hard work today, we were up at 3AM to catch the tide through the Menai with a plan to stop at Abermenai Point & have a big break/snooze?
I was very chirpy
about being up so early & really looking forward to the day, that was soon
to change!
We got packed
& undeway & headed into the Menai & a headwind, this was gonna be a
slog despite the fast currents pushing us on. To add to this Bruce wasn’t
feeling so great clearly not over his cold. I suggested that we should stop
just past the Swellies & set camp, if he feels better later we could catch
the evening tide out of the Menai & set camp in the dunes somewhere along
the South Western side of the island & thats exactly what we did.
We both got some
sleep, rest, coffee & food, lots of food getting refueled ready for later.
16:00 & we
were off again shooting along on the fast currents & making Abermenai Point
in no time at all. A very welcome sight, we were making progress.
We pushed on to Lladdwyn but now it was my turn to
be tired, I could have pushed on but I wanted to save energy for day 3 so I
suggested we set camp just North of the Island in the dunes. A very beautiful
spot indeed despite the rain :)
Beaumaris Pier.
Approaching the Swellies with a stiff headwind.
The suspension bridge comes into view.
Britannia Bridge (I think?).
Home sweet home, we set camp just under the second bridge in the small nature reserve there. It was a lovely & most welcome spot to sleep.
16:00 & getting ready to go again.
Caernarfon.
Lladdwyn Island.
Heading for camp.
Home for the night, lovely evan in the rain.
Day 3. The tide
at Lladdwyn turns much later than on the Menai so no 3AM start for us today, a
lazy 8AM would do nicely.
We wanted to make
up some miles today, maybe evan finish, we would see? We stayed well offshore
all the way to Rhoscolyn using as much of the fast tidal streams as we could
though the final few miles really sucked & I was getting very hungary. I
suggested we stop at Trearddur Bay for water & provisions before continuing,
it meant dropping out of the tide & losing time but this trip isn’t a race,
its supposed to be fun.
At Trearddur Bay
I scoff a tin of cold baked beans & a pack of jammie dodgers & was
feeling good to go.
Next was what was
possably the crux of the trip, Penrhyn Mawr & the Stacks.
Penrhyn Mawr was
pretty big & messy & certainly got my hearbeat up a few notches, Bruce
didnt seem worried?
Next was the
Stacks & they were dead flat, looks like we’ll make it.
From North Stack
Bruce wanted to cross the 10KM into a headwind to Church Bay back on Anglesey.
I really wasnt keen, I felt fresh but knew that could change & we had been
paddling all day. From some quick calculations I worked out it would take a
couple of hours, we gave it a go & it went well enough but I was right
about the time to cross, double what it should have taken.
From Church Bay
we both had an idea where to camp, they sounded similar though different, just
turns out I had the name wrong! Ynys y Fydlyn just 3KM North was to be our
home for the night & what a home, the best camp spot yet!
Steve launching (literally) for the days paddle.
Staying well offshore to catch the current.
Finally reaching Rhoscolyn.
The tail end of Penrhyn Mawr, I was keeping hold of the paddle during the bumpier bits!
North Stack.
Ynys y Fydlyn.
Camp life.
Skerries in the distance.
Day 4. We had a
lovely night at Ynys y Fydlyn & a campfire too thanks to Bruce Mears.
The morning was
equally as lazy as there was no need to rush as the tide turned around midday.
Our plan was to kill time with a diversion to the Skerries, a pretty awesome
plan & a first for Bruce.
We set off
earlier than needed & just pottered around in the rocks & caves
enjoying the rather exceptional landscape around Carmel Head.
After some um’ing
& ah’ing & looking at watches & tidal flow we went for it taking a
guesstimate angle out to the Skerries. Bruce went wide & I aimed for a
rather rude looking cloud as I thought it a good omen. As it happens the rude
cloud was good, just 50 metres short & a wee push along the rocks to make
it into the bay.
The wildlife
throughout the trip has been superb but the Skerries is evan better, with lots
of Seals, Jellies, Terns & Puffins, its a magical place.
We had a good
couple of hours relaxing on the Island, contemplating the journey we’ve had
& looking forward to the paddle back.
The return trip
to Cemaes was very uneventful, mirror sea’s & little evidence of the fast
currents the area is known for. I was enjoying using transits to work out my
position & guesstimate our arrival time, good 5 star practice.
I passed the
hideous blot on the landscape that is the power station at Wylfa & paddled
unceromonially into Cemaes ending the trip with a victory roll.
Time to go get
the vans.
Waking to a beautiful morning.
And clear sea's.
And caves :)
eyeing up our next destination.
Arriving at the Skerries.
A Lions Mane jelliy fish.
Lots & Lots of wildlife,
More wildlife,
And evan more wildlife ;)
The paddle back, not too far.
Blot on the landscape & a dangerous one at that!
Weeeeee, bubble bath :)
Posing.
Arriving at Cemaes with some nice clean renewable energy beacons to greet us.
Cheesy finish line shot :)
In conclusion I
would say it was a fantastic trip & highly recomend it to other sea
kayakers.
I think we’ve
shown the beauty & variety of this magical island, Ynys Mon, the Druids
Isle.
I dont beleive
nuclear power has a future & certainly not in a place of outstanding
natural beauty. Those who condone nuclear as a source of power do so selfishly
for their own conveiniance & lifestyle & those who work in the industry
gamble with their childrens futures for the sake of an income leaving a legecy of
waste behind them.
Paddling into
Cemaes I was at least heartened to see the future in the form of clean
renewable energy standing proud on the horizon. That conbined with less greed
has to be the way forward.
Time to look forward to the next adventure :)
What a great trip Taran, you have some really great photos.
ReplyDeleteWe have two blots on our local water, Hunterston A and Hunterston B. However, I don't share your enthusiasm for windmills. Scotland's wild places are being industrialised by them and the huge amounts of CO2 generated in the construction of their concrete bases is even more of a threat to the environment than radioactivity.
The real problem is too many people using too much energy and the solution is to reduce the population. A number of scenarios might achieve this: voluntary, starvation, disease or war. It's our choice.
Anyway what a great adventure you have had :o)
Great, and amazing pictures.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Douglas, Population is the key to the problem but no one like to discuss that, not pc I guess unless your chinese :/
ReplyDeleteI personally would like to see less dependance on power & windmills put in urban & industrialised area's as these are ugly already so will hardly destroy the view.
An industrial site near to where my Mum lives has a huge windmill & I think it adds to the view & provides clean energy for the power addicts out there :)