A week around Anglesey

[BruceK]

So Seastoke has this new boat, he is itching to use it in anger and I hear it has three fun boxes with one named after me and it's loaded with cold beverages. So what to do other than take a week off while the kids are on holiday and goof off bobbing about while abusing friendship privileges and denuding his boat of excess weight?

So with Northerly winds forecast we headed off to the south of the Island to Ynys Meibion where there are a number of secluded coves and sheltered waters to throw the hook in.

Stokesea's new palace. I'd like to point out here that despite his very earnest desire to finally show me a clean pair of heels I still was able to outrun him despite losing a prop and 1 engine Sorry bud, you'll need to aim higher next time

The Swellies looking unusually sedate

We past Vicky Dock where the harbour master duly noted the unfamiliar new Sealine F42/5 was well exceeding the speed limit and put the details down in his Black Book of Transgressions with which he'd later accost the skipper with, much to my merriment and revenge for Seastoke had led me astray when I was still new to the hobby and innocent, leaving me to carry the can.

Passing Caernarfon Bar we were delighted to see dolphins before the mist descended and we were left to grope our way to the anchorage off Ynys Meibion. I threw out the hook when the chart plotter said we were 50 yards off but was unable to see more than 20 in front of me. Radar would have been a boon!

It's there, 50 yards off, somewhere

We stayed here 2 nights on the hook BBQ'ing on the beach while the kids let off steam and requisitioned the tender in the fashion of Swallows and Amazons

 

[BruceK]

A rare shot of the lovely Dian Fossey and Digit :encouragement:

Roy really has found a beaut. We were all very impressed with his new boat. It looks like it just rolled out the show room.

With a forecast shift in wind direction we decided to head to the North of the island with a quick stop at Victoria dock for me to get a lift and prop change. It was now that Roy would get his comeuppance and have to look suitably abashed and grovel some and despite having his new flashy Gin Palace as the immediate back drop to big him up it wasn't enough to cut the mustard. Suitably told off we retired for the day

Amanzi in the slings

 

[BruceK]

If the mist had been bad on the first day it was a real peasouper when we left Victoria Dock for Cemaes. It was interesting to say the least as I do not have heading hold or auto pilot, and left to lead, without any visual reference point it was all I could do to keep the boat heading within a 30 degree off course wobble as I played a reactive game to the instrumentation rather than proactive steering inputs. Nonetheless we got to Cemaes without incident apart from losing Roy at one stage but with radar he soon was able to get a fix on Amanzi and catch up.

Kwakkers will be dismayed to see this. The Beast has been superseded by the competition. Velocity, claimed to be the world's fastest RIB if the hype is to be believed

In Cemaes, about to drop anchor and surrounded by rocks we are unable to see 30 yards either side. The second time on this trip we have had to enter a anchorage in this manner

 

[BruceK]

Short on water and time Roy followed us the next day to Porth Wen before catching the tide back to Conwy. We stayed another two days and did some exploring with the kids.

 

[Mike k]

fantastic report Bruce- a great adventure.

 

[burgundyben]

Best trip report for years. Looks smashing. What a fab time for the kids.

 

[BruceK]

Finally we upped anchor and returned on the Sunday to return to Conwy on millpond seas and fantastic weather.

with the flat seas it was easy to spot dolphins and in this instance porpoise. However they were feeding so we kept our distance

Entering Conwy

 

[andy59]

Thanks Bruce , great post , looks like a lovely place for boating . Have experienced the swellies once on a sea trial years ago and thought what a great place it was ( allthough scary )

 

[kashurst]

great post, good to see Seastokes new toy getting proper use. (it does look very good)
hope the great weather continues for you all in Conwy

 

[BruceK]

Thanks guys

Thanks Bruce , great post , looks like a lovely place for boating . Have experienced the swellies once on a sea trial years ago and thought what a great place it was ( allthough scary )

The Swellies is one of those places where you navigate it enough times you wonder what the fuss is all about but make a mistake and it can be very unforgiving.

 

[sprocker]

Excellent post as always Bruce, looks like you had a brilliant week.

 

[Nauti Fox]

Superb, thanks for posting

 

[oceanfroggie]

Superbly entertaining cruise report. Loved reading it. Thanks for making the effort to post.

 

[MrB]

Great cruise report, makes me miss the Welsh coast muchly having grown up in Pembrokeshire. Nice job and the boats look great too. Thanks for posting.:encouragement:

 

[bigwow]

Glad the boat dried out on the rock in pilots cove wasn't you Bruce, looks like you had a good time, as usual.:encouragement:

 

[BruceK]

Hey John :encouragement: I seem to keep missing you whenever I dare venture into the marina. Hope all is going well.

 

[bigwow]

Hey John :encouragement: I seem to keep missing you whenever I dare venture into the marina. Hope all is going well.

Getting better Bruce, managed to get Stephanie out on the boat for a couple of hours last Thursday so might get out more this year

 

[Seastoke]

thanks for a great week bruce ,let us know when you are off next so we can avoid it ,just my luck got in the marina and kwakers was there ,I would post some photos but they are all selfies

 

[BruceK]

Getting better Bruce, managed to get Stephanie out on the boat for a couple of hours last Thursday so might get out more this year

:encouragement:

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Brilliant report and pics, thanks for posting. Looks fantastic.