Conwy to Aberdovey and back

[BruceK]

So took a two week holiday on the boat and the weather forecast scuppered plans for going to Scotland so we simply went where there was a windward shore. It was the first time we took Dumbass the Staffie with too. Turned out he was an old salt and didnt chew any of the boat's furnishings.

Leaving Conwy River

First stop Caernarfon into Victoria Dock as the wind direction was forecast to shift in the middle of the night which would upset anchorage plans

Caernarfon Castle

The next morning we set off and anchored off Aber Menai where we met Sea Rush and taught the kids to kneeboard. Bear in mind that they cant swim so this was a major feat of courage for them.

Cabbage No3 cant swim. God bless her she's brave and game though.

to be continued...

 

[BruceK]

The next morning our cruising companion had drifted on the anchor to shallow water. Too much scope out. Pulled him off with the dingy after raising the drives and set off for Ty Coch and Porth Dinllaen

Chris and Jane our cruising companions

The Admiral and Cabbage No3

While eating lunch a strong north wind picked up and turned the bay into a heaving mess. Casualty included dropping my outboard into the brinny for a second time trying to transfer her to Amanzi and in the process of diving over to grab her before she sank out of sight popping the wrist strap of my watch and loosing that to Davey Jones. He got the better deal the bastid.

As the wind had shifted we could not stay on anchor so retraced our steps to LLandwyn Island and Pilot's Cove for an anchorage but it was crowded to moved over to Dinas Trefriw for a night's anchorage.

Seasick Cabbage

 

[BruceK]

Entering Dinas Trefriw

Old Salty the Dumbass Staffie

Cabbage No2 starting the BBQ fires.

The next afternoon the wind changed again so we headed south of the Lleyn to Pwhelli.

Bardsey

St Tudwal

Hells Mouth

Abersoch

 

[BruceK]

The next two nights were in Pwhelli

Cruising down to Aberdovey for their village festival we came across a pod of dolphins who being uninterested in us proved rather hard to catch a photo of. We resorted to film .

Approaching Aberdovey

 

[BruceK]

We picked up two deep water moorings at Aberdovey and were directed in and made welcome by very friendly harbour authorities. We spend 2 nights and 3 days here it was such a wonderful spot. Highly recommended, but entry into the estuary can be a bit ropey so take advice.

As mentioned Aberdovey was having it's annual festival and put on a fireworks display. Not to be outdone the village on the otherside of the estuary put on an even better display immediately after Aberdovey's showing finished. God Bless small village competitiveness.

Chris giving Amanzi's dirty bum a scape off

Dumbass the Staffie finds a toy on the beach and adopts it.

 

[BruceK]

Storm wind forecasts saw us flee to Pwlhelli for a couple of days

Leaving Pwlhelli for Porthdinllaen

Bear Grylls's crib, apparently

Soon after this we hit the overfalls of Bardsey sound. No pics because we were wetting ourselves.

 

[BruceK]

Back in Porthdinllaen we dived on the last anchorage where I had lost my watch but had no joy

Dumbass the Staffie falls for a leggy brunette

We spent two days in Victoria dock while I sorted out my boat which had shipped water in Bardsey sound and caused the demise of one alternator and some peripheral electrics through shorting.

Dumbass dreaming of leggy brunettes.

What we believe was the Flying Scotsman coming into Conwy on our return

 

[Danfarry]

Looks like a proper trip that Bruce and a very thorough report! Sorry to hear about the the problems you had but looks like a success on the whole

 

[BruceK]

It was an alterntor. 128 quid and some fettling. No hurt just a small delay.

 

[Seastoke]

Great post how did water get in

 

[BruceK]

Through the engine bay breather vents is the most likely culprit. On each side one vent points forward the other back. Some of the waves especially at the bar were tall, had a very short period and steep face so the boat sliced through rather than over. Had as much green water on my foredeck as hull at times. I thought it might be raw water cooling leak somewhere and wrapped all the pipes in tissue to find a leak on the trip to Conwy. But nothing. Not a hint of a dribble. All rather strange tbh.

 

[jfm]

Wow thanks for all the great pictures. I enjoyed reading all that. :encouragement: Two very nice boats! Would be nice to see video of your Formula underway if you have any.

 

[longjohnsilver]

That looks like a great family holiday, lots of great memories, exactly what cruising is all about. I bet your kids will never forget it.

 

[BruceK]

Wow thanks for all the great pictures. I enjoyed reading all that. :encouragement: Two very nice boats! Would be nice to see video of your Formula underway if you have any.

Thank you. Always a bit difficult that when relying on somebody else to get a decent shot. Not that mine aren't anything more than snaps done on a mobile phone while bouncing about at the helm. On this trip though Chris, my cruising companion in the Princess V40 took a load of videos and pictures but had the misfortune of destroying his phone while disembarking his tender in a shore break on the 4th day. To be fair I lost an electronic gizmo in the same shore break too. Waves were only a foot high but it's surprising what they will do to a tender at the point they are about to break and roll when you are trying to disembark and lift the motor.

 

[BruceK]

That looks like a great family holiday, lots of great memories, exactly what cruising is all about. I bet your kids will never forget it.

They love the water toys which is surprising as neither can swim. I am careful not to push that element and put them off the water. Both went to Puddle Ducks swimming classes from the age of 1 but haven't quite got past the 5 yard doggy paddle. I learnt to swim late myself. Self taught and went on to play firsts in Water Polo. It'll come to them, they're confident enough.

 

[omega2]

Thanks for sharing, and yes that Bar at Aberdovey can get quite"interesting"

https://youtu.be/b5gE0dKoDGo