Cruising North Wales

[harstonwood]

Agree with Searush's post

Porth Dinllaen Not to be missed..............stunning bay, great pub etc

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

Forget twigs and rags. North West Wales is best explored in a kayak using the swell to assist rock hopping. Fun when you get it right. Getting it wrong is best done in a plastic (x linked is best) boat.

 

[Searush]

Forget twigs and rags. North West Wales is best explored in a kayak using the swell to assist rock hopping. Fun when you get it right. Getting it wrong is best done in a plastic (x linked is best) boat.

Absolutely true - so many lovely cliffs, rocks, caves & coves to explore, but a rubber duck is a good substitute & your cruiser provides overnight capability too.

Porth Wen (old brickworks) is worth a visit - but not if there is any Northerly in the wind.

Given settled weather entering the Skerries Lagoon under the lighthouse is utterly mindblowing, but do have someone on the bow conning for rocks that will not be distracted by the seals swimming up to check you out. My son hit a big rock with my boat when I was conning him in cos I watched the seals instead! I think we knocked a few cms off the top of it tho so you may pass over it!

 

[cardinals]

Not forgetting a night at anchor at Abermenai (W of Caernarfon)

Safe anchorage with stunning views and tranquility.

You'll often have it to yourself during the week.

 

[Searush]

Not forgetting a night at anchor at Abermenai (W of Caernarfon)

Safe anchorage with stunning views and tranquility.

You'll often have it to yourself during the week.

Here's a few piccies to whet your appetite;

Sunset at AberMenai, earlier this year.

Rowan bay, south of Port Dinorwic, mainland side, last autumn;

In the Skerries lagoon, this summer;

Caernarfon

Passing South Stack, nr Hollyhead;

My fave anchorage at Mermaid's Cove, Llandwyn Island;

 

[tyce]

Again thanks for all the suggestions and the pictures look amazing, roll on summer!

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

Porth Wen (old brickworks) is worth a visit - but not if there is any Northerly in the wind.

Are there any kilns still standing? I seem to recall that erosion was making them head in to the sea? Cold things to overnight in though. We did start a fire but some "£$%^&*( decided that gorse would do well as fuel.

 

[akyaka]

You could spend a week just circumnavigating Anglesey. Apart from all of the deep water anchorages that have been mentioned its a great place for a bilge keeler.

Beaumaris where you can dry out on Gallows Point, there are painted marks on the road wall to ensure that your keels are in the mud and bow over the stone and you have use of the NWVYC shower and heads facilities.

Aber Menai - better going a little further in and drying out as the the holding in the deep water channel is iffy as an alternative you can go across to Fort Belan which dries out to lovely mud but watch for old moorings.

Mermaids Cove, inshore of Pilots Cove.

Red Wharf Bay, but it has changed significantly this year, and the sailing club there.

As has been said look at the NWVYC web site and their Anglesey Pilot authored by Ralph Morris is a must buy.

 

[Searush]

Are there any kilns still standing? I seem to recall that erosion was making them head in to the sea? Cold things to overnight in though. We did start a fire but some "£$%^&*( decided that gorse would do well as fuel.

Still the big round kiln in the yard with the arched entrances. Looked recently used too. Probably a good spot for a barbie if it rains, but, yes you would need to stick to charcoal rather than gorse as fuel unless you like your food (& the diners) well smoked.

 

[akyaka]

Porth Wen Anchorage

http://www.nwvyc.org.uk/images/GatheringLarge.jpg

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

Still the big round kiln in the yard with the arched entrances. Looked recently used too. Probably a good spot for a barbie if it rains, but, yes you would need to stick to charcoal rather than gorse as fuel unless you like your food (& the diners) well smoked.

Thanks. Smoked out we were.

I seem to have made an error with the place name. The first time I saw it there were four kilns and some ruins, then three kilns and a pile of bricks in the sea with the erosion heading for the third. Between Amlwch and Cemaes.

 

[Searush]

Porth Wen is indeed where you say, here is the link to Google earth

I think there is another brickworks, close N of Carmel head. Here? This has road access rather than just a footpath, & no sign of any kilns any more.

 

[LittleShip]

Went home from Holyhead on the train last year and someone had painted cherry red lips on one of the Lions, made me smile I have to say.

Tom

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

Thanks

 

[Shuggy]

Rowan bay, south of Port Dinorwic, mainland side, last autumn;

How bizarre - I saw Providence on Friday in Scotland...

 

[Searush]

How bizarre - I saw Providence on Friday in Scotland...

Yep, James sold her earlier this year. Lovely boat, the new owner has a bargain I reckon. And James now has a more manageable boat for his current needs.

 

[LittleShip]

Yep, James sold her earlier this year. Lovely boat, the new owner has a bargain I reckon. And James now has a more manageable boat for his current needs.

Apparently it's going off to New Zealand in the spring, or thats what is planned for her. Very nice long distance boat but wasted pottering around Wales, although we did enjoy using her as our social club

Tom

 

[savageseadog]

There's a very useful stopover at St George's pier at Menai Bridge, tie up to the Prince Madoc if it's there check with the captain or crew when they are departing.

Beaumaris if a terrific place but you'll have to anchor or borrow a mooring.

The Menai Strait is a pig of a place to be in strong South Westerlies or North Easterlies except for sheltered spots near the Swellies or the two marinas. The South and West coasts of Anglesey are truly beautiful but you need fairly settled weather or offshore winds to anchor in the many bays.

 

[akyaka]

The Menai Strait is a pig of a place to be in strong South Westerlies or North Easterlies except for sheltered spots near the Swellies or the two marinas

The Straits on the Anglesey side is generally sheltered from south westerlies.Tucked up in Aber Menai with a strong south westerly blowing and listening to the surf pounding out on the bar beyond the sheltering sand dunes is very soporific.

If you tie up alongside St Georges Pier in Menai Bridge overnight you may find that you get charged.

Beaumaris Pier has been undergoing a major refurbishment this year including the provision of a floating landing platform.However I have heard that access will only be available to local commercial businesses; if so how shortsighted .

 

[Skylark]

This thread, and especially those nice pictures posted by that searush chap, is making North Wales look like a great cruising place.

Can you tone it down a bit, please, or they'll all want to come