Destination N Wales

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mickyb

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Right ladies and gentlemen - bit of a moment for me...

my new(ish) boat Panama Jack and her crew are about to embark on our first longish cruise mission.. "The italwelshian Job"...

Next friday (21st) myself and 3 other sea adoring fools are going to leave Fleetwood harbour (as long as the weather's kind) aboard my fairly newly acquired but semi-vintage Sealine 290 for the much cherished cruising grounds of N Wales and the Menai Strait (this will be my first proper trip).

PJ is out of the water at the mo getting new anodes, some antifoul, a darn good polish, a new trim tab gator and some funky lights - she hopefully goes back in around the middle of next week..

The plan is to finish work and leave fleetwood on the late tide friday 21st (tea time), 2 choices - either head straight for liverpool, just chugging slowly through the night with some relaxed fishing on the way (not that we ever catch owt) and getting in early morning, or we could go to piel island (barrow in furness way), pick up a buoy and get some shut-eye (we can get in or out of there any state of the tide), eitherway getting into liverpool in the morning or early evening tide on Sat would be fine..

It would be nice to spend a little bit of time in Liverpool - coupla pints of guinness in Rosie o'gradys, maybe listen to the Beatles :D.. Then depending on the mood (and amount of kip we get) we could either take the Sunday morning tide, or the evening one and go to Conwy.. Conwy's lovely - I believe the marina's friendly and near the town too.. perfect!

After that, dont know when, but once hangovers have settled and crew adrenaline has built, the plan is to have a go at the Menai (and more scarily, THE SWELLIES :eek: - we will plan this bit v carefully) and hopefully get to Caernarvon (not sure how you spell it).. Thats as far as the plan goes.. After that we either find somewhere else around the top of N wales to stay, brave it a bit further down the Welsh coast, maybe going on towards abersoch or go back through the Menai and head for Douglas (IOM) or even go home... Any suggestions for someone who's never been before?

The point is this... This is my first proper sea trip and you seasoned, off-shore, astro navigation loving, salty, hurricane bashing sea dogs might think im a wuss (which, yes, you may have a point), but I just want to have a lovely week, I don't want to get into any trouble, put any one at risk or indeed risk harm to my pride and Joy - Panama Jack..

I must mention, I don't want you to think we're by any means naive or daft, my brother who's coming along has all the YM Ocean theory and some of the practical experience, im pretty competent at nav (I fly for a living), I have a brilliant new chart plotter, Hand bearing compass and all the paper charts, almanac, irish sea pilot book and all the safety gear..

I would just be incredibly grateful for any words of advice/pointers from all of you, especially the welsh lot.. Anyone offering pearls of wisdom will be generously rewarded with freedom to indulge in PJ's endless booze cabinet at our various Welsh destinations.. ( i believe Kawasaki likes booze... mmm lovely booze..)

Thought that might be an incentive.. :D

ps Phiiz - Ive learned to park the bloomin thing now - (My last post a bit ago about being **** at boat handling no longer applies, so no need to get your extra fenders out the shed).

Best wishes
Mike
 
Sounds like a good trip Mike...

As you have already mentioned, it will make good sense to have plenty of suitable supplies onboard once inside the Menai Strait :)

Definitely make peace with the local chief.......Kwacka (god of turbulent water), I think his name is.
Some say he has descended from a warrior race, and guards the sacred passage called the swellies from intruders, but can be bought off with suitable amounts of malt whisky (water of life....makes him strong).
 
AndieMac said:
Sounds like a good trip Mike...

As you have already mentioned, it will make good sense to have plenty of suitable supplies onboard once inside the Menai Strait
but can be bought off with suitable amounts of malt whisky (water of life....makes him strong).
Click to expand...

Ahoy mickyb!

Words of wisdom from AndieMac;)
As MC has pointed out, the drinks cabinet is one of the most essential items on a vessel bound for these parts.
Most of the Gang will be about aound the time of your ETA

I,ll be afloat on summat or other.
Contact No. on the way to you.
So either on here or by telling bone or VHF even, let us know when you hit (no pun intended!:)) Conwy.

One of us at least will be able to have a laugh, sorry! guide you through 'The Bridges:D
See you soon then
K:)
 
Mike,

Little Ship will be very pleased that you are coming to North Wales as it will relive the burden on her Fun Box (drinks cabinet) :)

Liverpool is a good marina (IMHO) and only a short walk from the town. That said it is 15miles from the Safe water mark to the lock gates down the channel. I was berthed in Liverpool for about 3 years, the channel was the down side to being there.

I would probably think of getting over to Anglesey and dropping anchor in Molfra it wont be that much further if you add the channel to your journey, and then wait for a few hours, then you can decide if you want to go to Conwy on a rising tide or down the Menia canal for some easy cruising.

We can always arrange a raiding...... a group to provide an escort through the lumpy bits. As Major said Port Dinorwic is another spot you should consider for a night, and remember the more visitors we get the less we will have to pay for a berth :)

See you somewhere on the weekend of the 21st somewhere on the water. :)

Tom
 
Port Dinorwic - hmm never thought of going there for a night (its a nice place isn't it.. went there with my parents caravanning 25 years ago) I will google it..

Thanks for your replies by the way!

I am well aware that many a respectable vessel has naively strayed into these parts with a fairly well stocked bar, fresh delicious barbeque food and sensible friendly crew.. With devastating consequences.

Ive heard that there is a strange phenomenon that can occur just after docking. Apparently the boat is targeted by these creatures, the ENTIRE stash could be completely and systematically decimated in minutes! Food gorged on (barely even cooked), whisky being swilled wildly like water, other booze cabinet contents being mixed into a toxic punch that could knock out an elephant, and all the while any spillages actually physically licked up off the pontoon! maybe a fight or two could break out and the previously friendly sensible crew have been turned into wild animals.. :eek:

Guess I will just have to be careful :D

Cant wait!
M :)
 
mickyb said:
Ive heard that there is a strange phenomenon that can occur just after docking. Apparently the boat is targeted by these creatures, the ENTIRE stash could be completely and systematically decimated in minutes! Food gorged on (barely even cooked), whisky being swilled wildly like water, other booze cabinet contents being mixed into a toxic punch that could knock out an elephant, and all the while any spillages actually physically licked up off the pontoon! maybe a fight or two could break out and the previously friendly sensible crew have been turned into wild animals..
Click to expand...

That's just Kawasaki. The rest of us will be stripping your vessel of anything remotely useful.
 
mickyb

Destination N Wales

We should be some where around about then.

A nice trip is through the swellies to PD or Conarvon, then round to Holyhead, with a few lunch stops on the way. That will set you up well for the IOM, or back to Fleetwood.
 
mickyb said:
Ive heard that there is a strange phenomenon that can occur just after docking. Apparently the boat is targeted by these creatures, the ENTIRE stash could be completely and systematically decimated in minutes! Food gorged on (barely even cooked), whisky being swilled wildly like water, other booze cabinet contents being mixed into a toxic punch that could knock out an elephant, and all the while any spillages actually physically licked up off the pontoon! maybe a fight or two could break out and the previously friendly sensible crew have been turned into wild animals.. :eek:
Click to expand...

That's a very fertile imagination you have there Mike.....where do you get this stuff from :D

Sounds as though you will fit right in. :)
 
Originally Posted by mickyb
Ive heard that there is a strange phenomenon that can occur just after docking. Apparently the boat is targeted by these creatures, the ENTIRE stash could be completely and systematically decimated in minutes! Food gorged on (barely even cooked), whisky being swilled wildly like water, other booze cabinet contents being mixed into a toxic punch that could knock out an elephant, and all the while any spillages actually physically licked up off the pontoon! maybe a fight or two could break out and the previously friendly sensible crew have been turned into wild animals..

Yep, thats quite normal in Wales. But theres a shop round the corner for refills and perscripions are free. So not so much a problem.
 
Thanks HLB, I think your the ONLY one that hasn't mentioned the booze cabinet! :D

Now, your obviously either tea total or part of their cunning plan - the others send you in first to scope out the situation, assess booze levels in the cabinet whilst the others are poised to launch the first raid on your command :eek:

Hello AndieMac - its not so much a 'fertile' imagination, its more a 'juvenile' imagination.. :D

Thanks everyone for being so welcoming (before we've even got there)..

Mike
 
mickyb said:
Port Dinorwic .

Ive heard that there is a strange phenomenon that can occur just after docking. Apparently the boat is targeted by these creatures, the ENTIRE stash could be completely and systematically decimated in minutes! Food gorged on (barely even cooked), whisky being swilled wildly like water, other booze cabinet contents being mixed into a toxic punch that could knock out an elephant, and all the while any spillages actually physically licked up off the pontoon! maybe a fight or two could break out and the previously friendly sensible crew have been turned into wild animals.. :eek:


!
M :)
Click to expand...

That's the scurvy crew of funboxers that I was trying to warn everyone about in an earlier post. Port Dinorwic? Careful, you'll be heading into jaws of the beasts. How do you think Mr. LittleShip keeps his stock replenished . ;)
 
mickyb said:
Thanks HLB,
Now, your obviously teetotal
Mike
Click to expand...

10o1853_th.jpg
 
Ok, a few more comments;

River Mersey is "interesting". It is very exposed to NW & has very big tides (up to 12m springs) so it can be 'orrible wobbly on the ebb. As already mentioned, it is 15 miles from the bar light to the marina gates & very little shelter along the way.

Conway marina is some distance from the town to walk - and not a direct route. You can berth on pontoons in the river & get the water taxi (£1 a trip IIRC) to the jetty in the heart of the town. Again it is about 20 mins (at displacement speed) down the channel to the marina from the first bouys.

As Tom (LS) says, Moelfre isn't a bad spot to pause for breath, but if the weather is Northerly, go thro' Puffin Sound (but avoid 1/2 tide ebb) and pick up a mooring somewhere near the Gazzelle (google it) opposite Bangor.

Many of the best places around Anglesey dry at low water, but there are many deep water moorings thro the straits that can be "borrowed" short term and there are marinas at PD, Victoria Dock (Caernarfon), Holyhead and also "pens" at Amlwch. Get yourself a decent pilot - Morris' Anglesey & Adjoining Waters (Imray) is good but costs 20 squid-ish. Any of the old out of date ones (Kemp, Glazebrook etc) will cover the main points well - the tides & rocks don't chage that much.

Do not miss Llandwyn Island on the SW corner if you have a dink to get ashore & enjoy the wild places. Enjoy, Steve K
 
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