Anglesey Weekend #4 Sunday 27th Sept Menai Straits

Anglesey Weekend #4 Sunday 27th Sept Menai Straits by Christine B

Paddlers setting out … Keith, Ian, Brian, Mike, Andy, Ali, Olwyn, Ella and myself

The group of paddlers had reduced from Saturday to those keen participants!!!  The weather forecast wasn’t the best for paddling, with the Met Office giving heavy rain all morning and all weather sites forecasting high wind (Force 7 gusting 8) and higher gusts from the Southeast.  The only place to paddle was the Menai Straits with some protection from the wind.

Tide times meant an early start, as being springs the flow at its peak in the straits between the bridges was 7.7Knts, not something we could paddle against. The earliest we thought we could leave Tyn Rhos campsite was 7:00 am.  So, by 7:00 am there was a line of cars and vans ready to leave but no open gate….. Discussions took place looking for other options, and even given the weather, we thought the gate may not open until 8:00 am, so just head straight for coffee.  However, just after 7:30 am the gate was tried again by putting the code in – no automatic opening for the already waiting cars – and it opened, so the Wacky races began to Anglesey Zoo to offload boats.

At the put-in, we found 3 campervans wild camping – but not for long; they all left the layby shortly after our arrival – was it something we said? Once the boats were offloaded, the 7 vehicles headed to Menai Bridge to park and for Brian to bring everyone back in his van, leaving me alone for the 40+ minute round trip to look after boats, chat to the locals and tourists ….

Before the group returned, the wind gusts picked up, becoming very strong. I hoped there had been a change of decision at Menai Bridge and coffee was the preferred option. This was not to be, and seconds later Brian returned with the motley crew, so the morning adventure began.

As we started to get ready to launch, we were joined by a large black dog (apologies, dog lovers, no idea on Breed) which proceeded to go around the boats and jump in the boats before being taken away by its owner.

We were already nearly an hour later than we wanted to be on the water, so we were encouraged to launch in the wind and with the waves lapping back onto shore, filling any boat which was side on and had no spray deck on, as the waves lapped the deck of the boats.  Once launched, we had to paddle upwind and tide to stay at the launch point awaiting everyone to launch.  Once everyone was in their boats, we headed off, up the bank, in the wind (and stronger wind) and waves (created by the sand banks beneath the surface as well as the wind and tide) – small to about 3ft.  

We soon settled into our wind paddle, passing the scenery at a good pace. Apart from the odd gust which wanted to relieve me of my paddle.  When we arrived at Plas Newydd House and Gardens, which was looking very quiet, we were offered a break.  We passed on the break, all aware of the tide changing, and we were about halfway. Not long after, the decision was made to cross the strait to the opposite bank to get some shelter from the force 6 wind. This meant we would have to cross back later.  #

We hadn’t paddled for long before we noticed the tide had already changed – a little earlier than expected.  As we arrived at Pont Britannia, there was quite a flow between the stanchions, so keeping close in to move up towards the Suspension Bridge, and not head back down to Caernarfon, was the only option.  The excitement and challenge were added to as a Rib also passed through the bridge at the same time, creating a wake as well as the flow in the river.  It was certainly a workout.

We continued to edge up the Straits using the Eddies as much as we could.  As we neared the Suspension Bridge, it was time to cross over – a ferry glide across the current and heading to St Tysillio’s Church on Church Island.  As we were about to cross, we noticed a couple of Ribs on the other side, a few kayaks and a group of swimmers heading downstream. So, a few potential obstacles for our crossing. Across we went – another workout – who needs the gym!!!

We worked our way up to the suspension bridge, having avoided the swimmers, to find two Fire and Rescue ribs practising heading through the flow at the stanchions.  Even the Ribs with powerful engines were struggling against the flow – this didn’t stop Keith trying, though. We all disembarked at the foot of the bridge for the portage to start to move the boats to the other side of the Bridge. – up the steps, over the wall, down the road and onto the grass. I don’t remember signing up for this!!  Finally, we headed the final few meters to the slipway at Menai Bridge – We had all made it to the end.  Certainly, a paddle to remember with strong wind and gusts as well as the tides, showing how important timing is for each paddle.

Finally, boats and cars were all moved, and Brian was taken to reclaim his van before we said goodbye to Olwyn, who decided to head straight home, while the remaining eight intrepid paddlers headed for some lunch and a coffee at Bangor services and a well-deserved rest before heading home.