The Magic Weekend in Anglesey – Part Two: Waves, Caves, and Campfire Stories by Elena Bejenaru
After a night where the rain tapped steadily on my tent like a metronome, thunder rolled over the hills like grumpy giants, and lightning lit up the sky (and frankly, felt like it had snuck into the tent with me), the morning greeted us with the scent of salt and the promise of adventure.
We launched our kayaks under the calm and confident guidance of John Allerton. Our crew – me, Jackie, Dom, Bob, Sophie, and Kyeron – had become a tightly knit team. Sophie had been with us from the start, always steady and smiling, as if kayaking was her second language.
We glided across the wild waves near Trearddur Bay, a place that reminded me of Frigiliana in Spain – just without the sizzling sun and the cascade of flowers on balconies. Here, the beauty is more raw, more mysterious – cliffs and rocks sculpted by time, telling silent stories to those who know how to listen.
Then came a moment of pure magic: we paddled into a hidden cave, where the ocean’s voice was captured and thrown back at us in powerful echoes. It was like a natural concert hall for the sea’s symphony – deep, resonant, almost like a hard rock bass vibrating off the stone walls.
After that enchanted detour paddling on the big waves, feeling like a giant roller coaster, we returned to the cars, loaded up our gear, and headed to our next destination: Four Mile Bridge. There, we paddled through a tunnel beneath the bridge where the water surged with a surprising force – within seconds, it launched us forward like a water-powered slide.
We then glided over a sea-fed lagoon, shaped by the powerful tides – the push and pull of the ocean like the breath of something ancient and wild. Along the way, we admired the scenery and shared stories. I had the chance to talk with John and Kyeron about our lives, the tough moments we’ve faced, and how those moments shaped us into who we are today.
Bob and Dom impressed me deeply – their technique was smooth and effortless. Jackie and Sophie were like kids in a playground, laughing as they danced with the waves. And Kyeron, the youngest among us, played joyfully on the water – it was clear he’s been kayaking since his childhood.
Back at the campsite, after a deliciously hot shower that melted the salt from my skin and the tiredness from my muscles, I sat with Jackie and we talked about the day and our early days working together at Abbey – the place where we met, building camouflage panels for tanks. Strange beginnings that led to beautiful friendships.
ater, we headed to a cozy pub for dinner – a juicy veggie burger and crispy fries were the perfect end to a day on the waves. There, I had the privilege of a deep and wide-ranging conversation with Bob, who at 81, is a living library and a free spirit. I asked him every question came to my mind about kayaking, literature, psychology, mental reprogramming, war, technology, and AI.
He shared book recommendations, thoughts, and even told me about a public library in Liverpool where you can become a member for free and access everything – a total dream for anyone with a curious mind, he answered to all my questions and I made him special for his knowledge and commitment to the conversation.
After so many stories and so much laughter, I curled up in my sleeping bag and fell asleep like a child after their grandpa reads them a bedtime story.
Good night
No more thunderstorms
Sweet dreams