2016-09-03 Menai Straits Up and Down

Menai Straits

The weather forecast for North Wales was very poor, with high winds and rain for much of the day.  So Michael Hargreaves in his new boat and I decided to meet up on the Menai Straits at Moel-y-Don.

Mick in his new boat
Mick in his new boat

This allowed us to paddle up with the tide towards Menai Bridge, have lunch and come back on the tide. When we arrived it was as forecast, pouring with rain, but the winds had not picked up. So we set off from Moel-y-Don on the flood up to the Swellies. By the time we reached Menai Bridge the tide had started to turn, so we played in the eddies, before heading on up stream to the Islands north of Menai Bridge.

Mick in his new boat
Mick in his new boat

We encountered lots of sea kayak groups who were also seeking shelter and somewhere safe to paddle. Mike and I lunched under Menai Suspension Bridge, before heading back to Moel-y-Don in the rain. It was by now quite misty especially after Britannia Bridge and we commented on the lack of predicted wind.

Back at the Moel-y-Don, no sooner had we arrived it stopped raining for all of five minutes, suddenly followed by the predicted, but rather late very strong winds. Perfect for getting changed in and sorting out our kit.

Later at Anglesey Outdoors, we bumped into Roger Chandler and I expressed surprise we hadn't seen him also on the Swellies. Turns out Roger had been with a group up at Bull Bay and by the sounds of it had a super day. I guess you cannot beat local knowledge!

Mick in his new boat
Mick in his new boat

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