Menai Strait
Bliss
Tue 26 Jul 2016 10:45
Bliss at anchor off Beaumaris, in The Hole
As the sun set, the reflection on a window opposite was dramatic
And then, a full moon
We took the bikes ashore and cycled to a nearby i.e. six miles away, beach for a swim, as we left Beaumaris a road sign warned us of a 25% gradient, if we didn't need a swim before that we certainly did by the time we got there. The beach was very gently shelving and the tide was out, we walked about a mile to the water and then a good way further before reaching swimming depth! The biggest jellyfish I have ever seen was gently swooshing in and out on the waves, consequently we didn't venture far out or stay very long, but the water was clear, cool and refreshing.
Next morning we were pleased to see two yachts appear from the north just as we were preparing to leave for our passage through the Swellies, this was encouraging as it was unlikely that all three of us had got our planning wrong. Both skippers were local and offered to lead us through, we had done our homework and Chris was keen to make his own judgements, particularly as one was going through earlier than we would have dared. We followed the other boat through, but used our own notes and passage plan. It was plain sailing, spectacular and felt quite intrepid, but smooth, sunny and there was plenty of water.
We arrived off Victoria Dock, Caernafon late morning, by this time it was hot, we circled around in the river trying to decide whether or not to go in, marinas can be very hot, invariably high walls block any cooling breeze, eventually we headed south, over Caernafon Bar to an anchorage 'Pilot Bay' on Llanddwyn Island. Our pilot guide describes it as a popular anchorage, but doesn't give any hint of it's beauty, little rocky coves with sandy beaches, a couple of picture postcard lighthouses, fabulous. It was so hot by this time we had to fashion some shade out of a duvet cover and towel, we dived in the water off the boat, sat on deck and relaxed. As the evening drew in, and most other visitors disappeared, we went ashore to explore, to walk round the island which is a heritage site, mythology was the home of a holy woman with a well full of magic eels!
