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Anglesey

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1. Menai Strait (18k)

• Gallows point, Beaumaris to Mermaid/Foel



• Generally easy paddling, but do not expect too much protection from the weather



• Wind against tide conditions can be rough



• Worth taking care over timing of passage through The Swellies (High Water Liverpool -2 hrs)



• Depart high water Dover - 3hrs (-3.5 To be 'early' at the first bridge)

1) Launching at Gallows Point	2) Weather not all that promising
3) Easy paddling near the Anglesey shore	4) Making good progress with the tide
5) Some very heavy rain during which we sang happy birthday to Rich	6) Menai Bridge coming into view
7) Approaching the suspension bridge. If you have timed it right you can pick any arch and keep well away from the traffic	8) Paddling down the 'middle' of the strait after a visit to Church Island
9) Through the new bridge, and keep right to visit Nelson	10) Weather not really on our side
11) Caernarfon in view at the end of the trip	12) 18k was far enough for Emma, but she is still smiling

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2. Beaumaris to Moelfre (25k)

• The North East end of the strait can be a bit wild from Beaumaris onwards



• With wind blowing South Westerly F4 we found the paddling quite technical



• No pictures of that section as we were too scared to let go of the paddle



• Leave at about high water Dover to take some tide all the way to Moelfre



• Stop at Benllech for chips

1) Launching at Gallows Point	2) Penmon lighthouse (No Landward Passage ...)
3) Breakfast on the shingle beach at Penmon	4) Strange quarried inlet, then poor visibility across Red Wharf Bay
5) Self belayed climber sieging a route	6) Moelfre is over there somewhere
7) Better visibility	8) Not far now
9) Ynys Moelfre, and the end of our trip (25k)

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3. Moelfre to Cemlyn (29k)

• Easy (seal) launch at Moelfre



• Leave at about high water Dover minus one as we were short of time on the North Coast



• Ynys Dulas is well worth a visit



• But so was Banana Bay



• All the fun starts at Point Lynas (overfalls, races, etc)

1) Launching at Moelfre	2) Ynys Dulas (Spike Island) with lots of seals
3) Round Point Lynas (strong tidal flow) to the calm of Porth Eilian	4) Along the North coast to East Mouse and the delights of Amlwch
5) The baroque architecture of the old Octel plant	6) Bull Bay (Porth Llechog)
7) Across Cemaes bay and around Wylfa Head	8) To Cemlyn (29k)

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4. Mermaid to Rhosneigr (26k)

• Not ideal tides but not so important for this trip



• Left Mermaid/Foel at high water Dover minus 2 hours



• Easy paddling along the strait, past Abermenai point and along Newborough beach



• Accompanied by dolphins as we crossed the Malltraeth estuary



• Extreme culture shock when we arrived at the noise and bustle of Rhosneigr

1) Emma checking all the kit	2) Breakfast stop on Llanddwyn
3) Crossing the Malltraeth estuary	4) We are joined by a group of dolphins
5) Lunch at St Cwyfan's church bay	6) The quiet before the storm of Rhosneigr (26k)