Week 8. 14th to 20th July 2025 Edward’s Castles
Back in the 13th Century King Edward I got a bit peeved with the behaviour of the Welsh so decided he would build a “Ring of Iron” to attempt to control the region. This week our passage around the Welsh coast has taken us to three of his 4 famous castles: Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Conwy. But first we had to sail from Porth Dinllaen across the bay and across the Caernarfon Bar into the entrance to the Menai Strait. We were pleased to have Matthew Jones onboard as our “pilot” to guide the way in.
Victoria Dock in Caernarfon is a great success story of re-purposing a commercial dock into a well equipped yacht marina. It is a wonderful location, right next the old city wall. It also provided very welcome shelter from the storm as a Force 8 blew up the Menai Straight the day after we arrived.
After a great visit to Caernarfon we said a sad farewell to Hamish as he set off on his travels overland back to Norway.
Then it was time for the next adventure – pilotage up the Menai Strait and through the “Swellies” – once again it was good to have Matthew onboard as Pilot, and we managed to see his boat “Mallard” moored safely at Port Dinorwic. Safely through and past Beaumaris Castle.
A peaceful night at anchor in Dulas Bay on the NE Coast of Anglesey before sailing across Conwy Bay and in through the shifting sands to Conwy River and a sigh of relief arriving safely at the Marina! We have been blessed with great facilities here to look after ourselves and Sea Fever. Including the start of the Conwy Classical Music Festival which is a real treat. Now halfway through our first “100 Day Summer” the picture from the RNSA Fleet Tracker gives a glimpse of the coast we have prayed our way along:
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