Tuesday 23rd August 2011:Last day! Bangor pier and here and there!

We had intended to visit Penryn Castle on the mainland then realised its closed on Tuesdays, so drove down the coast of the strait

We travelled along until we could see Penmon Priory in the distance

We then doubled back in the direction of Menai Bridge and through the trees I noticed that there was a pier at Bangor!

We resolved to visit the pier, but were surprised to find that there were no signposts giving a clue as to how to find it (but we did!)
Though not as extravagant as Llandudno Pier it is actually in better condition and there is a small charge (15 pence for pensioners) which no doubt helps the upkeep.

The pavilion at the end of the Pier is only a fraction of the size of the Llandudno pier, but it does at least boast a cafe, and half way back on the pier we found this little snack bar

We had the tastiest "Welsh Rarebits" I have ever tasted, tea and a sliced of buttered "Bara Brith" (Fruit loaf), my first ever meal on a Pier and a memorable one!
Back then to the caravan for an afternoon snooze, then up to Trarrdur for a last look

then back down to moelfre for a last look

And finally a brief look at Traeth Bychan just below our campsite

A great last day to a great holiday!

Monday 22nd August 2011:llynon mill and Cemlyn

I managed to convince Pat to go to see the local GP with the Wasp Bite that had swollen and troubled her for days, so that took up the morning, while we were waiting to go in we drove down to Benlech Beach

And after we eventually got out of the surgery we had a late fish and chips lunch, very tasty! then headed across the island in bright sunshine to Lynon Mill, the last of the Anglesey
windmills that has been restored to full operation

These mills were quite short in height, but attractive nevertheless.

the chap who was guiding us round was disappointed that there wasn't any wind, so he couldn't show us the mill actually in operation, but never mind, here is a panorama of the interior

Behind the mill is a reconstruction of two 3,000 year old roundhouses in a stockade.

This is a panoramic of the two

Note the massive overhang of the thatched roof to protect the "Wattle and Daub" mud wall from being washed away in heavy rain.
There are no chimneys, the smoke from a small internal fire finds its way through the thick thatch, apparently this reduces the draught to the fire and prevents it getting out of control and burning the house down!
Inside the house was very spacious, and we were told they are warm in winter too!
Here is a panorama of the interior

And this is a view of the complicated roof!

Outside the stockade there were carved logs

And a mini Labyrinth constructed by children of the local school

Then we headed back to camp for tea.
Afterwards we drove to the other en of Cemllyn Bay where the lagoon starts

This is the stepped beach of shingle

We didn't stay all that long as upwards of twenty cars and motorhomes with Kayaks on roof racks suddenly filled the car park!
Another great day.

Sunday 21st August 2011:Llandudno again and Cemaes Bay

A nice bright start so across to the mainland and down to good old Llandudno for a walk on the front and the pier of course!
This is a view of the miles and miles of hotels along the Esplanade

It was a little early but people were already sitting out taking the sun

local supporters were having a mini "Lifeboat Day" rather low key after the Moelfre affair, but they were doing their best!

We reached the pier which was rather busy!

and Pat bought a new lace "thingy" for the coffee table from this stall

over on our right a jetty came out into the sea for pleasure boats to load passengers at low tide

then it began to rain, so we beat a hasty retreat back to the car!
When we got back to camp of course the sun came out (typical) so we had a lazy afternoon then a ride round to holyhead for tea, followed by a visit to Cemaes Bay

A very pleasant day!

Saturday 20th August 2011: Moelfre Lifeboat Day

Without a doubt this is the "big Day" in Moelfre's year. A sleepy little seaside village with a shingle beach is suddenly transformed into to an incredibly crowded place, and the bay is filled with boats of all sizes that home in from over the horizon!
Knowing how busy it would get, we drove in and parked at quarter past nine, and were glad we did. Things were just being set up as we went for a stroll down to the beach.

At this time there were only two small boats in the bay

It was a lovely sunny morning and after strolling round we went to visit the lifeboat

We were given a conducted tour round the boat

the boat was much larger than we expected and incredibly well equipped inside, it was also in immaculate condition!
This is the outside "Flying Bridge" for the Coxwain, there are similar controls inside the boat if it is too rough to use the external ones

By now it was getting close to lunchtime so off we went to the Chapel where they were selling plated sandwiches with salad and delicious cakes
Here are the volunteers doing drinks

The ladies were busily turning out a range of sandwiches which were disappearing as fast as they appeared on the table!

As we left the chapel and headed back to the clifftop we met Keith cominf along the path from the direction of the beach, we found a seat and watched the boats gathering from all directions in the bay, and these characters dressed as old time pirates with a small "Cannon" who let off very load explosions at frequent intervals making everyone jump!

Then,just three quarters of an hour before the lifeboat was due to launch, the rain started,
so we went back to the car and left Pat to crochet, while Keith and I returned through the dense crowd to see the launch and demonstration of various rescue methods
The inshore lifeboat boys were first into the water to usher the other boats away from the launching slip

Then it was time to launch the big boat, slightly obscured by Cannon Smoke!

It was busier than the M25 out there!

The crowd loved the spectacle, even the drizzling rain didn't put them off, they were packed on the hillside near the lifeboat centre

The inshore boys kicked off the rescue demos by tossing one of their crew into the sea, pretending to leave him, then dragging him in over the side!

Then it was the turn of the RAF Air Sea Rescue Helicopter
Who hauled a man out of the sea and dropped him off on the big lifeboat

The crowd cheered as the chopped swooped low overhead

When the lifeboat came in close I noticed a female crew member busily photographing the crowd

All too soon it was time for the helicopter to return to base and Keith and I made our way through the dense crowd back to the car park, I spotted the "Moelfre Queen" collecting for the lifeboat on the way

We gave Keith a lift back up to the field where he had parked, it was over a mile up the hill, which gives you some idea of the crowds that had come for the Lifeboat Day!
Despite the rain it had been very enjoyable!

Friday 19th August 2010: Penmon Priory and point Lynas

Our first call of the day was down into Molfre where Pat visited the tiny wool shop in a tin hut and miraculously managed to get pattern, crochet hook and wool to her satisfaction.
We then drove to Red Wharf bay to park on the foreshore for our morning coffee.

then over the hills and narrow lanes to the Menai strait

We had lunch in the "Triple Eight" cafe in Beaumaris then doubled back to go to the very tip of the island, puffin Island.

The lighthouse is very close to the shore

And there is a shingle beach, but we didn't see any puffins!

Retracing our steps we came to Penmon priory

The chaps on the "cherry picker" were removing weeds from the stone work, to their right the priory is still occupied as a private dwelling.
Behind us was the strangely shapes Dove Cote

After tea pat wanted to try out her new wool and patterns so I went alone to look at point Lynas

Its very scenic along the coast path