Cruise to Borth Wen

Mark Rosenthal

Borth Wen (The brickworks) I forgot to start the recording until we were out in the bay, again! With the morning light ssw winds forecast to increase by 11:30 the crew, Tess, Richie Sean and myself prepared the boat to leave soon after 11:00. With the 135% jib, replacing the carbon jib under repair, we set sail from the mooring with the full main and unfurled the jib but noted that the roller reefing line joint was sticking in the fairleads. Flair IV was well balanced on the broad reach as we followed Summer Wine out of the New Harbour area. Following our check with Holyhead Port Control for any commercial traffic we turned towards Bolivar on more or less a dead run; flying the jib goosewinged for most of the run up to Carmel Head. Tess did a great job taking over from me on the helm and we were spoon on a reach along the north coast of Ynys Mȏn (Anglesey) at around 10 - 11kt. The 5m tidal range on today’s tide helped power us along with the sails pulling beautifully; passing Harry Furlong mark and a midpoint between Middle Mouse and the coast to the east of Wylfa. As we approached Borth Wen and turned into the bay we could see a motor yacht at anchor, a number of jetskis racing around and Live Wire also from Holyhead Sailing Club heading in to anchor up. The winds, now 18kt gusting 20-22, made lining up to anchor quite tricky as they descended over the high cliffs surrounding the bay. After our second and successful attempt to get a good anchor bite, we prepared the cockpit table, raised the sprayhood and set up a wonderful lunch mostly supplied by Tess. Summer Wine and Live Wire were anchored in the bay but they left well before us and now there was a thin fog filling into the bay but with the sprayhood up we were not affected too badly.