Anglesey Coastal Path Part 1


 

At SouthStacks lighthouseWe do like to be beside the sea 

 

ANGLESEY COASTAL PATH - PART 1

Day 1. Saturday 19th May, 15.2 miles, 2,213 feet climbed.

BULL BAY to CHURCH BAY

We stayed at the Bull Bay Hotel with minibuses booked for transport from Eiffion coaches LLangefni. 16 mostly East Lancs walkers, a couple of ramblers & some Yorkshire man who now lives in Lancs, set off on a cold windy Saturday morning. We followed a cliff top path (reminder of Newquay!!) to the stunning bay of Porth Wen & the old brickworks. Numerous photo shoots later for Strider (Norman on them all followed closely by Ken) and now behind schedule we carried on up the steps.

Quick lunch stop at Caemaes bay then onto Cemlyn bay nature reserve. Seals were spotted, following us. Abundant birds at Cemyln. We then had to get a move on to Church bay (the café shut at 5pm). We meandered through the Wylfa Power station now glowing. We found an abandoned rucksack along the way (mention that later). Café open!!

 

Day 2. Sunday 20th May. 20 miles, 2,081 feet climbed.

CHURCH BAY to SOUTHSTACKS LIGHTHOUSE

A glorious sunny day. Went through a beautiful carved kissing gate.  Called at my caravan site at Penhryn along the way. Then followed an inland estuary towards Penhroscountry park. The troops were restless so had to stop before planned schedule for lunch. My first yellow card was given as my mileage estimations were a bit out, (Ken had an accurate account!!) & we still had the little Holyhead mountain to go over. Onwards & upwards through the train station & ferry port. Again the leader was quizzed - IS THIS THE RIGHT WAY?? Now I knew the café would be closed at the end. But the fantastic views of Southstacks lighthouse made up for it, & the café was soon forgotton after a few beers & fantastic evening meal. Well done to Viv who had previously fallen & hurt her knee. Now Chris Hopkins had to morph into Kim for the evening meal. Kim went home tonight & he was in the four poster bed!

 

Day 3. Monday 21st May, 14.6 miles, 1,500 feet climbed.

SOUTHSTACKS to FOUR MILE BRIDGE

15 walkers today. We visited Ellins Tower which is the RSPB lookout. Various Puffins were seen & Guillemots; then after a slight detour through a farmers garden we got onto the right path. Another yellow card for me. We had a decent lunch stop at Treardurr Bay including ice creams for some. We then came inland again for a while, then on the cliffs we saw a helicopter doing winch practices. Again behind schedule with all the excitement, Ken was getting restless. We came inland again to follow an estuary to Four Mile Bridge, was there a café? - NO. Big trouble for me.

 

Day 4. Tuesday 22nd May, 14 miles, 802 feet

FOUR MILE BRIDGE to ABERFRAWW

16 walkers today, not put off by the previous day. Hotter still. RAF Valley was soon upon us with jets & helicopters close overhead. Ian got a yellow card & demoted from No.3 for leading the troops into airfield restricted zones!! Did we see Prince William at a distance? After all the excitement we had a lovely beach walk 1.5 miles to Rhoseineger, & a big treat of a café lunch (open). Some of us paddled the river outlet & others crossed the new bridge at Rhoseineger once they found it (nearly a red card for me)!! After lunch we saw the Neolithic burial chamber.

Onto the headland. Then over to see a quaint 7th century church on an island, which you can only get to at low tide on PorthCwyfan. The tide was out, the mood was good; nearly at the finish now. Oops we ended up on a firing range, big trouble for me again. I kept my head in the map, backtracked, then into Aberfraww which was the finish & yes a sprint finish to the café for cream teas. Thanks for your help Viv.

 

Great trip, thanks to No 2,3,4,5 & everyone for being understanding on the mileage, hope to be more accurate in September. See you there.

 

Kath Page.

 

What a fabulous settingBull Bay hotel