20th July 2013

After 4 years of monsoon, we had the unusual experience of several weeks of sunny warm weather. And the forecast it was holding for the weekend. With work only stopping Friday late, we decided to leave for Conwy early Saturday morning.

She who cannot see over the sprayhood

So we set off at 10:15 with the plan to sail to follow the LALA race to Beaumaris and come back early next day for the Conwy river festival. However, 1 hour into the trip, the captain decided not to feel well we returned to Conwy. The new captain moored herself at 12:10.

Medieval bow and arrow shooting in Conwy

After a bit of a chill-out we had lunch in Conwy and visited the medieval demonstrations on the quays. Timo and Meryl joined in on a bit of bow and arrow shooting. Timo did really well with his 5 our of 6 arrows on target, outclassing the bearded guy in his old fashioned clothes. Later the skipper and Meryl got a lift to Tesco's to get essential shopping for a BBQ that evening.

BBQ on a pirate ship

Sunday, 21st July

The next morning we were up early, forced by another early high tide. The weather forecast at 07:50 stated a F3,4 from E to NE with occasional F5, slight, fair and good. At 09:35 the engine was started and at 09:40 we cast off to watch the race in Conwy Bay. At 10:05 the sails were up and motor switched off. There was actually an F5 in the Bay and we put 1 reef in the main and rolled the genoa in. Hazel Anne sailed beautifully.

Statue of liberty? You've got to be joking

Meryl was still asleep as much as that is possible while sailing.

Think we are going to make it

The sailing was spectacular doing 6kts over the sandbanks (this is all under the knowledge that we got about 3.5 knots out of our Westerly 22 in those conditions). This time Geke wasn't feeling well and we turned back around 11:00.

Stowing the sails

At 11:25 we were back on the pontoon after a good sail. The rest of the day was spent relaxing on the pontoon. We packed our stuff around 16:00 and drove off following the A55.

About to moor

Near Abergele, the sea looked very inviting in the warm afternoon. A vote changed the plan and we parked near the coast and had a brief swim in our underwear. It was around 19:00 before we got back home.