The trip from Oldham to St.David’s Estate camp site at Red Wharf Bay Anglesey took three and a half hours. We arrived at 12.30 pm on Saturday 24th July. We unloaded, set up the tent on the large seaside camp site and had lunch.

We towed our 16’ 6” Beaufort dinghy over to the short track that dropped ten feet or so onto the sandy beach at an angle of about 30 degrees. We realised that due to the soft sand above the high water line, we would have a problem launching our 600 lb boat. A chap with a tractor came to our rescue and soon we were afloat.

The wind was about force 5 SSW. It had been our intention to make for Traeth Dulas, a landlocked estuary six miles to the north, making an entrance at high water slack, but we did not relish the prospect of beating all the way back to Red Wharf Bay against a fresh breeze and foul tide, so we put a reef in the main, bent on the small jib and set off for the cove at Moelfre, three miles away at 1.30 pm.

As soon as we left the shelter of the dunes behind Benllech sands we felt the full pressure of the wind and had a most exhilarating run up the coast. Taking care to pass on the seaward side of the large green buoy that marks the end of the sewer pipe from Benllech, we sailed in close to look at Huslan Cove. It turned out to be no more than a dent in the rocky shore. Further north Borth Wen might offer a landing in settled weather on the rock strewn pebble beach. The next mile of coast consists of steep grassy cliffs with vertical slabs of rock about fifty metres high.

When we reached Trwyn Penrhyn we could see Moelfre Cove; it did not look comfortable. I for one did not fancy being banged about on the steep pebble beach. So we turned into the bay of Traeth Bychan and reached into the beach just in front of the sailing club. It was 2.00pm and the tide was still coming in. There is a concrete ramp with gentle slope right next to the club house and a steady procession of power boats were taking to the water. We realised that we were slowly being hemmed in, so we finished our afternoon snack of beer and sandwiches, pushed off and sailed slowly through the mass of shining chrome and plastic missiles.

I took the helm and soon we were on a broad reach keeping an eye on the reef that sticks out from Trwyn Penrhyn. Just then a speedboat passed swiftly just in front of us, its bow wave hitting us with some force throwing a great deal of water over the boat. Jeff, sitting out to windward right forward, took most of it. Peter and I, tucked in behind him, got off lightly. In as loud a voice as I could muster, I advised the driver of the speedboat to take greater care in crowded waters and wished him Godspeed. I can’t remember my exact words. He shook his fist in a gesture of comradeship.

Turning out of Traeth Bychan we started beating down the coast toward Red Wharf Bay. It was hard going; I was glad we had reefed down. Sailing in the lee of lofty cliffs in a strong breeze presents problems. Close in the wind tend to become unidirectional due to turbulence; as each gap in the cliff is passed the wind gusts. Keeping away from the cliffs puts you into more disturbed water, with the odd wave breaking over the foredeck. In spite of setting the small jib I felt reverse thrust of the tiller extension in the stronger gusts. After a dozen or so tacks we arrived back at the camp site. I must say I wasn’t sorry to be standing back on the beach. Our friend with the tractor once again gave us a hand.

Sunday was again very windy so we toured the island looking for future venues. We shall certainly return to the Red Wharf Bay - Dulas Bay area. It is a beautiful stretch of coast with soaring cliffs, dunes, seaside villages, islands, rivers, etc. if only we can solve the problem of launching and recovery for a heavy dinghy. Other places for the future are Silver Bay at the southern end of Holy Island, launching facilities unknown; Rhosneigr on the west coast of the main island, launching facilities excellent off the end of a tarmac street that runs north onto hard sand; also a beautiful spot in the northern corner of Traeth Molynog, a wide drying bay in the southern part of the Menai Straits, where the River Afon Braint runs into Newborough Warren.

This is accessible only at high tide springs leaving a pool at low water that would probably keep a few dinghies afloat. It has one of the most pleasant views in the United Kingdom, looking toward Caernarfon Castle on the other side of the Menai Straits with a backdrop of the Welsh mountains.