Caernarfon

We like Caernarfon; a great deal of character, and a very friendly welcome. We were met at the pontoon by Mark the Harbour master, who took our lines, and helped make fast. The marina is fairly small and shallow in places ( we took the keel up ! ), but was comfortable, and had very easy access to the walled city ( the outer wall almost borders the marina ), and a large Morrison's supermarket.

Water is retained in the marina by a flap gate similar to that at Padstow, and is opened to a pre-set schedule, a copy of which was provided.

The town itself is very attractive, with the majority being within the outer wall.

The main Keep of the Castle is impressive, and very well preserved.

We were told that the Royal Welsh Yacht Club welcomes visiting Yotties; we didn't actually visit, but the club house is located within one of the turrets in the outer wall,

Here is 'NJ' from the top of the walkway down to the pontoon, if you look behind you would be looking directly at the castle wall.

We had a couple of pleasant days in Caernarfon, including a delicious meal at 'The Black Boy' which was recomended by the harbourmaster. The time was now right to transit the Menai Straight, and the infamous 'Swellies'. It is important to get to the Swellies about half an hour before HW slack ( Liverpool HW -2:00 ), which mean't leaving Caernarfon about half an hour after the gate opened. We paid up for our stay, and headed out, bound for the anchorage off Beaumaris at the NE end of the Menai Strait.