An Evening with M&D & Another Swim at Trearddur Bay
Thu 26th June – Trearddur Bay. Sea 17° / Air 17º / Wind SW / SS, chop over swell
M&D were the victims of a horrible scam the other day and have been left shaken and upset. Thankfully the criminals got foiled by an astute bank, so no money got stolen, but my folks distress remains and they now have to wait before they can start any form of purchases again. Their car was also in for repair today so I asked them if they like a van ride with me during a trip to Trearddur Bay. They were delighted to get out of the house and have my company.
Parked up alongside the beach at Trearddur and saw that the sea was even choppier than two days ago, exaggerated by the lower tide rising up and over sand banks in the bay. There was a fresh SW breeze ripping onshore, creating white horses out of waves. Further out, a much bigger swell was crashing against the cliffs in plumes of spray. The sky and sea looked grey and grim, but having missed swimming yesterday due to an intense climbing session instead, I was itching to get back in. Talking of itching, I saw three large Compass during my cloudy swim today!
The beach was quiet, except for dozens of dog walkers consciously ignoring the signposted No Dog Zone, and letting their pooches mess the beach, before kicking sand and seaweed over their dogs’ mess which magically makes turds disappear. My folks were quite shocked by the blatant disregard of the rules.
I couldn’t imagine the sea would be as fortuitously jelly free as last time so I decided once again to wear my shortie just in case. Even a shortie does off the advantage of a modicum of warmth whilst walking against a cold wind to the sea. I swam out to buoy one, then further out along the coast, head into the waves the whole way, imagining it as useful practice, before swimming to the far side of the cove and back. I was being rolled by the waves far more than the other night but thankfully there was no rip despite the powerful wind and pushing waves.
I found the sea very warm again and measured it as 17° which really makes for a comfortable swim, especially with some neoprene help! That said, I’d promised my folks a drive-thru Maccy D meal in Holyhead so I didn’t want to keep them waiting :-)
After getting dried and sitting in the van with them, we saw the Trearddur Bay Lifeboat get launched and you should have seen it bouncing over the waves at great speed (& height!) I wish I’d still been in the sea to get some closer photos!
Maccy D is an extremely rare experience for them so I was giving them training for the future. :-) Thankfully they quite enjoyed the Big Macs & chips so it was a hit. We went to Newry Beach to sit and look at the boats in the harbour, as we all sat in the van munching burgers! It was a strange turn of roles, taking the parents for a Maccy D rather than the other way round, not that they ever did take us as my Mum is such a ‘healthy recipe lady’ when cooking!
So a very bad 24 hours for my folks at least had some uplifting moments of happiness today, and I’m delighted to be part of that.indeed to be back in the water, and I started swimming across increasing swell towards and past the other swim buoys to the far rocky islet. I floated about, soaking up the amazing light, views and incoming waves, and I felt extremely alive.
Glyn is a full time professional photographer and gallery owner. To find out more please check out his new website www.glynsphotoart.com HERE and to see his latest images, use this link HERE
