Gallows Point Adventure

What an incredible day this was. A canoe trip from Gallows point in Beaumaris, through the Swellies, under both the Menai Bridge, and the Brittania Bridge, and then onwards via the Menai Strait to Plas Newydd dock.

The day started at Plas Newydd. The team at SEAS Sailability had organised an ‘Adventure Day’, and they had a mini-bus, with a trailer full of kayaks, ready to transport the participants to the starting point. We joined them, but we took the opportunity to try out our new kit, which consisted of our own canoe (which we were using with kayak paddles because we both had trouble with core movement), our new PFDs, and helmets we’d only just bought from Summit to Sea in Holyhead. We arrived loaded on our own car.

We then set off, and all coalesced at the boatyard, at Gallow’s Point in Beaumaris, and unloaded our boats. The yard were kind enough to allow me to wheel round in my wheelchair, under and past all the boats and tractors moving things around, and I managed to (with help from SEAS), get into our canoe on the slipway.

Our boat is something that was inexpensive really, and it’s quite often not rated by those who love open Canadian canoes, but we find it really great. It’s a Coleman Ram-X13 (that we call Serenity), which is an aluminium framed boat, built with some really bendy plastic (Ram-X), that tends to not bend out of shape too much. It’s not even really a that big of a boat at 13ft. It’s often referred to as a tank.

Some single canoes, some rafted up canoes, and some kayaks, all waited for everyone to be ready, and then we were off. It wasn’t a speed run, we simply all paddled on, together. The water out there, which is at the mouth of the Menai Strait, was very rough. Powerful motorboats were creating wake, and there was a bit of wind, but we just took it all in our stride.

The wildlife was pretty as always. Hundreds of Oystercatchers would wait until we were close, and then all fly off at once over our heads. Herons everywhere, and of course, Jelly Fish.

Our paddling took us past Garth Pier, around Ynys Castell, and then a quick look slightly up the Afon Cadnant, and under the Cadnant/Beaumaris Rd (A545). We then pulled up for a break in the Swellies, by the Belgian Promenade. We all had snacks, caught our collective breaths, and for those that could, they stretched their legs.

The next part took us through the Swellies, which was a lot of fun with the currents around the rocks. Cerys and I managed to see two grey seals on Ynys Welltog, and then we carried on and joined up with the rest of the group, as we passed Ynys Gorad Goch, and then headed under the Brittania Bridge. That’s a stunning view, by the way!

The rest of the trip was getting from the Brittania, over to Plas Newydd. It was more of a slog now the fun bits were over, and so we got stuck in. Through a lot of this trip, I have needed to have rests. Lots of them. Luckily, Cerys was able to paddle while I rested, and then vice versa, although I think I definitely took more rests than she did. Much more. Being sat down is great for needing to catch your breath while exercising, which is why paddling is so good for trying to build up my strength and stamina.

The only obstacles now really, were jet skis tearing up and down the Strait, and creating substantial wake, as we were trying to turn and angle ourselves to hit the dock. This meant we had to cross their wake at right angles, which worked really well. We were the first back, (with another canoe).

The aftermath of this adventure, was a very big smile on my face, but I am going to be in a seated position resting for weeks. It’s likely I’ll be in bed. Cerys was far better prepared, and will recover much faster, although both of our arms are shockingly painful.

All in all, it took us 2 hours and 58 minutes, to do 11.91km, with a speed of 4.0km/h. An epic guided adventure, with lovely people, loads of wildlife, peace, and sense of achievement.

Onwards.