Conwy 2021

13th April 2020

We visited for the first time this year.  Fleur was fine.  Tiny amounts of mildew were found on items we hadn’t separated or brought into the open.  Like the sailing jackets, which were all brought home for a wash.

We put the sails back on, which had been serviced by Impact Marine in Carnforth.  They were a dream to deal with and we highly recommend them.  The new cushions I had made during the winter looked good too.  Over the next two days she was cleaned inside and out and the water pump seal was replaced.

It was just nice to be in a different location.

21st April 2020

Another 4 nights at the boat.  We brought back all the newly washed items from the last visit.

We had a grand day out in the van, driving all the way up the coast to Prestatyn.  Sooooo many caravan sites.  Rhyl, Abergele, Rhos on Sea and Colwyn Bay.

7th May 2020

Flying visit to deliver the new beds for the back cabin.  They were cluttering the house.

24th May to 4th June 2020

11 nights at the boat on a mini break.

We met up with Lynn and Jim of Full Circle and they made us a delicious homemade Tagine.  Such good company and great to meet up once again.

We had a great day out in the van travelling to Bangor and then circumnavigating Anglesey.  It is a very beautiful island and we had a beautiful weather for it. 

Another gift of a day at Bodnant Gardens. 

We had tried to time it, to see the Rhododendrons in full bloom. 

Not being gardeners we did not know that Bodnant is famous for its Laburnum Walk.  No, I didn’t know either and we nearly missed it.  But is was truly beautiful and worth seeking it out. 

The gardens are amazing and it is worth walking the full length to see it all.  The cafe service is famously slow, you have been warned.

On Sunday the 30th we went for our first ‘Just for pleasure’ sail in many years.  Out towards Puffin Island to give Fleur a shake down, and make sure everything was working.  It seemed strange to return to port at the end of the day.  We usually end up somewhere else.

And then another good day out in Llandudno before returning home.

You may now be thinking, this is not a sailing blog.  But I hope it demonstrates how frustrating the year has been.  We have been biding our time waiting for news on when we can visit Ireland.  We were happy to sail to Ireland, but not allowed. 

11th June 2020

We returned to the boat by train, determined this time that if we couldn’t go to Ireland we would start our summer trip.

Boris announced on the 14th that Ireland was still not on the green list, so we decided to set off.

Unfortunately after all this time, the weather had other ideas.  We finally left for Conwy on the 17th June.  Huzzah!