Members: Michelle Harvie, Mark Garrod, Al Metelko, Trish Cranston.

Guests: Des Chadderton, Rachel Summerville.

Given the recent dire weather the white cloud with sunny bits forecast sounded good enough, so Anglesey it was. Mark & I headed to Cemaes Bay on Friday night to the welcoming Harbour Hotel. Friendly bouncers, big screen rugby with England vs. Tonga kept Mark happy whilst I chatted to a slightly batty local.

We arrived at the empty windswept campsite at the same time as Trish. We could see why there was no need to book as we sat alone in the campsite drinking wine.

Saturday started with a mandatory birthday dip, for some of us anyway. On the way to the bay one of our fellow campers delighted in showing us his days catch, a sharp clawed lobster, though not, as he explained, the usual Conger eels found in the bay. Trish & I braved the cold and this potential company to swim. We were certainly in better shape than the upturned dead sheep, which appeared during our swim!

Breakfast and a bottle of Brut delivered by the campsite owner Lizzie then off to Gogarth to find Al and co. We contemplated Lighthouse arête, or rather the ab point but decided to leave it for today. We found Al on Wen slab and joined the seals to watch a procession of climbers including Rachel boldly leading Des across Dream of the White Horses. We were unfortunately caught contemplating routes again by 2 climbers who had been at Lighthouse Arête. Finally we did get on rock. Mark & Trish led 2 great routes on Holyhead Mountain; Pigeon Hole and Stairs. We headed back for B day cake and champagne, leaving Al & co to finish Concrete Chimney on Wen slab.

That night none of the local pubs could feed us, so we went off to Amlwch for a Chinese takeaway. It was a bit of a Wild West town, at 9.00pm the locals were falling through the door of the Chinese in various states of inebriation.

Sunday started with a swim (Trish & Michelle), the others all had Doctors notes or feeble excuses. We all had a great day on Castle Helen. Thanks to Al for his moral support for the abseil. Mark boldly led me up Lighthouse Arête, Al & Trish did a combination of Pel and Rap, while Rachel & Des raced up Blanco. By 5.00pm Mark & I had finished our 1 route of the day, and 4th of the year. Al & co set of for more fun on Holyhead mountain. It was a great, fun albeit low key weekend. Don't forget to put our 110th Birthday party in your diaries in September 2017.

You would not believe us if we disclosed our ages, but we are inviting the KMC to come and help us celebrate our milestone birthdays.

Final details for the meet

The campsite is in Cemaes on the north coast of Anglesey. Directions can be found by following the link: Ystad Parc Lodge

Telephone Numbers:

01407 711529

07736 519777

Directions

Cemaes is located on the most northerly point of Anglesey in North Wales.

There are a few ways you can get to Cemaes by car from the rest of Wales, but the simplest is by sticking to the main A roads, the A5/A55 and the A5025 once on the Isle of Anglesey.

If you cross the Britannia Bridge on to the island which is on the A5/A55, you can then continue until you see the signs for valley (not RAF Valley), which is just before Holyhead. Then at the Valley cross roads turn right onto the A5025, continue approx 12 miles to the roundabout in Cemaes. Turn left down Cemaes high street to the Stag pub.

Then take the road to the right of the pub and down along beach road, at the end of beach road turn left up the hill. At the top of the hill turn left between the old terrace houses on the left and the new houses on the right. Go across the cattle grid and follow the road to the white house on the hill. Just before the house fork left for the campsite and right for the cottages.

It is £8 for a two persons and a tent per night.

The Plan

Michelle + Mark will be there on Friday evening from 9.30 pm onwards. Plan to climb, swim on Saturday, maybe run / walk as well. We have drink, cake and nibbles for early evening. Retire to local pub for evening meal and drinkies.

Al will be climbing Gogarth on Saturday, anyone wishing to join him, should meet up at South Stack car park for around 10am (follow the South Stack signs in Holyhead). If you arrive later contact him on his mobile.

See you there!