Wet, Wet, Wet

And indeed it was ... Thursday was the first really wet passage we have had, and to make matters worse, most of it was in thick fog too.

On the positive side, the wind was just right for sailing so we braved the various hazards around the Lleyn Peninsula under full sail, only having to put in a few tacks to avoid charted dangers. As there was time in hand once out of Bardsey Sound, and wind had dropped, tried fishing for about an hour but again without success. But that was nothing compared with what was shortly to follow.
Entering the picturesque and much feted bay of Porth Dinllaen at about 6 p.m., we expected to see clearly identifiable visitors moorings, as shown on the chart. But no - every one we looked at was marked with a private boat name. And when I phoned the inviting-looking Ty Coch pub in the bay, the landlord confirmed that there were actually no visitors moorings at all (and that they do not serve food in the evenings - hmph). Decided therefore to try anchoring in the area marked "anchorage" on the chart. Five failed attempts and almost 90 minutes later, not fancying a repeat performance of the St. Mawes incident, took the decision to use one of the private moorings anyway, trusting to luck that (a) the owner would not return for it that night and (b) it would be strong enough to hold Follyfin.
Fortunately our luck was in, the owner did not return and since we needed to get away by 4 a.m. on Friday morning to catch the favourable tidal stream to carry us up to Holyhead, the strength of the mooring did not need to be tested for very long.
More fog as we left and no wind, but the tide was in our favour all the way up and past the 'stacks' and their infamous tide rips on Anglesey west coast. Arrived in Holyhead Harbour at 9.15. The sun came out, the sea was calm and all was good in the world. After a couple of hours catch-up siesta, walked from the marina into Holyhead where the signage is somewhat challenging.

Later that evening, Mick's brother Andrew and wife Carolyn joined us, having driven over from Macclesfield. We celebrated in style, perhaps a little too enthusiastically as we all agreed the next morning!

Today, the 2nd of June, a special birthday was to be celebrated ... mine (coincidentally Coronation Day for the present Queen, and oh yes, of course, it's her Diamond Jubilee too this year; what a happy chance)! It seemed that everyone else wanted to help us celebrate our mutual anniversaries as there were union jacks and flags flying all over the place, even on Follyfin where the bunting was rigged on the forestay and union flags under the boom.

Daughter Laurel and friend Kathy arrived at 10.30 having driven up from London. They came bearing gifts aplenty, and supplies to replenish the ship's stores. Celebrations began with home-made baklava and coffee. Then a birthday lunch on board whilst the sun shone overhead, with more bubbly.

The crowning (sic) glory was the most delicious birthday cake - clementine and chocolate - from the '158 Bakery'. Laurel is taking orders now ...

Unfortunately the weather has now taken a turn for the worse, so the plan to venture out to sea this afternoon and find an overnight anchorage on the coast of Anglesey has had to be shelved for the time being. As I type this, the wind is whistling outside, the rain is hammering on the coach roof and we are safely moored right inside Holyhead marina. Even so, in the force 7 north east wind, FF is rocking about quite a bit. Jolly glad we are not swinging on the anchor in a lonely bay tonight!
But it's been a great birthday. Hope the Queen enjoyed hers as much as I did mine.