Date walked: 10th April 2015

Distance: About 5 miles

Map used: OS Explorer 263: Anglesey East

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It felt like a long time since I had finished my last section of the Path at Menai Bridge. And it had been – over 7 months. So I was quite excited to be giving myself the best part of a week  to complete my perambulation of  Anglesey’s Coast Path.  The very nice people at Linksair had kindly given me the return flight to Anglesey from Cardiff; a fabulous service which takes less than an hour, saving a very long drive.

Cockpit of Linksair flight from Cardiff to Anglesey, photographed by Charles Hawes

I find this “open curtain” policy rather reassuring

It was a bit cloudy, so I missed out on the best bit of flying – peering down at the landscape. On the other hand I was being met at the airport by my cousin Sally who lives in Benllech and had very generously offered to take me down to Menai Bridge, drop my bag at my hotel in Beaumaris and to put me up the next night.  Sally and I may never have met, or if we had it was so many years ago that neither of us could remember the occasion.

We got off to a great start as she tore into me for being the last to emerge from the tarmac. She was chatty, forthright and fun and I immediately felt reassured that I would enjoy her company.

I asked that she leave me on the mainland side of the bridge; someone quite reasonably having suggested that when doing the Wales Coast Path it seems right to walk at least once over one of the bridges that crosses the Menai Strait.

Telford’s suspension bridge is as impressive close to as it looks from a distance and I enjoyed the crossing, happy in the knowledge that I only had a few miles to go before I was due a beer.

Menai suspension bridge, photographed by Charles Hawes

I have been to Menai Bridge several times when I had come up to photograph and stay at nearby Plas Cadnant, so I was more familiar with its shops that any place that I had passed through in the previous 700 or so miles of walking the coast.  The path just takes the busy A545 at first but over to the right were pleasant views over the strait to  the little islands of Yns Faelog and Yns Gaint.

Yns Felog and Yns Gaint, photographed from the Wales Coast path by Charles Hawes

I think I’ve got my islands right.

The entrance to Plas Cadnant is just off this road.  Stephen Anderton and I  included the garden in our book Discovering Welsh Gardens and its affable owner, Anthony, has been generous in allowing Anne and I to stay in one of his several delightful self-catering lets, converted from the buildings of the estate.

Sign for Plas Cadnant gardens, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, photographed from The Wales Coast Path by Charles Hawes

Not very well hidden

 I have photographed the garden several times, but sadly had no time to pop in, so here’s a pic I took on a previous April visit.

Plas Cadnant Gardens, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, photographed by Charles Hawes

This is the kind of picture you get by getting up early in the morning

Thankfully, the Coast Path route leaves the main road shortly after it crosses a bridge over the Afon Cadnant….

The Afon Cadnant, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, photographed from The Wales Coast path by Charles Hawes

…..taking a minor road just to the north but parallel to it, passing though the unremarkable village of Llandegfan. It has a shop.  The additional elevation does improve the views no end, though, and I had a fine one to the Garth Pier  at Bangor (see my walk of 26th June 2014), the perspective making it look as if it might almost reach the Anglesey shore.

In fact it reaches less than half way across the Strait

After a couple of miles on this lane the road heads north ….

The Wales Coast Path near Llandegfan, anglesey, photographed from The Wales Coast Path by Charles Hawes

….but the Coast Path keeps to an easterly direction, passing over a little wooden bridge and through a bit of rough ground that was covered in large clumps of beautifully flowering gorse.

Gorse on the wales Coast Path near Beaumaris, Anglesey, photographed from The Wales Coast Path by Charles Hawes

Gorse is a real spirit lifter

Re-joining a small lane, over to the left was the Baron Hill Golf Club. Golfers always make me pause as I admire at their ability to whack their little balls up into the air and far ahead of them whilst when I try the same I usually move it twenty or thirty yards along the ground and then usually in the wrong direction.

The Baron Hill Golf Club, Anglesey, photographed from The wales Coast Path by Charles Hawes

The other thing I like is that those like me often hit their balls out of the course, providing pickings for the keenly eyed.

Out of bounds gold ball, photographed from the wales Coast Path near Beumaris, Anglesey, by Charles Hawes

before you complain about my stealing, think how confusing it would be for the golfers if I had thrown it back onto the course

After the golf course the Coast Path follows the steep hill into Beaumaris, providing an exhilarating whizz for cyclists and a fast pace for walkers.

Menai bridge to beaumaris-15

Near the bottom of the hill, I liked the striped roof of the cemetery’s chapel…Menai bridge to beaumaris-16

and paused at a newly decorated grave.

Menai bridge to beaumaris-17

Beaumaris (it’s name means beautiful marshes) is by far the most attractive town on the island and this is reflected in the wide range of shops and hotels lining its main street. I was staying at the Castle Guest House, which was at the end of the street near the castle. The bar was packed when I arrived around 6pm and my bag waiting in their quieter guests sitting room/reception. After unpacking I had a quick wander around the town and settled on the bistro upstairs at the Cafe Neptune where a couple of Peronis satisfied my thirst and where I had the best burger I had had in years. I think I chose it as I remember Anne and I eating there on one of our stays with Anthony and I liked the feeling of connection.

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