Wales- Menai Straight, Anglesey, 10th August 2010
Trip Start
May 14, 2010
1
31
42
Trip End
Ongoing
Menai Bridge, Wales, United Kingdom
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Anglesey is an island separated from north Wales by a tempestuous stretch of water called the Menai Straight, and for Holyhead at the south west corner of the island to become Britain's main route by ferry to Ireland, a crossing was needed over the straight. There are actually two bridges- the earlier was the first iron suspension bridge ever built- by Thomas Telford in 1826 as part of his north Wales to Holyhead road, and a tubular steel rail bridge built later by George Stephenson in 1850, which had road lanes added to it more recently.
Both bridges were designed high enough for large sailing ships to pass underneath, which some did despite the raging tide and rocks. Lord Nelson said "whoever could navigate a sailing ship through the straights could sail any sea in the world" His statue is on the bank.
It's a very interesting stretch of water, with several islands (some with houses and one with a church) and some lovely waterfront homes.
The first four photos are of the suspension bridge, and you can see the amazing force of water flowing through at half tide. The fifth photo is of the newer Britannia bridge, and the next three are taken of the straight, with the last photo showing how far the tide goes out at the north end of the straight.
Enough of that. So, what’s the weather like in North Wales in summer? – this year, about the same as Auckland in mid winter. Rain has not been too bad, but it has been blowing a westerly gale with mostly cloudy skies since we arrived on 8th August.
Next I will write about our favourite town on the island- Beaumaris.
Richard
