With the UK set to break weather records for the highest temperatures seen in around 40 years, we set off for the Menai Straights and Indefatigable for what promised to be an exciting, sunny and unseasonably hot weekend. As we crossed the Britannia Bridge into Anglesey, the sun disappeared leaving us surrounded by an overcast sky which kept the weather to a far more appropriate and usual British climate until we left Anglesey, back across the Bridge, on Sunday. Thankfully, this did little to dampen the mood of the group and we were soon stationed in the accommodation ready to find some scran in anticipation of a busy couple of days. A short walk soon located suitable sustenance and a few hours later we were all tucked up, well sated.
The following day we split into two groups with one group kayaking and another set to sail. With the clouds still hiding the sun and little breeze to talk of the kayak group, not surprisingly, was the larger of the groups. Chief Rosario provides an account of the morning kayaking:
“After an earlier childhood mis-hap with a Canoe (same thing surely) I was all set for doing some sailing in the Menai Straights and staying far away from the kayaks. A distinct lack of wind and a bit of gentle ribbing by my oppo, however, forced me to take the decision to take the plunge, not literally I hoped.
I’m glad I did. The instructor was very good, talked us through exactly what we were going to do and because he was so confident it rubbed off. I found myself often seemingly last paddling down the straits but in retrospect it was because I was enjoying myself and taking the time to enjoy the serenity of the moment. I may not ever decide to go white water or sea Kayaking but I won’t be so reticent next time about spending some quality time out on the water.“From a group perspective the gentle ribbing about being the slowcoach was offset by the ability to kayak across the straits talking in a more relaxed atmosphere than you would often have in Unit between the different ranks. The funniest moment that showed this was an unsuccessful attempt by the most junior sailor to pick up a jellyfish to put on my Kayak that ended up with him falling into the water….Karma.
“When you are dealing with each other most often in a superior / subordinate atmosphere, it is these small opportunities that are specific to Unit adventurous training that become the basis of a more complete and open future working environment. The Team works as we say.”
Those who did not kayak were able to take out some small dinghies and a catamaran for some very challenging and difficult low-wind sailing. There was a wide range of experience in the boats with one young AB who had never sailed before to a very experienced PO who had competed in the RNR sailing championships on numerous occasions, often bringing back silverware. It is fair to say that the conditions proved a real challenge for all. Soon enough we found ourselves down-wind – although we couldn’t be certain given the ever-changing conditions on the Straits – struggling to work back up to the sailing centre. The instructor was able to provide guidance to the four boats stretched across the water from his rib, but the narrow windows of wind meant we had to quickly develop the feel of the dinghy and the sail for ourselves whilst also keeping an eye on the ever changing currents and the wash of some exceptionally fast tourist speed boats; it was a real test of our patience and our skill. Whilst it must be acknowledged that each and every one of us, ultimately, had to be towed back, we had all enjoyed the challenge and said afterwards that it was difficult to be patient and sail with a delicate hand, when the child inside was screaming to go faster and getting frustrated at the lack of movement.
In the afternoon we set out to the climbing and bouldering centre with half the group very much novices, never before having climbed anything more than a set of stairs and the other half having climbed before but conscious they weighed a little more than when they last had chalk on their hands. Our instructor, however, was excellent and soon had everyone climbing and belaying with confidence; a necessary thing to have in your oppo as they are what stands between you abseiling down the wall with a level of elegance (albeit perhaps not something many of us have ever achieved when climbing or otherwise) and landing on the floor 7 metres down, like a sack of spuds, in a snotty mess!
It was a fantastic afternoon with us climbing together, bouldering and putting our trust in a device to automatically belay us or catch us if we slipped. A more nerve wracking thing to my mind, than trusting my 10 stone oppo, freshly educated in the use of a stitch plate, to control my considerably-more stone in descending. By the end of it our forearms ached but we had big smiles on our faces and a considerably greater degree of trust in the people in our group.
With the group all cleaned up and becoming increasingly hungry, we set off back to the sailing centre where POs Weaver and Campbell were cooking up a sumptuous and substantial feast. It was a strong start by all, with diners enjoying delicious sausages, burgers, mushrooms, steaks along with salad, buns and other snacks. But soon it was clear the chefs had set out to impress, which they had, but our eyes were much larger than our stomachs, with all that food leaving us sat back round the tables finding it uncomfortable to move much at all. (Save for CPO ‘Jack’ Russell, when, with the sounds of 80s punk rock bands filling the room, got to his feet and couldn’t help but break out his old-school moves!)
The following day, with the cabins all squared away, we set off back to the mainland to walk up and around Aber falls and along the North Wales Path. Now back on the mainland, the clouds lifted and the sun shone as we made our way up the path to the falls. It was a gentle steady climb to the falls which were quie a sight and having soaked up the atmosphere and with the odd wet foot from clambering across the fall’s pools, we set off on the second leg up to the brow of the hill that lay between the falls and the coast. A spectacular view awaited us and with the sun shining and the sea glimmering, we continued on our way, now downhill, back towards the transport. After a good walk on open, rolling farm land, the path took a sharp right, narrowed and increased significantly in gradient. Jack, still with energy in his legs and having just come back from the Blue Mountains 100km Trail run in Australia, set off apace with one of the group trying valiantly to keep up. By the time everyone had reached the road to the car park, it was clear the final part of the descent had taken its toll on everyone’s legs, but thankfully all were still smiling.
Overall, it was a fantastic weekend that really built on people’s levels of teamwork, patience, trust, strength and kinship. We can’t wait to do it again next year!