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I have actually been out on the Straits before in a canoe;
as part of a team-building exercise on a 'Back to Work'
scheme.
The differential tides at the two ends of the strait
cause very strong currents to flow in both directions
through the strait at different times, creating dangerous
conditions. One of the most dangerous areas of the strait is
known as the Swellies (or Swillies – Welsh Pwll Ceris)
between the two bridges. Here, rocks near the surface cause
over-falls and local whirlpools, which can be of
considerable danger in themselves and cause small boats to
founder on the rocks. This was the site of the loss of the
training ship HMS Conway in 1953.
It's hard to imagine living on Anglesey before the bridges
were built; Druids used to reside here until the Romans did
away with them in around 60AD.
*I learned that 'Anglesey' the "Isle of the Straits",
is what the Vikings called the island of Mona, which is
typically called Ynys Môn by the Welsh. I also see that
according to
Wikipedia it is the Menai Strait, whereas I've been
calling 'them' the Menai Straits (I think I'll continue to
do so!)
Below is Bangor (Garth)
Pier, and as we learned, the second-longest pier in
Wales. For some reason I was reminded of Bay Watch...
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