Anglesey - 3rd - 4th September 2022

The Norfolk trip to Sea Palling had to be postponed due to the predicted weather forecast —a good call by Mark and Anna as the local BSAC club cancelled their dive trips as well due to rough seas.

As the boats had been prepped Phil decided to ask if anyone wanted to go to Anglesey as the forecast for the weekend was reasonable. Rosie and Ken said yes, and Rob came for the Saturday.

We met at 7,15am at Rhoscolyn to load and launch Top Cat, to dive Pinnacle D on the slack water window at 10.30am. Phil and I had already dived Pinnacles A, B and C last year; therefore, this was the last of these new dive sites to be explored. The site was shotted and we waited for the tide to slacken. Pinnacle D did not disappoint. With a 30 m seabed, 4m viz and a water temperature of 17C, Phil Rob and I dived first. As with the previous pinnacles the first buddy pair dives for 35 minutes, with some current leading into slack and the second pair quickly change over and dive the remainder of slack water and drift off as the current picks up. Good buoyancy and DSMB skills essential. The pinnacle itself was steep sided with vertical cracks and horizontal crevices covered in marine life. Elegant, Daisy, Dahlia and large patches of pink and orange Jewel Anemones, Elephants Ear, large Ross Coral, a variety of hydroids and bryzoa. Best finds were a very large mature Cat Shark, Lobster, Crayfish and Conger Eel. We also saw Ballan Wrasse, Edible and Velvet Swimming Crabs and Tom Pot Blennies.  A great dive and like the other pinnacles a return visit is a must.

The shot was jammed tight. We finally decided to return to Rhoscolyn and swop cylinders ready for the afternoon.

We settled for Rhoscolyn Head as the second dive site as it was non tidal and had the least surge on it. The seabed was 17m. The first section was small boulders covered with short red seaweed and home to juvenile Pollack and Gold Sinny. The second section was a series of large boulders covered in short turf on a sand and pebble seabed. Velvet Swimming and Edible crabs, Lobster, Squat Lobster, Cat Shark, Blennies, Bloody Henry and several Boring Sponge were seen.

We returned to the Pinnacle and eventually recovered the shot. A 5pm finish with a plan to meet on Sunday morning at 7.45am at the slip at Camaes. Bright blue skies and flat calm seas greeted us as we came into the cark park.

However, Phil’s dive plan was totally scuppered as the parish council had decided as of 1st September to lock the slip. A handwritten note on the notice board was all the information available. Disappointment all round.!!! Back to the club house to de-kit the boat, flush the engine and jet wash Top Cat. Tim came down to help Phil and me before we went home for another round of kit washing.

Thanks to buddies Rosie, Ken and Rob.  Big thanks to Phil for meticulous organisation and dive planning.     Pat S