It seems as though there will be a few 'Forces-of-Nature' members coming to Borth for the Easter weekend, so I thought I'd get a thread going to see exactly who will be around and to encourage a few others to turn up.

I'll also try to organise a BBQ of sorts for the weekend if the weather looks good.

So who's coming, and those that are coming make sure you bring ALL your toys and also if possible bring an old wetsuit and some old trainers. Then if there isn't any wind or surf we can do a gorge walk in the hills (at yout own risk!!). For those of you who don't know what gorge walking involves take a look at some of the descriptions and photos

So far I think the shortlist for people likely to be around is:

• ME
  
• Anna
  
• Dave
  
• Sarah
  
• BEFS
  
• SeanBo
  
• Olly
  

Nothing planned as yet but I'm sure I will be making a last minute dash over to Borth.

I intend to come over sometime Easter weekend but it will depend on the wind and commitments at home.

Could someone email the details of the hostel BEFS is staying in, incase I have enough time to spend two days playing!!

See you soon
Olly

This is the link for borth hostel (if it works)

borth yha

I booked online then called me back within 20mins to confirm booking

borth@yha.org.uk

failing that

www.yha.org.uk and search for borth

Any one got any info on camp sites in the area?

Preferred sites are the quiet, minimal facilities sites with a good clean loo block and a pub within staggering distance. Good views are also well accepted

Ta

SeanBo

I found this one on a yellow pages search its the only one listed for borth, not sure If yellow pages has reached deepest darkest wales yet though

Camping Ynys-Fergi
Ynys Fergi Farm
Borth Dyfed
SY24 5NA

Tel: 01970 871344

Sorry I haven't been more help in this department, but living here means I've never really had the need to investigate or use any campsites in or around Borth.

I'll ask a few questions in the next few days if I can and see if I come up with anything though.

Al.

No problem. I have the same problem when people ask me what there is to do and see in Dorset (and there is lots!)

I found the following 4 sites listed on the net. Have you heard of any of them? Should I avoid any?

I'm a bit worried that they all bill themselves as Caravan Parks (no offence intended to your new home, but when you pitch a small tent amongst caravans you end up feeling like a zoo exhibit!!)

A Fron Caravan Park
Borth
SY24 5LR Tel: 01970 611200

Brynrodyn Caravan and Leisure park
Borth
SY24 5NR Tel: 01970 871472

The Mill House Caravan Park
Dol-y-Bont
Borth
SY24 5LX Tel: 01970 871481

Ty Mawr Caravan Park
Ynslas
Borth
SY24 5LB Tel: 01970 871327

Mill House in Dol-y-Bont is nice I think, but there isn't a pub in the village.

Ty Mawr is OK but again its a lttle way from the nearest pub, but pretty close to the usual windsurfing locations.

The others are both in Borth and close to the action. Also in Borth for caravan sites are:

Bryn Owen caravan site...pretty big, just down the road from the Lifeboat Station. (01970 871366)

Sea Rivers. Just down the road from the Estuary at Ynyslas. (01970 871399)

Pen Y Graig Farm Caravan Park. (01970 871717).

Glanlerry... This one is just outside of Borth and looks quite nice whenever I drive past it. (01970 871413)

Golden Sands... (01970 871440)

Cambrian Coast... Up by the Golf Course Car park so a nice little walk/stagger along the beach to/fromthe pub.

I think thats all of them... I never realised there were so many!! Now you're spolit for choice!


Al.

Fantastic. Thanks for that!

For those of you following the link from the newsletter... These other threads may interest you too:

Tide times for borth Easter Weekend

How Deeps the water: Includes a satellite image of the Estuary and northern end of Borth beach!!

I'll post more info on where and when to meet etc. closer to the time... probably the Golf Course Car park on Friday morning though and the Friendship in the evenings.

Al.

Thinking of coming to Borth at some point over the Easter weekend just wondering if there is a height restriction on the car park entrance as have had trouble with these in the past.

Jonah... Theres is no restriction into the estuary, or any of the other car parking areas along the beach.... But there is a height restriction into the Golf Course Car Park on the sea front where we usually sail / kite from. HOWEVER the gate next to the height restriction will almost certainly be open over the Easter Weekend as I'm sure they'll be charging (usually £1) for the car park. I've got a key for the gate anyway, so there shouldn't be too much to worry about on that front.

Al.

For those of you coming to Borth for Easter and staying in the Youth Hostel I just thought I'd let you know that I was in the Youth Hostel yesterday morning....while waiting for the RAC to come and rescue me after my car 'just stopped working' in the middle of the road in the pouring rain.

Anyway I went into the Youth Hostel to wait and it looks really nice and comfy. They were just doing breakfast which also looked very yummy and they were really helpful letting me wait out of the pouring rain.

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know

See you all at Easter
Anna

Just looked at the 10 day forecast for Abderdovey at http://uk.weather.com/weather/local/UKXX0682... Its not a pretty sight ...5-10mph and raining for Easter weekend. Still, that could be a good thing as the forecasts are always wrong!!

Come on guys, start sacrificing virgins and dancing naked around a pole in your garden at midnight (or something), we need some wind!!

Al.

The threat of me dancing naked round a pole in my back garden should be enough to make any god promise wind!

However I will contend myself with a good old fashioned wind dance tomorrow morning when the sun starts to shine

Doesn't look like you've been dancing hard enough!!... Either that or it was just too early as we had plenty of wind yesterday and its been blowing pretty well all day today as well... Its still about 20 knots out there at the moment, so if I have time I might manage another session in the estuary later once thees some water.

However, things aren't looking good windwise for next weekend. Not to worry though as the weather looks quite nice so we'll be able to do a gorge walk and then sit around on the beach BBQing and drinking beer!!

Its not all bad!.. Besidesm we know how wrong the forecasts can be when its the other way around.

I had Ken on the phone to me this morning asking what the plans for the weekend were.. There aren't any really, but I guess we should plan to meet in the Golf Course Car Park sometime on Friday... When is everyone planning on getting here?

And then meet up in the 'Friendship Inn' in Borth itself in the evening... Hows that sound??

Those of you who haven't been here before and don't know any of these places, then U2U me and I'll give you my mobile No.

Al.

P.S. Suppose I'd better sort out some BBQing facilities.

I hope to leave about 5am ish on friday morning so hopefuly be in borth about 10 ish and the latest (theres alot of ish's there)

Looking at a map there dont' seem much at the top end of Borth so should be able to find out where im going.

See everyone there and that includes you Wind

Yep, you're right, there isn't much up at the North end of Borth..

Basically the road curves around away from the sea at the end of Borth (actually in Ynyslas) and also goes straight on towards the estuary. The entrance to the Golf Course Car park is at this junction (just beyond the bus stop). Once in the Car Park we normally park as far North as you can get within the Car Park itself... Theres some nice grass to rig on down there, its at the end of the groynes and the rigging area is fairly well protected by the pebbole bank and sand dunes.

You'll find it difficult to get lost in Borth anyway!!

See you Friday, and bring the wind with you.

Al.

I've just checked the WindGuru forecast, and with the usual "Tuesday Morning Wind Forecast Optimism" they are saying NE 15mph for Saturday... OK, it doesn't sound like much, but in the estuary that should translate to 20-25mph and with high tide around 10.30am it could make for a nice morning long session...

No doubt the mph numbers will drop throughout the week!!

Al.

Lets just hope that they dont' realise its a long weekend and we are sailing on Friday this weekend

Shhhhh!!!!

Although Friday isn't looking good windwise...It is weatherwise though, and looking at the forecasts this afternoon, things are looking up with NE Force 4 forecast for Sat and NE Force 4-5 on Sun.... Don't get too excited yet, but NE's are THE PERFECT direction for the estuary.... I'd prefer some NW's and some swell for the seafront personally, but you can't have it all.

If there are a few people around on the Friday and theres not much wind, maybe we could do a gorge walk?? Who's up for that?

Dazza, have you earnt enough brownie points to make it this weekend? You haven't done the gorge before have you?... You'll enjoy it.

Olly...How about you? You coming for some more NE action in the estuary?

Al.

Al, bearing in mind that Friday (and, therefore, this weekend) will see the largest spring tides this year, what sort of conditions will that mean around the area? Will the estuary dry out? Will the sea do a Weston & disappear over the horizon? And what does all this mean in the anticipated E winds?

Cheers,
Martin

Hi Martin..

The main part of the estuary will dry out, but the small channel between the point and Aberdovey will still be sailable. Although runs will be short so it will be gybing practise only!!... There will also be quite a bit of water moving around in the channel.

The sea doesn't disappear over the horizon. It obviously goes out a bit further than usual but its not too much of a walk.

As far as the Easterly go, then it will be perfect (if the wind arrives) in the estuary in the morning. High tide is 9.55am on Friday and around midday on Monday... You'll be able to sail for at least 2 hours either side of High tide without even worrying about the sandbanks. There will also probably be an extra force or so of wind than elsewhere, espeically once it goes NE... Its about 20 knots here as I write this. Gotta go to work though.

Once the tide has dropped, we may be able to sail off the seafront in offshore winds, but it'll probably be better for messing around with kites etc on the arge expnse of sand.

Lets hope the wind arrives.... The forecasts are teasing at the mo, with Saturday looking the best for wind..

Al.

I've just taken a walk to the estuary and it is indeed windy there at the moment!

It was 7am and high tide is at 9.15am and there was plenty of water even for a biggish fin, but that wouldn't be needed as the wind was a steady 22 knots NE. I stood there for about 5 minutes with my anenometer and it didn't once drop below 20 knots, but there was an occasional 25 knot gust. I would have rigged my wave board and 5m sail. The closest weather stations/bouys are reading ENE and SE 10 knots... I love this place!!

I doubt it will last all day though because as the temperature picks up, a sea breeze effect will kick in, opposing the Easterlies... Lets hope we get the same for the weekend as I have to work today in order to tke the bank holidays off. Especially after yesterdays spending spree!

Al.

Bad day at work so will not be coming down tonight, but will try and set off early tomorrow.

Look forward to seeing you all there, lets hope there is plenty of wind (despite the weather forecast!)

Keep and eye out for someone sailing (badly) on the estuary on an F2 board and (probably) an Arrows rig

SeanBo

Will do.... I'm going to get there at about 7am if theres wind. I should be able to tell from within the confines of the caravan!

Today the wind stayed all day until about 6pm when the water was filling up in the estuary and I got home... Grrr.

Hopefully there will be enought tomorrow morning. Radical Rob says he's gonna meet me there at 7am as well, so I might have someone to sail with for a change!

See you tomorrow.

Al.

Hmmmm, I was thinking of leaving about 7am! As it is about a 5 hour drive we will not get there until the middle of the day and then we need to pitch a tent!

I guess you will be having a longer relax/play than I will tomorrow.

SeanBo

PS - I had a meeting in Poole this AM and it was a perfect learners day. Flat as a mirror with a gentle/steady breeze. Reminded me of why I started this sport......its just a shame that I would no longer be happy with these conditions!

Just thought I'd let you all know that it is now 10pm and its just started blowin' a hoolie out there!!!

Lets hope it lasts.


Al.

ooopppsss.... got stuck in to some cans of stella so will probably be even later! Still, I guess that should improve the chances of wind for you guys!

Nice on SeanBo.... It seems to be working as its windy here at the moment (5.45am). I'm just waiting for there to be some water in the estuary and I'll be off.

See you later.

Al.

So far so good... There was about 7 windsurfers and five kitesurfers out in the estuary yesterday...Which is REALLY busy for Borth. This included me, BEFS, Radical Rob, and Richard windsurfing and Mike, Derek and Simon kitesurfing. Check the diaries for all the details.

Ken, SeanBo and Jane all turned up a little too late to catch the tides, but we're meeting again at 8am in the estuary as the NE winds should be OK there today. A few others should turn up today as well. Lets hope the wind lasts.

Al.

The estuary gave all its got today and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I certainly did, but with winds up to 35 knots (and probably exceeding that at times), it did become a little hectic at times.

Whats it been like elsewhere?

Al.

Today was the best day so far... Still sunny, still windy and lots (15 or so) of people out windsurfing.

I had a fantastic day and the visitors (SeanBo, Jane, BEFS etc) just couldn't quite believe how windy it has been... I think they were suitably impressed with this part of Wales... And they haven't even been sailing on the seafront yet!

Al.