[Leica] IMG: Wales pics 2

[lrzeitlin at gmail.com (Lawrence Zeitlin)]

OK. this is almost the last time that I will talk about the Menai Strait
although it is the defining characteristic of north Wales. It and the
Snowdonia mountains proved such formidable obstacles that the Romans never
really conquered Anglesley and it took the British a generation to do it. As
a result this region, Gwynedd, is the most Welsh part of the country. The
Welsh language is required in schools. Residents speak it at home and many
road signs, place names and TV shows are in Welsh. It's tough on foreigners
since Welsh is rarely spoken or taught outside of an area roughly the size
of a large Texas ranch.

The Menai Strait itself is about 14 miles long, quite wide at each end and
narrows down to a constricted channel of a few hundred yards at the Telford
Bridge. There is a regular 26 ft. tide but at the full and new moons the
tide can swing up to 30 ft. The different water levels between each end of
the strait force a swift current through the narrow portion that can reach
almost 15 miles an hour. On a mild day the strait looks peaceful enough but
when the wind picks up the waters can be stormy. The tidal currents are said
to be the fiercest in the British Isles.

The strait is pockmarked with small islands, some barely more than large
rocks, but a few of considerable size. The small ones disappear when the
tide rises, the only evidence of their existence being ripples and eddies in
the current. Of the few that remain above water, the most interesting is
Church Island, a five acre plot of rocky land containing a tiny stone
chapel, the church of St. Tysilio. It is surrounded by a flower planted
cemetery. The island is reached by a narrow causeway from shore. The
causeway and walk to the church is called the Belgian Walk. It was built as
a gift by Belgian refugees who were sheltered in the area during WW1.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Bridge+and+Church+Island.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Church+Island+1.jpg.html

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Church+of+St_+Tysilio.jpg.html

The other interesting island is about half a mile south of Church Island. It
is much smaller, only about one acre at low tide. Right in the center is a
stone farmhouse that would be unremarkable if it were anywhere but in the
middle of the Menai Strait. There is a family living in the house and a few
sheep in a pen just outside the door. There is no way to reach the island
except by boat, and that only when the current is slack. At the bimonthly
spring tides, when the water reaches its highest levels, little wavelets lap
against the front stoop and the sheep get their feet wet. A bit more global
warming and the family will be forced to move to the second floor and raise
ducks.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Menai+Strait+farm.jpg.html


Larry Z