justal
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| posted on 17-1-2004 at 20:37 |
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Borth BST beach bash
Its that time of year again... time to start planning the first Forces-of-Nature beach meeting and due to its popularity last year, the
first one will once again be in Borth, West Wales on the weekend the clocks go forward, 27th & 28th March 2004.
For those who haven't joined us before, basically its a very informal affair where we all meet up for a weekend and indulge in our
favourite Forces-of-Nature sports. The last one in October was a roaring success with around 40 people turning up, so hopefully the
first one of 2004 will be just as good.
The 27th & 28th March should be a good weekend, as not only do the clocks go forward, but high tides are around midday and are
fairly small, giving plenty of opportunity for water and land-based sports either on the seafront or in the estuary.
For those who don't know the area, Borth is a 4 mile long sandy beach that faces west. The surf can be OK and sometimes really good,
but the conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing and land-based beach sports are perfect. The hard packed wide sandy beach is just
excellent for kite-buggying, land-yatching etc. Windsurfing is possible in any wind direction, with SSW through to NNW being best on
the seafront. These winds provide perfect bump and jump conditions or onshore wave-sailing conditions. If a big SW is blowing then it
does get big and gnarly, but under such conditions we tend to sail from the Lifeboat Station at the south of the beach where the cliffs
provide a little protection and the waves are smaller and cleaner.
Occasionally dead Southerly or Northerly winds provide cross-shore sailing. These (especially the southerlies) can be accompanied by
waves, or can be fairly flat. SE winds can be OK and provide some cross-offshore wave-sailing on rare occassions, but the wind is often
gusty. NE and Easterly winds are sailable on the seafront, but we tend to head to the estuary at Ynyslas in these wind directions as
the valley there funnels the wind increasing it by at least 10 knots, and often more like 20 knots. It can often produce good 5m
sailing conditions when everywhere is still. The water state in here is anything from mirror smooth to mad confused chop.
Kitesurfing is possible from both the sea front or in the estuary where the flat waters can be perfect.
The town itself is fairly small and rarely busy. There are three pubs, a couple of general stores and lots of campsites to choose from.
The Youth Hostel is pretty good for acommodation too. (I'll post a more comprehensive list of accomodation options soon.)
Kite Surf Wales have said that they will be on hand for the weekend and will give free taster
sessions to those interested in taking up kite-powered sports.
As usual it will probably turn into a long weekend and start on the Friday when we'll meet either on the beach during the day or in the
Friendship pub (Borth) in the evening, and that will be the plan for Sat and Sun too.
We obviously can't control the weather, but whatever happens on that front hopefully we'll all find something to do to amuse
ourselves...even if we have to do a gorge walk!!! 
If you're going to join us then post a reply here and we'll look out for you.
Oh, and start praying for perfect conditions.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
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Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Nugget
Member 
Member #: 484 Posts 1
Registered: 27-12-2003 Location: Worcester Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 17-1-2004 at 21:02 |
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Hey Al, long time since I've been to Borth (good memories) book me a place in the car park, see you there.
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shem
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| posted on 17-1-2004 at 21:16 |
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Yip, should be a good weekend, and the KITE SURF WALES, toy box,(van) will be there, if people want to try kiting for the first time.
If theres a big enough response maybe I could get the caution and globe rider guys up with some kit for us to play with, what do you
think????
C you all there.
Kite & SUP wales
Caravan decking wales
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Spencer
A Force-of-Nature *  
Member #: 250 Posts 282
Registered: 17-6-2003 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 18-1-2004 at 15:14 |
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hi Al,
99% sure ill pop up for that weekend,just checked my work plan & ive got sat sun mon off so this w/end falls nicely as i
have to work every other w/end on this continental shift.If the wind & sea state is anyhting like last time should be a good
one!!!
Spence...
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Nick
Pro 
Member #: 218 Posts 118
Registered: 11-5-2003 Member Is Offline Mood: don't like winter.....too dark
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| posted on 18-1-2004 at 20:35 |
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Excellent, count me in, I'm really looking forward to it. If the forecast looks good I might use one or two of those precious annual
leave days to make it a long weekend....it seemed to work last time.
Hi Nugget - most impressed with your trek to Hunstanton...I was watching rugby on Sat afternoon and it was f'ing freezing. Where do you
sail locally - Hallow, Bredon, Pershore etc?
cheers
Nick
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zelwaters
Pro
Member #: 351 Posts 98
Registered: 3-9-2003 Location: manchester (sniff) Member Is Offline Mood: desperate for windy warm weath
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| posted on 19-1-2004 at 09:16 |
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hello, so the 27th and 28th, fancy that, have to book it off, cheers for the notice,
isnt borth beautiful, took a peak there on saturday, took me 4 hours to drive down, hopefully it will be quicker next time!
hey al, any good places to go out in aber? night wise!
"its not the pace of life that scares me its that sudden drop at the end" NO FEAR
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Dave
A Force-of-Nature ** 
Member #: 15 Posts 388
Registered: 29-7-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: Hey Ho
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| posted on 19-1-2004 at 16:33 |
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Hey Zel - Which way did you go? It only takes me 2 and half hours from Sale. (When I visit my Mum).
Anyhow I'll be around for that weekend, so see you all then.
borth-rowing-club.org.uk
borthlifeboat.org.uk
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justal
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| posted on 19-1-2004 at 20:07 |
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quote:
Originally posted by zelwaters
hey al, any good places to go out in aber? night wise!
Tonnes of them.... You'll be amazed at how many pubs there are in Aber, I think it has more bars etc per population than anywhere
else.
There aren't many clubs though, the few I can think of that have late licenses are The Glen (on the seafront towards the cliff
railway), The Bay, along the same bit of road, Pier Pressure (on the pier funnily enough), and the 'up-market' Brasserie (also on the
Pier), The Academy, (up towards the castle) and the club by the clock-tower that has a new name, but has previously been called Porky's
and K2... And of course there the Student Union up on the campus.
Also, if you are in the right place at the right time there are numerous pubs where lock-ins ar common-place... Some which you can
pretty much guarantee it!! 
On the 27th-28th we'll end up in the Friendship in Borth.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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zelwaters
Pro
Member #: 351 Posts 98
Registered: 3-9-2003 Location: manchester (sniff) Member Is Offline Mood: desperate for windy warm weath
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| posted on 20-1-2004 at 23:18 |
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hey al, cheers for that, i went to the Bay on sat nite, was not that great to start off with, but went back later on after a couple
more drinks and had a laugh. was looking for some rock nites out, oh i dindt tell you, i stayed over at this pub/ motel, and my bed
looked like something featured out of the adams family, where fester sinks into the bed like a coffin, only got one hours kip.
Dave, sorry only just read ur post, sent a u2u after seeing someone mention u could do dale to borth in 2.5 hours, il ask u again how
did u do it??
i followed on the map what i thought ws the quickest route, but ended up trekking through snowdonia national park! took 4 hours if not
longer,, then on the way back accidently followed a different route which on the map looks longer, but took bout the same time! i
always follow m56 then a55 takes bout an hour
zel
"its not the pace of life that scares me its that sudden drop at the end" NO FEAR
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zelwaters
Pro
Member #: 351 Posts 98
Registered: 3-9-2003 Location: manchester (sniff) Member Is Offline Mood: desperate for windy warm weath
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| posted on 20-1-2004 at 23:19 |
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by the way i live in sale, well kinda, my boyf does, but i live in cheadle hulme
"its not the pace of life that scares me its that sudden drop at the end" NO FEAR
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justal
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| posted on 21-1-2004 at 06:49 |
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Looks as though Dave's Sale to Borth route is in demand... Post it here dave as Thodd and Bodhi want it as well.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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zelwaters
Pro
Member #: 351 Posts 98
Registered: 3-9-2003 Location: manchester (sniff) Member Is Offline Mood: desperate for windy warm weath
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| posted on 21-1-2004 at 09:24 |
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indeed
"its not the pace of life that scares me its that sudden drop at the end" NO FEAR
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justal
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| posted on 21-1-2004 at 15:12 |
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Accomodation
As promised, for those who need it, here is a list of possible accomodation options in and around Borth.
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
Ynyslas
Borth
SY24 5LB Tel: 01970 871327
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 it for caravan sites.
Now for some B&B's etc.
Picnic
High Street, Borth, Ceredigion, SY24 5JP.
Phone: 01970 871346 Fax: 0870 1287114 (From £17.50 per night)
Grosvenor
Borth, SY24 5JS
01970 871459
Glanmor Hotel
01970 871689
Pebbles
01970 871362
Maesteg B & B
Borth Dyfed
SY24 5JP
Tel: 01970 871928
Another popular option is the Youth Hostel... BEFS will tell you all about that, but he seems to like it there. This is his info
on the place from last time:
quote:
Originally posted by badexcuseforasailor
If you don't mind sharing a dorm the hostel is great £10.25 for the night then £5 ish for evening meal and £4 for
breakfast(or theres a selfcatering kitchen if you want to cook)
Book here borth yha
0870 770 5708
you have to be a member of the yha though £13 for a year
memebership
I'm not sure which ones will be open in March, but the list above should give you something to start with.... I just copied it from the
thread about the last trip to Borth so let me know if any of
the details are out of date. You'll also find lots of info on Borth and its conditions in that thread (including my amazing sketch map
of the beach on page 2!)
Looks like it could turn into a good meeting. Hopefully the first of several this year.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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MartinF
Pro 
Worst Wipeout Award 2003
Member #: 72 Posts 79
Registered: 28-10-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: needing time out
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| posted on 22-1-2004 at 09:50 |
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Hey Al,
Weather willing, I'll be there. I've sworn I'll make it up to Borth this year, so count me in.
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AndyW
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| posted on 22-1-2004 at 13:00 |
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Al,
Really enjoyed the last meet so count us in.
We might even get Jules back in the water.
Or at the very least kiting of some kind and as always I need my photographer to record the event.
Andy & Jules!
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Thodd
A Force-of-Nature *
Most active Body-boarder 2004
Member #: 446 Posts 278
Registered: 14-11-2003 Location: Manchester Member Is Offline Mood: itchin to get wet!!!
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| posted on 22-1-2004 at 13:16 |
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Al,
Is the place near the Golf Course just a case of finding a clearing and pitching your tent? ie not a camp site.
Then getting balls hit against your tent when someone's teeing offon the 18th at silly o'clock in the morning?
The random dumping of the tent without paying for it appeals to me!
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justal
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| posted on 22-1-2004 at 19:29 |
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quote:
Originally posted by MartinF
Hey Al,
Weather willing, I'll be there. I've sworn I'll make it up to Borth this year, so count me in.
Woohoo.... its about time Martin.
Lets just hope theres wind so that you get to see Borth at its best.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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justal
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| posted on 22-1-2004 at 19:34 |
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Andy & Jules... Glad you'll be able to make it, although I had assumed you would as you are almost locals these days!!
Thodd.. the camping in the dunes is not officially allowed, but at that time of year there shouldn't be any problems. In the summer the
golf course car park attendant will actually let you camp there anyway and if he see's you will relieve you of a fiver for the
privelege. He won't be around until much later in the year though, so its should be OK...
Even in the summer you would get away with camping in the dunes themselves, but last time Spencer and Paul just pitched a tent in the
car park.
You're unlikely to get hit by a golf ball there either, its quite a way from the fairway... Unless I was playing golf of course, coz
then the balls could end up anywhere!!
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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justal
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| posted on 23-1-2004 at 08:33 |
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Sale to Borth
Thodd, Bodhi, Zelwaters... I don't know the route from Sale to Borth, we'll have to wait to hear from Dave for that, but how long does
it take you to get to Porthmadog when you go to Hells Mouth?? Its only an hour to Borth from there, so although it looks like a long
way round, it could be an option..
Although, I've just done a route-planner enquiry through the AA and they give Sale to Borth as 130 miles, 2hr 50 mins.
B5166 Start out at Sale,Gt Man
Follow signs Northenden B5166
B5166 Sale Moor (Junction with A6144)
Follow signs Northenden B5166 through one-way gyratory system
A5103 Junction with A5103
At traffic signals turn right to join A5103 (signposted Chester, Warrington)
M56 Junction with A560/M56
Forward to join Motorway M56
M56 Junction 9 (M6)
Travelodge (Lymm)
M56 Junction 14 (A5117)
CHESTER SERVICE AREA
M56 Junction 15 (M53)
Take right-hand lanes (signposted Queensferry)
A5117 Motorway Terminal Roundabout
At roundabout take 1st exit A5117 to leave Motorway
A5117 Junction with A540
At roundabout take 2nd exit
A550 Junction with A550
At traffic signals forward A550
A494 Junction with A494/A548
A494 Junction with A550/B5129 (edge of Queensferry)
Forward (signposted Mold)
A55 Junction with A55
Branch left (signposted Chester) to join A55
A550 Junction 35 (A550)
Branch left and at roundabout take 4th exit A550 (signposted Wrexham)
A550 Dobshill (Junction with A549)
At roundabout take 2nd exit
A550 Junction with A5104/A5118 (not shown)
At roundabout take 2nd exit
A5104 Junction with A5104(north)
At roundabout take 3rd exit A5104 (signposted Corwen)
A5104 Pontblyddyn ("The Bridge Inn")
Turn left then right
A5104 Pontybodkin (post office)
A5104 Coed-talon ("Railway Inn")
A5104 Rhydtalog ("The Liver Inn")
A5104 (edge of) Llandegla ("Crown Hotel")
Turn right then left
A5104 Junction with A542
At roundabout take 2nd exit
A5104 Bryneglwys
A494 Junction with A494
Forward A494 (signposted Bala)
A5 Junction with A5 (east)
At traffic signals turn right A5 (signposted Betws-y-Coed)
A494 Junction with A494
At traffic signals turn left A494 (signposted Bala)
A494 Glan-yr-afon
A494 Bethel
A494 Sarnau
A494 Cefn-ddwysarn
A494 Llanfor
A494 BALA
Follow signs Dolgellau A494 Later alongside Bala Lake
A494 Llanuwchllyn
Bear right
A494 Rhydymain
A494 Bontnewydd (Junction with B4416)
A494 Junction for Dolgellau
Forward (signposted Betws-y-Coed, Llangurig)
A470 Junction with A470
At T-junction turn left A470 (signposted Machynlleth, Llangurig)
A487 "Cross Foxes Inn"
Turn right A487 (signposted Machynlleth) and ascend
A487 Summit (938 ft) (Craig-y-Llam)
Descend to
A487 Corris Uchaf
A487 (edge of) Corris ("Braich Goch Hotel")
A487 Centre for Alternative Technology (to left)
A487 Pantperthog
A487 Junction with A493
Bear left and cross River Dovey
A487 Machynlleth (Clock Tower)
A487 Celtica
At roundabout take 2nd exit
A487 Derwenlas ("Black Lion Inn")
A487 Glandyfi
A487 Eglwys Fach
A487 R.S.P.B Nature Reserve (to right)
A487 Furnace
B4353 Tre'r-ddol ("The Wildfowler" public house)
Turn right B4353 (signposted Borth)
B4353 Llancynfelin
In 1.9 miles over level crossing 0.7 mile farther keep left
B4353 Arrive at BORTH
Section time 2:50, Total time 2:50
And they've missed the shortcut that I know about through Brithdir (between Bala and and Cross Foxes Inn along the B4416, missing out
Dolgellau).. I'm sure there are others.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
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Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Thodd
A Force-of-Nature *
Most active Body-boarder 2004
Member #: 446 Posts 278
Registered: 14-11-2003 Location: Manchester Member Is Offline Mood: itchin to get wet!!!
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| posted on 23-1-2004 at 08:49 |
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Hi Al,
On Average it can take anything between 2-2.5 hours to get to Hells mouth, so if we're going to Borth.... taking into account the
getting lost factor (yes...even with your extensive directions!!), the food stop, the toilet stop, the provisions stop, the petrol stop
and the stopping for stoppings sake...I reckon I could do it in 3-3.5hrs !
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk