Conwy
Conwy (or Conway) goes straight into my top 10 harbour list and you will see why from the three videos of this amazing place. Matt Forbes has been Harbour Master since 2012 and his very "unusual" fact is that his harbour authority has an ongoing legal battle with a local gentleman who is a self proclaimed "Freeman of the Land" (someone who believes they do not have to obey any laws). Luckily for Clwyd Council, Matt is a qualified solicitor, and knows his Maritime law inside out!
Perched under the imposing walls of the 13th Century castle, Matt and his friendly team work in a smart office with an enviable view over the harbour and River Conwy. The fortified town was designed by Edward 1st as an English stronghold, and it mostly intact. The river has four famous bridges - Telford's Chain Bridge built in 1826 and not replaced until 1958 with a 2nd road bridge. A tubular train bridge built by Stephenson in 1848 - the first of its kind in the world. And very unusually, an "Immersed Tube" road bridge - which is really a tunnel in everything but name, built in 1991.
We spent the night moored just below the castle and the trio of bridges, in what was a very beautiful spot. With its mix of fast flowing river (see video), 400 river and sea moorings, 650 marina moorings, a fishing fleet, a long "shifting sand" channel and drying harbour, Matt and his team have an extremely busy job, but I felt they all loved it. Thank you very much for your hospitality to Good Dog and her crew.
Perched under the imposing walls of the 13th Century castle, Matt and his friendly team work in a smart office with an enviable view over the harbour and River Conwy. The fortified town was designed by Edward 1st as an English stronghold, and it mostly intact. The river has four famous bridges - Telford's Chain Bridge built in 1826 and not replaced until 1958 with a 2nd road bridge. A tubular train bridge built by Stephenson in 1848 - the first of its kind in the world. And very unusually, an "Immersed Tube" road bridge - which is really a tunnel in everything but name, built in 1991.
We spent the night moored just below the castle and the trio of bridges, in what was a very beautiful spot. With its mix of fast flowing river (see video), 400 river and sea moorings, 650 marina moorings, a fishing fleet, a long "shifting sand" channel and drying harbour, Matt and his team have an extremely busy job, but I felt they all loved it. Thank you very much for your hospitality to Good Dog and her crew.