I'd noticed this on the UCET forum a while ago, but had not got round to having a look until today.http://www.ucet.org.uk/~ucet9504/index.php/forum/21-knowledge-bank/870-menai-straits-adit

The footpath in question is next to the (self) grandly named Rhianfa Château. The spring tide was fully in, so a bit of crag hopping sport was called for. I was hoping to traverse round and exit via the Gazelle pub. I came across Ian's adit quite soon. It was fairly low but had and almost geometrical arched roof.A bit further round there was another adit, maybe 20 feet long. Further on again there was a trench quarried out parallel to the Straits. This section had obvious and profuse quartz veining. I can't say I noticed any mineralisation though. Further on things got tricky - a private establishment with vertical walls dropping into the briney putting a tin hat on my traversing. So it was a reverse, and slightly higher traverse back to Plas Rhianfa due to the incoming tide. There was also a bricked up area at some point, but I don't know if that was adit related or mystery pipe related, presumably bringing dubious matter from someone's property. Ian gave it a 1/100, but then again he may have visited during low tide!

A good find anyway. I know that footpath well as I occasionally head there for my lunchtime constitutional but haven't explored along the shore from it. I'll take my wellies next time then.

pedant mode: on
Menai Strait is singular, there's only one.
(sorry, pet peeve of mine :-[)

---

http://www.mcra.org.uk/logbooks/index.php?display=jrat%2FVolume%2002%20%281974%20to%201981%29%2FPage%20014.jpg 

(If anyone is not already aware of them, it's worth mentioning that Jrat's logbooks (http://www.mcra.org.uk/logbooks/index.php?dir=jrat) are a remarkable resource. Tony was a Mendip-based caver (though he caved all over the world) and his log books provide a complete record of all the caving (and mine exploration) trips he undertook between 1964 and 2008. Each entry typically includes cave name, area, location, duration of the trip, who else was on the trip and a description.

Dave

I really should have a look at that - given I can just about make out my 'office' in the background of the photo!

I think there's the remains of a small quarry on the other side of the road about 150m towards Menai Bridge, but I doubt the two are related.

---

Good spot, to think of the times I've been past and not noticed.

There's a couple of levels on the other side between Siliwen baths and the Pier. They're roughly opposite the Gazelle, perhaps similar trials. I haven't really visited these in over 30 years, so my memory is a bit patchy. One behind the terrace of houses seemed to have a dam for a water supply. Anyway, I have managed to find one photo.

[img]http://www.aditnow.co.uk/cache/Personal-Album-118/Personal-Album-118-101779.jpg[img]

http://www.mcra.org.uk/logbooks/index.php?display=jrat%2FVolume%2002%20%281974%20to%201981%29%2FPage%20014.jpg 

(If anyone is not already aware of them, it's worth mentioning that Jrat's logbooks (http://www.mcra.org.uk/logbooks/index.php?dir=jrat) are a remarkable resource. Tony was a Mendip-based caver (though he caved all over the world) and his log books provide a complete record of all the caving (and mine exploration) trips he undertook between 1964 and 2008. Each entry typically includes cave name, area, location, duration of the trip, who else was on the trip and a description.

Dave

That damned J.Rat seems to have got everywhere!, a good mate, I miss him:(

---

Yes, great diaries and a lot of North Wales stuff in them as well.

I'd heard of the adits on the other side, but didn't see anything when I was there a few months ago. Are they further towards the pier from the boatyard? Think the coastal path heads up to Siliwrn Road from there which may be why I missed them.

Yes, if you'd kept on from the boat yard they are between there and the pier. However I don't know what the access is like these days. When I originally had a look around the terrace of houses was unoccupied and was being renovated, so you could get in behind. One of them had the usual spurious claim (a story commented on by my Taid) that it went for miles!

Yes, I think I've heard stories of it heading towards the Cathedral or similar.

Robin

I've heard the same. Didn't realise there were mine adits about there though.

I hesitate to use the c word on here but there are c*ves in the limestone next to the bridge, though I've been led to believe they are further along to Britannia.