A flight around the Isle of Anglesey

The wife bought me a flight around Anglesey as a Christmas present and today was the day.

The flight was terrific, I'd highly recommend it to anyone.

We had good news and bad news though. It was pretty hazy so we decided Snowdonia wasn't a great idea and the Cessna I should have flown in was out of action - a Piper was the alternative (no opening windows).

The good news was the haze on Anglesey wasn't nearly as bad and the Piper had room for a passenger so the wife took the trip too

Anyway to get to the photos - all taken through perspex unfortunately as the windows on the Piper didn't open, at least the perspex was very very clean

Caernarfon Castle
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP1803_nosharp.jpg[/IMG]

The Radio 1 Big Weekend on the Vaynol estate
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP1806_nosharp.jpg[/IMG]

Beaumaris Castle
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP1810_nosharp.jpg[/IMG]

Penmon lighthouse
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP1814_nosharp.jpg[/IMG]

South Stack lighthouse
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP1866_nosharp.jpg[/IMG]

Llanddwyn Island
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP1887_nosharp.jpg[/IMG]

What a fantastic present - I have hinted loudly to my hubby and he is well impressed with your shots - my fav is the Penmon lighthouse. If you could choose the perfect conditions for the flight to get the best images - what would they be?

+1 for Penmon lighthouse.

To be honest I'm planning on going back and doing the Snowdonia route, in summer I'd say early morning is the best bet, before the haze builds. Personally though I'm thinking that a late evening in September/October would be pretty good for Snowdonia (& Anglesey too no doubt).

You've two options with flights...Caernarfon or Mona Flying Club on Anglesey (who I used), it's worth talking to both - it's worth asking if they have a plane with windows that open to avoid the risk of dodgy perspex (I was lucky I think)

Simon

Excellent set of images.

really lovely set of pics - would actually make good travel posters

The coastal shots and the one of Beaumaris Castle are superb Simon, esp. given they are through perspex.

Excellent set of images looks like you were lucky with both the windows and the haze!

Hello,


Wow pics of this places looks very good. you took very good shoot. i like the tower pic it looks really very good.



thanks!!


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Hi,
I`m pleased you enjoyed your flight! You have got some fantastic shots there! But where`s the one of my house!!!


Regards - Pete

Thanks everyone, it's a bonus to get some shots as well as the great trip.

Pete....thanks for your advice, it made a big difference. I used TAV mode to keep the shutter speed at 1/800 and aperture at F5.6 (mostly). Unfortunately a few shots needed a bit more DOF which I forgot to change - lesson learnt for next time !! Sorry about missing the house too

It's certainly "seat of your pants" photography, no time to contemplate things like I have with my landscapes

Simon

Hi Simon,
I`m glad it was of some use! The Cessna was back in action today but it was quite hazy everywhere especially around the Anglesey coast due to some mist rolling in, Though by the time of you`r flight in the afternoon it would probably have cleared a bit, Snowdon is looking lovely at the moment with a warm evening glow on it and no cloud. I usually peek at the Snowdon web cam if i am heading off that way as it points towards Snowdon from the opposite side from where i live.
Incidentally you`r wife could still have gone in the Cessna as it too has 4 seats but it would have been rather draughty with your window open!!!
Yes you do have to think fast, I know the place like the back of my hand yet still i get caught napping and miss something! Sorry you`r DOF was lacking in some shots, Were you using the full 300mm on some?
Best Regards - Pete.

The wife will be pleased to here there's another space in the Cessna, I'd definitely go with Mona Flying Club again, they actually didn't charge any extra for the wife to fly too - looking on the Caernarfon Airport website they seem a bit keener on the financial side of things.

Most of my shots were between 55 - 100mm, I just had a couple around 210mm. The DOF problems were on the shots where the view was pretty much sideways on so lots to get in the frame - I'll be more aware of it next time

I hope that not too many shot`s were affected, Could it be possible that it is the perspex window rather than the lens causing it. I have had several images where that has been the case when shooting through perspex.
You are right, Mona Club are a bit more laid back in that respect! The only time i have been up with them was a flight around Anglesey in their Piper Arrow. Unfortunately i was in a rear seat on that occasion and was trying to shoot through badly scratched perspex. Lots of PP there! Still it was free and we did do a complete circuit of the island. All 125 miles in 1 hour!!!
I keep hankering over a microlight flight from Caernarfon, It won`t be easy getting shots wearing a visor, I might have to use the live view. Also the pilots head is only a few inches below you and the engine and prop just behind!!! I will get around to it one day.

Regards - Pete

That's exactly what we did Pete, same plane I'm sure, the wife was in the back though and the front windows were pretty good. We just missed out the end section of Abermenai point, pretty much covered the rest. the pilot did a nice 360 around Penmon, hence the perspective on the shot - the Gyro wasn't too happy though

Simon