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Sep. 5th, 2013
Yesterday I got up at some wretched hour. It was wretched because I had had trouble sleeping. But the upside to this wretchedness was the fact that I was going somewhere interesting. I met up with my sister in law at the cross, (along with my nephew) and we headed to Clovelly and met up with more relations. (namely our Mother in law, her sister, her sister's husband, and her sister's middle son.) We stood around on the quay until our boat arrived, and we were off! Off to Lundy Island. I have been trying to go to Lundy for like 10 years. Every single time I have attempted to go there, the weather went to pieces, thus making it impossible to do the crossing. The Bristol channel is tricky and there are loads of shipwrecks that have happened over the years.
But today was the day. As we went out (the boat ride is about an hour long.) we saw a couple of dolphins leaping and diving, which was nice. It was pretty spectacular. The rest of the journey was pretty calm, though the waters were slightly rough as we got closer to the island. We reached the end of the jetty and had to climb up a wet ladder to get onto the jetty. (low tide.) It was quiet and slightly overcast but still lovely. We walked up this meandering path that goes to the top of the island. Along the path there is a cave in the cliff-side and it was deep and filled with spider nest -so a fun time if you like that kind of thing.
You can see the occasional holiday home here and there, and the remains of an old walled garden. (owned by the Heaven family which once owned the island. Bought as a summer retreat. Talk about a bunch of fancy-pants.) We walked along the path and examined the church which was built in the late 19th century. It was quite the church for a place which had a small population. There had been the grand hope that one day with the efforts of new business, there might be an influx of people. It was not meant to be. We passed through the area with the pub, the shop, and the museum and headed towards the lighthouse. Inside there was a man hanging about playing a resonator guitar. The acoustics in the light-house seemed ideal for him, though it was nearly deafening at times. We climbed the winding stair-case that became more and more steep the higher we went, and found ourselves with a beautiful clear view at the top. The sun had come out, so it turned the top of the light-house into a sauna. There was a bird who was stuck up there and there wasn't a way to let it out at the top. It was kind of anxious-making because the bird was reaching the end of its tether but after awhile it followed us as we went down and made its way out. We began to walk north. The island is three miles long and about half a mile wide so it is pretty easy to wander around. There is a small air-field for small craft like microlighters. We saw one that was parked near a tent. If you want to camp on the island, there is an official spot to put your tent.
We saw ruins, feral goats, neolithic sheep, (soay sheep, which can also be found in the Hebrides...and on the Olympic Peninsula where I grew up.) and all kinds of unusual rock formations. Here and there we ran into people on walks. After awhile we took a right across the vast and tree-less heath and made our way towards the remains of a german bomber that crashed during WWII. A couple of them crashed and most survived and were taken prisoner. A better place to spend the war, then finding yourself in the ocean. We then came across the Lundy ponies, and some highland cattle. They were congregated around a swimming hole near the ruins of the old hospital. The animals are known for being incredibly hardy since they mostly fend for themselves. Yet they are also very friendly and calm around people.
Then it was time for lunch in the pub. I suggest their lamb burger. The general theme of the place was "hey a shipwreck happened near here." And there were all these life preservers from a TON of wrecked ships. Each preserver had the shipwreck date. A nice macabre approach to decorating. My dining companions told me the pasties were also good. We were fed, our feet felt a bit rested, and we continued to walk. We looked at the old castle -which had been done up as holiday flats. This irritated my nephew as he felt that it would be better if one could wander around the castle. My husband's Uncle and cousin decided to go and hang out on the beach for awhile. (they ended up watching seals for an hour or two.) We continued along a cliff path and took in the views. Eventually my sister in law, my nephew and I went back to the pub to get something to drink, and we ended up having cake as well. I can tell you that the chocolate cake is moist and everything you might need in the afternoon. The pub also has a little library. Booze and books, that is a good combination. We lost my Mother in law and her sister, but we figured they would find their way back to the jetty. They ended up in the small museum. We sauntered back to the jetty, climbed around the beach a bit in search of shells and beach glass. Then it was time to set off for home. The owner of the boat had a good day of fishing and was giving away mackerel and pollock. It was cleaned and everything. I was completely worn by the end. We had to climb up the hill to the parking lot, before heading home. My toes are still angry at me today.
Lundy lived up to my expectations, and it was a beautiful day out with fun people.
Full set of pictures
But today was the day. As we went out (the boat ride is about an hour long.) we saw a couple of dolphins leaping and diving, which was nice. It was pretty spectacular. The rest of the journey was pretty calm, though the waters were slightly rough as we got closer to the island. We reached the end of the jetty and had to climb up a wet ladder to get onto the jetty. (low tide.) It was quiet and slightly overcast but still lovely. We walked up this meandering path that goes to the top of the island. Along the path there is a cave in the cliff-side and it was deep and filled with spider nest -so a fun time if you like that kind of thing.
You can see the occasional holiday home here and there, and the remains of an old walled garden. (owned by the Heaven family which once owned the island. Bought as a summer retreat. Talk about a bunch of fancy-pants.) We walked along the path and examined the church which was built in the late 19th century. It was quite the church for a place which had a small population. There had been the grand hope that one day with the efforts of new business, there might be an influx of people. It was not meant to be. We passed through the area with the pub, the shop, and the museum and headed towards the lighthouse. Inside there was a man hanging about playing a resonator guitar. The acoustics in the light-house seemed ideal for him, though it was nearly deafening at times. We climbed the winding stair-case that became more and more steep the higher we went, and found ourselves with a beautiful clear view at the top. The sun had come out, so it turned the top of the light-house into a sauna. There was a bird who was stuck up there and there wasn't a way to let it out at the top. It was kind of anxious-making because the bird was reaching the end of its tether but after awhile it followed us as we went down and made its way out. We began to walk north. The island is three miles long and about half a mile wide so it is pretty easy to wander around. There is a small air-field for small craft like microlighters. We saw one that was parked near a tent. If you want to camp on the island, there is an official spot to put your tent.
We saw ruins, feral goats, neolithic sheep, (soay sheep, which can also be found in the Hebrides...and on the Olympic Peninsula where I grew up.) and all kinds of unusual rock formations. Here and there we ran into people on walks. After awhile we took a right across the vast and tree-less heath and made our way towards the remains of a german bomber that crashed during WWII. A couple of them crashed and most survived and were taken prisoner. A better place to spend the war, then finding yourself in the ocean. We then came across the Lundy ponies, and some highland cattle. They were congregated around a swimming hole near the ruins of the old hospital. The animals are known for being incredibly hardy since they mostly fend for themselves. Yet they are also very friendly and calm around people.
Then it was time for lunch in the pub. I suggest their lamb burger. The general theme of the place was "hey a shipwreck happened near here." And there were all these life preservers from a TON of wrecked ships. Each preserver had the shipwreck date. A nice macabre approach to decorating. My dining companions told me the pasties were also good. We were fed, our feet felt a bit rested, and we continued to walk. We looked at the old castle -which had been done up as holiday flats. This irritated my nephew as he felt that it would be better if one could wander around the castle. My husband's Uncle and cousin decided to go and hang out on the beach for awhile. (they ended up watching seals for an hour or two.) We continued along a cliff path and took in the views. Eventually my sister in law, my nephew and I went back to the pub to get something to drink, and we ended up having cake as well. I can tell you that the chocolate cake is moist and everything you might need in the afternoon. The pub also has a little library. Booze and books, that is a good combination. We lost my Mother in law and her sister, but we figured they would find their way back to the jetty. They ended up in the small museum. We sauntered back to the jetty, climbed around the beach a bit in search of shells and beach glass. Then it was time to set off for home. The owner of the boat had a good day of fishing and was giving away mackerel and pollock. It was cleaned and everything. I was completely worn by the end. We had to climb up the hill to the parking lot, before heading home. My toes are still angry at me today.
Lundy lived up to my expectations, and it was a beautiful day out with fun people.
Full set of pictures