Lundy is a special place – an island about three miles long and half a mile wide stuck out in the Bristol Channel about 20 miles off the Devonshire coastline; surrounded on all sides by sea cliffs and a marine wildlife sanctuary; an important sea bird (inc. the eponymous puffin) breeding location; isolated with no cars, bikes, etc., just feet for transport; and a lovely peaceful olde-worlde vibe. So we were quite excited about our fourth climbing trip to the island. However, we had a 90th birthday party to attend in Derby on Saturday so we had no option but to miss the normal MS Oldenburg sailing to Lundy…
I’d sorted one fishermen and his boat to get us out on Sunday morning. But he cancelled the trip the day before, complaining about easterly winds! (Weird, all the other boats went out, we were there to see them return to harbour.) Anyhow, I found another boat with two seats available for Monday morning. The Wild Frontiers diving boat was a great and exciting way for us to get to Lundy. Also, it was faster and less sea-sick making than the Oldenburg (for those sensitive to the sea’s motion). It wasn’t even that expensive … the Oldenburg was Ā£44 one-way for our return journey, Wild Frontiers cost Ā£60, a total of Ā£104. An Oldenburg return ticket is Ā£85, so just Ā£19 extra, a price we were happy accept to allow us to get to that 90th birthday party! š
Of course when you arrive on Lundy there’s a steep walk up a rough track from the landing jetty. When travelling on the Oldenburg a landrover is there to take luggage (no people, unless you have poor mobility) to whatever accommodation you have booked. Luckily our friends Richard and Jo were there on the jetty to meet us and help carry our bags up to Millcombe House.
There was no rush to climb. The tides during our week had low tide, which is needed to access the base of many of Lundy’s cliffs, well in to the afternoon. So after a cup of tea and a bit of settling in we set off to Beaufort Buttress for our first day on the rocks. The picture at the top shows us headed home with the sun not far from setting over the Atlantic. š
One of the people staying in Millcombe House was only there until Tuesday. However, Tuesday was the only poor weather day of the week. But it was really poor! Not that wet, just really windy. Maybe that easterly wind my fisherman had cried-off for had come back for vengeance? The Oldenburg failed to dock! It even smashed in to the jetty while trying causing quite some considerable damage to its superstructure!
Wednesday though was much nicer – wall to wall sunshine. The Oldenburg arrived a day late, Chris went home, and Simon arrived to take his bed place.
We had a great day climbing at Threequater Buttress. Nonexpectis Jugsimisius in particular is a brilliant route. š
Despite her frustrated attempt to swim at The Pyramid on Tuesday, Laetitia was determined to get some swimming in to the agenda. Hopefully with some inquisitive seals in the mix. She was successful. She even got Jo and Mick in on the act on one occasion…
On my first trip to Lundy I recalled The Indy 500 and Formula 1 being two of the best routes of that week. Formula 1 has since fallen down under relentless pounding by the sea. However, The Indy 500 is still there and Richard and I enjoyed this brilliant Landing Craft Bay route in glorious sunshine…
Jigsawing, the harder the better, has become a bit of a standard diversion from poor weather for us. In fact the trend started on Lundy in 2011. Tuesday’s poor weather gave us the opportunity to start what is likely the hardest jigsaw I’ve ever seen. Well over half of the pieces were entirely the same uniform pale blue sea colour. There was no way to place pieces other than to offer each one up in turn to see if it physically fitted the next! Needless to say, even with G&T liquid motivation, we failed to complete this puzzle. š
Another diversionary activity that Lundy introduced us to is letterboxing. The weather was far too good for any of that shenanigans this time around. But it is recommended as great fun and a brilliant way to explore almost every corner of the island…
Rachel and Andy were also on the island for the week. We had several fun evenings enjoying a pint of two in the Marisco Tavern with them after climbing, and one meal where everyone came together to help celebrate Greg’s birthday! But as they were staying in one of the Castle apartments separate from us we failed to rendezvous with them for any climbing. š But I did recognise their backpacks at the top of the Landing Craft Bay abseil. So at least they’d made good use of my static rope, and were also down there somewhere climbing at the same time as Richard and I. š
On our final day the Oldenburg was due to leave at 4pm, with us due on the jetty at 3pm. Easily late enough for a bit of climbing in the morning. But way too early for the tide to have gone out to permit access to most cliffs, especially those that interested us. Compounding the problem was the fact that our abseil rope was now packed and on its way down the track in the landrover I mention above. So, we selected the Flying Buttress below The Battery for our last bit of climbing for the week.
And as our very last activity (after a cream tea at the Marisco Tavern) we took a stroll over to the Montagu Steps…
The Millcombe House gang of 2022
