Lundy '12

Day 2 - Sat 16 June 2012

Ilfracombe - Lundy

Up at 08:00, collected packed lunch from the dining room and walked down to the Lundy Shore Office. Sure enough the crossing has been cancelled, so we're checked in for a helicopter trip. It can only handle seven people at one go, so my name is down for flight number seven. The weather is quite wet so wait in the aquariums tea shop. A coach arrives at 10:30 and bundle aboard. Off we head to Hartland Point, the journey starts off on main roads, but then as it progresses the roads get thinner and thinner.

Arrive at the heliport which is no more than a portakabin and a wind sock. People are called forward seven at a time. I wander off down the road and find two little women in a shack selling teas, cakes and pasties. Seemed rude not to purchase something! Back up to the portakabin and soon get called forward, I've had a chat with the bloke before hand and manage to blag the co-pilots seat! Have a quick chat with the pilot and seems the call sign is G-TELY I ask if he does a lot of TV work! Yes is the answer the helicopter on the current BBC1 idents is this very one, and most of "Coast" was filmed by this helicopter. Although the weather is blowing a gale, the take off, flight and landing is really very smooth. Entire flight time? Six minutes, verses two hours on the boat. Mind you Hartland point is closer, and it took the coach an hour to get from Ilfracombe to the heliport.

G-TELY

Jumped out, headed for the office, room isn't ready, so headed to shop to buy provisions. Dumped shopping outside, and took a stroll down the the jetty, mainly as that side of the island was a little more sheltered from the wind. The waves where really crashing into rat island.

Climbed up the steep dangerous path to the south lighthouse, had a poke around, and came back down the easy steps. Saw some goats on the way back.

Old House North is ready, so move in and unpack. Chill out until seven, and head next door to the pub for supper.

Because of the windy weather some of the people who were supposed to be camping have ended up in the church on put up beds and inflatable mattresses! Before the ship shuts purchase some coal for the stove! Light it before heading our to the pub for supper.

Unpack a jigsaw that's supplied with the house and start trying to put it all together...