29.06.11 Padstow to Lundy Island

Date:- 29.06.11 Name: Morgen Crew: RD (Richard Dempster), Freddie From: Padstow To: Lundy Island Comments: Lundy Island is one of the highlights of the trip so far. Brilliant place

Wind Strength / direction: Force 3 Westerly Sea State: slight Distance: 40.08 nautical miles Time Taken: 8hrs 10mins

A five o’clock start in order to catch the tide and the Padstow Harbour gate. The wind was on the nose again but once we were out to sea and turning north I should have the wind on the beam. Quite a choppy sea in the morning but the swell was not big. Also quite a tricky river bar to get over but by leaving at this time there was plenty of water beneath us and although relatively cold it wasn’t a bad start.

I’ve said before that Padstow is a lovely little harbour and I was actually quite sorry to leave it behind. I could have stayed for longer just to explore all the little side streets etc. But I am very aware that I need to cover some mileage if I hope to Reach Scotland by August.

I didn’t raise any sails until I was past the various little rocks and islands which I think make the seas quite confused and choppy. But thankfully once out to sea the water seemed calmer and the day became progressively warmer and as the wind dropped it Backed to a southwesterly which meant I could get the cruising shute out. Yeehhh

It turned out to be a lovely cruising day and we made relatively good time. And once again we were in amongst dolphin. Brilliant. But very very hard to get good pictures. But got a few.

This was just a lovely trip where everything worked and the weather was kind for a change. Pulling in to Lundy was a little bit of an adventure as you pull in to the small but very beutifull cove you can pick a buoy up and then just float for the night. Which I did without any bother.

Outboard Engine off the bracket and on to the dinghy for a little trip ashore. A very steep climb up the cliff path around what can only be described as a stately home up a short path and in to a walled courtyard where the houses are located and more importantly the pub!

Walled Village

It turned out to be a very hard walk so by the time I arrived at the pub I was quite hot and sweaty. But the journey was well worth it fantastic views a lovely island and a real sense of being away from it all. Great. This was just what I thought it would be like, pulling in to small coves using the dinghy and fantastic views to boot.

Morgen moored to Buoy in Lundy

On the way to the pub you walk through a door in the wall with goats grazing above your head

And eventually you reach the pub

I expected to be the only person in the pub but was very mistaken as there is a roring trade going on. I introduced myself and bought a very deserved beer I thought after walking all the way up the cliff path. The locals couldn’t have been more friendly along with there good natured banter they found a lovely boxed set of information books about Lundy Island and asked if I could auction them for the charity which of course I agreed to. They then found a new ‘T’ shirt with Lundy Island and some post cards and some more postcards with Lundy stamps on them and asked me if I could auction them for the charity. So if anyone reading this comes up with any ideas for the goods please let me know. Otherwise I will auction all of the items on E-bay.

I was so taken aback by their good intentions I felt I couldn’t just have a beer and leave so I just had to stay and have something to eat as well. I had the Game stew which had all locally grown ingredients in it including Rabbit and Goat and Lamb. I asked if I needed chips to go with it as I have quite a large appetite but the barman said it was unlikely that I would need more. When it arrived it smelt gorgeous and was huge. It was served with half a baguette and in a soup bowl with the stew being a good four inches thick. One of the best meals I have ever tasted in my life. Utterly fantastic.  What a place. I will definitely be coming back here to visit.