 RAF rescue skilfully dropping crew member on to the pitching deck Last September, Simon kayaked and I swam with seals. This time we arrived at the perfect time to see Jenny's cove, seabird city, packed with seabirds. Since the eradication of rats on the island, seabird numbers have really taken off - particularly the eerie-sounding shearwaters and comical puffins. As always, we were brilliantly looked after by Jerry & the crew of the Oldenburg, Beccy & the conservation team, outdoor & maintenance, the Tavern staff and housekeeping. (Actually if you stay in the lodge, you get to make the bed for the next visitor.) On Lundy that’s bound to be someone fascinating and in my case it was someone with a job I will covet (in a few years time) Landmark librarian. Job description: touring all the properties to renew their books! Big thank you to the team, too numerous to mention here, together they are such a great team and as so often on an island most manage to hold down several different roles. | Roughly eight months after we dramatically lost a camera over the cliff, Simon and I returned to Lundy to complete our little film. I'm not giving much of the story away because I don't want to spoil the film -but a big thank you to Lundy for welcoming us back again for Take 2! It was a rough crossing this time so not everyone enjoyed watching our surprise visitor (left.)Totally amazing to see the skill of winchman and pilot as they safely landed their crew member on to the platform of a wildly pitching ship – perfect training for tough conditions. We were met off the Oldenburg by Beccy (warden), Jonny (outdoor assistant) & Mike (cargo coordinator) and had one and a half glorious sunny days to race around the island filming Beccy & others at work and seabirds and seals! An easterly wind meant not as many seals as we hoped, but forewarned, Beccy knew where to find some.  Lundy's 'iconic' grey seals |
 Beccy monitoring seabird populations & Simon filming |  MS Oldenburg heading back to Ilfracombe |
 Not an elusive person - the new Anthony Gormley sculpture  puffins - one of Lundy's success stories  little soay lamb | It’s the beginning of the busy season but most of my photographs are empty of people. This wasn’t by choice. I was looking for visitors to film – and was struck by how few I met were from North Devon. Lundy's a tiny island, but it has so many nooks and crannies it’s easy to get away and think you’ve got it to yourself. On most days, at least until the school holidays, the Oldenburg has spare seats. If you hear a good forecast, you can check the information line 01271 863636 and turn up on the morning she sails to get seats. Why not treat yourself? Lovely quote from Beccy which probably won't make the film: 'Lundy has a very special place in many people's hearts. It seems to be a place that once you visit you really want to keep coming back. It gets under your skin, people adopt it -it becomes their island, they become Lundyites. It's common that people come over for a day trip and we'll see them again and a few months later they come and stay'. You have been warned! Thanks also to lovely and enthusiastic cameraman, Simon Vacher. He wasn’t seasick, we didn’t lose any kit. He had fun playing with his new camera and long lens. Fingers crossed, if I can get it down to five minutes, we will have a great little film for you –coming soon. |
Simon Vacher at work on Lundy
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