Lundy Trip - 20-23rd June

[ishtar]

Camelot, Coracle and Carl's fishing boat 'Samson' sailed to Lundy last week, to carry out a few dives. Some pictures and a brief description below.

We arrived at the club late on Sunday and loaded up the boats. Monday morning was bright and sunny with light winds, as we readied ourselves for the 08:30 lock out

[ishtar]

Steve sailed Coracle single handed



I crewed for Huw on Camelot and Gareth crewed for Carl on Samson

[ishtar]

We motorsailed most of the way, in light Easterlies, occasionally getting enough wind for the crusing chutes

.

Late in the afternoon, the wind picked up, and veered to the South West, bringing a miserable drizzle in. The lads on Samson did a spot of fishing whilst Huw had another one of his now famous 'sand' moments aboard Camelot, as we waited for the tide to rise enough for us to reach our moorings in Ilfracombe harbour.



In fairness, it was I that ran Camelot aground, the weight of the diving gear adding a few cm to her draught. Fish and chips all round was followed by a few pints at Ilfracombe yacht club - points for those taking part in the challenge. Carl informed us that one of his filters had collapsed during the day, part of a bad batch it seemed.

[ishtar]

We were joined the following morning by Seamus and Darren, workmates of Huw and Carl, and self confessed fair weather boatmen. The Westerly F5-6 forecast must have been playing on their minds as we left Ilfracombe and headed West.

There were many arguments over the next couple of days as to whether the crossing was moderate or rough. I sailed with Steve aboard Coracle as we bashed through the waves, but, it seemed, we were having a much smoother crossing than Samson, who suffered another filter blockage. They held their nerve and we were soon picking up moorings in the flat calm moorings at Lundy Island.



Huw, Seamus and myself were the only ones who fancied a dive, and we did so on the 'Robert' a 50m coaster which capsized and sank in the early 1970s. A lovely dive, although the visibility was less than I'd hoped.

[ishtar]

Samson's engine cut out for a third time after the dive, and those of us with some experience of the matter recocnised the tell tale signals of the diesel bug in the black slime within the filter body. Steve had some treatment aboard Coracle and we administered that before heading ashore to the Marisco Tavern, but not before Seamus had added his mobile phone to the long list of items lost in Lundy's waters over the centuries!

One or two beers were then imbibed before we headed back to the boats in what seemed like half a gale of wind. When I climbed aboard Coracle, Steve informed me

'Tht shcider wus flippin luvverly. Hic.'

[ishtar]

We dived again the following morning, but the vis had worsened with the rough weather. We did have a seal follow us, and I spotted this tiny fish, living, it seemed, inside a jelly fish.



(Fish - top left)

In the afternoon we readied to leave, and by 18:00 we were off.

[ishtar]

For me, personally, the best sail this year then followed. A lovely downwind sail in a Westerly F5-6, Coracle and Camelot neck and neck as the sun slowly dipped

[ishtar]

We arrived at Ilfracombe after 22:00. With a 02:30 start, Steve and I retired as soon as we could, as some of the others set off in search of showers and food.



02:30. Steve and I quickly readied Coracle and set off, with just a foot or so under the hull as the tide ebbed. The forecast was F3-4, still Westerly, as we motored out into the cold and darkness. We were soon sailing East, under Genoa. As the sun came up, I headed below for an hour's kip, only to be rudely awakened a bit later as a large wave broke near us.



The biggest waves seemed to be in the middle of the channel, and, as we crossed to the Welsh side, near Aberthaw, things calmed down a lot.



Samson and Camelot had left a little later than us, but they soon joined us back on the pontoon. A lovely trip, enjoyed, I think by all, although for me, the sailing was better than the diving - I think the strong winds accounted for that.

THanks to Huw for organising it, Steve for his hospitality and Carl for taking the dive boat.

M.

[spidercrab]

What a great trip.

[Camelot]

The diving could have been better, but then the chances of perfect weather for trip planned months in advance are never good.
Looking forward to the next one now!

[sheila]

Sounds like a great trip. Fab pics as always.

[Romantica]

Brilliant trip
Moderate Mundy did us proud. !!!
The banter was unbelievable, as was the cider.
We also spotted the biggest pot noodles ever, on Lundy.
A real trip to remember and stunning sailing - Thanks to everyone for the good time & memories. I'm still smiling about some of the quotes and events.
Looking forward to doing it again
Special thanks to Martin for keeping me laughing the whole time ( even at 2:30 in the morning ) & thanks for the write up and photos.

[ishtar]

Schtum about the pot noodles. What happens on tour stays on tour. Some of us have missisis.

Huw, Steve, I have loads of other pics, I'll do a cd when I get a chance.

[ishtar]

My culinary skills are, of course, legendary on this forum, especially my pasta. Here's another picture from the Lundy trip, just myself and Steve enjoying a romantic dinner for two

[Matt]

Great account of the trip guys.

Matt