Lundy

by Peter Harvey

In a summer of indifferent and sometimes stormy weather one still hopes that the weather will break for you and the dive trip planned a year before will not be cancelled. With a week to go before our trip the news came about the devastating flood at Boscastle!! ‘Oh well looks like the trip might be off!’

But never fear Mansell’s here, ‘ We have the all clear from the skipper we are on our way’.

Dawn and Kev travelled down from Cambridge using the M25, M4, M5 etc whilst Mike, Andrew, Jenny and Harve decided to opt for the Stonehenge tourist route. In addition to a glimpse of a symbol of our heritage we were able to enjoy a splendid lunch at The Black Dog, nicely off the beaten track which was a good start to the weekends’ food indulgence. The remaining journey to Torrington was only marred by a slight road blockage caused by a jack-knifed lorry.

If Keven’s planning can be at all criticised it was to fail to pinpoint the location of the B&B in Torrington but we all eventually arrived safely to be welcomed by the land-lady, Tracey, and a Devon cream tea (more food). Now Tracey, there’s a strapping woman! Rides a Shire-cross horse! Who is going to broach the subject about an early start? Well done dive marshall.

Digs were good value and the local pub ‘The Cider Press’ served good food and beer. More indulgence and we haven’t dived yet.

We were due at Clovelly harbour at 8am so a 6.45 breakfast was required and we ‘enjoyed’ our first breakfast served with as it turned out the inevitable burnt toast. Who is going to tell her?

The route from Torrington to Clovelly took us through Bideford, at least that was what Kev’s sat-nav was telling him, where we picked up some food and drink for the days excursion. Now Clovelly harbour is very quaint and very small and parking space is at a premium. This was the reason for the early start nothing at all to do with slack!! Shepherded by the local car park attendant we quickly unloaded the cars that had to be parked up the hill and loaded ‘Jennifer Hettie’, our boat for the weekend.

Lundy!!
The journey out to Lundy was a little rough although the weather was very pleasant and promising for the day. It was a little disturbing also to see trees floating in the channel uprooted by the recent storm no doubt, a must to be avoided! The plan for the day was to spend some time with the seals, if they were there, and then to a dive on the Knoll Pins then to dive the Robert with the Iona nearby.

It had not long gone high water by the time we had arrived at Gannett Cove so the seals were in the water when we arrived and moored up. They were very inquisitive as you would expect and fun to be in the water with. Film maker Kev got some excellent video footage particularly of one that got ‘friendly’ with Dawn.

After a little lunch and a cuppa we were off to dive the Knoll Pins. There was still a quite a run so we had to get into the lea of the pinnacles. This site is part of a marine reserve descending down to about 35m so no picking, collecting just looking. Sadly the visibility was not great, a result of the recent storms in the area very pleasant all the same.

On the short distance back to the quiet haven of Gannett Cove the skipper caught some mackerel on a multi-hook hand line (outside the no-take zone!). The fish was subsequently prepared and cooked on board and was very enjoyable. We next dived the MV Robert. This is a coaster that went down in 1975 and is the only intact wreck of the Island. It is on its side in about 25metres with the bow section consisting of the superstructure and accommodation and the mid and forward sections offer a large open hold area. Nearby is the wreck of the SS Iona II sunk in 1864 for which you require a licence to dive as it is a protected wreck. The Iona was a paddle steamer and it is speculated that she may have been carrying arms for the Confederacy in America.

After a pleasant dive we returned to Clovelly. We off-loaded our spent cylinders for a re-charge onto a local dive boat and then proceeded to shore in relays in a squidgy as Clovelly harbour becomes quite dry at low tide. We had been advised that the weather looked dodgy for Sunday but cross fingers it may all end well. After struggling up the hill to the cars we made our way back to the digs. We had to hurry to get to the Cider Press where we had booked for dinner. More food and beer!

We were up for an early breakfast again. This time it was at Tracey’s instigation as she had to be off to Exeter to perform on her horse so no problem. After our serving of burnt toast we made our way to Clovelly to be told that the days diving was off! Bugger! The weather was promising 6/7’s and not a great deal of protection. So another days diving bites the dust.

However, as you do on all dive trips you make the most of it and look for other entertainment. After packing up we decided to become Clovelly tourists a treat for those who had never been before, very picturesque. We partook of lunch in a pub called The Hoop near Clovelly which was delightful. The decision now was what next? The weather as looking decidedly darker! So off to the cinema in Barnstable to see Shrek 2. Excellent, made even more amusing by Mike Smith who obviously enjoyed all the kids bits as well as the adult humour, typical granddad!

In the evening we decided to walk in the dark country lanes to the pub where it was a competition as to who had the biggest torch. Andrew showing off again!

Next morning after a relatively late start to the day we had our last offering of burnt toast for breakfast and started on our way home. A very pleasant weekend not spoilt too much by the cancelled days diving.

In conclusion I think we found Lundy a very promising, interesting dive location made more so by the real beauty of the area. As always you are at the mercy of the weather. Local advice tells us that the best time to dive Lundy would be July.
 
Picture by Andy Fulford

Billericay Sub Aqua Club

England SW main page