Lundy Island & N.Devon June 2023
A Weekend in North Devon celebrating Shirley Coopers birthday. Present were Shirley Cooper, Julian Cooper, Timothy Cooper, Harvey Cooper, Paul Adams, Clare Adams, William Adams, Thomas Adams, & Hannah Cook
Above: The East face of Lundy Island. Below: An early morning view from Hillsborough down to The Harbour, Lantern Hill, Capstone Hill and the edge of the Torrs in the background
Above: Tim pausing on his early morning trek up to the summit of Hilsborough. Below: The MS Oldenburg in dock prior to her morning sailing to Lundy Island.
Two above: Rapperee Cove where the ship London sank in 1796 with great loss of life. A gold coin from this ship wreck was found on the beach in 1978
Above: Tim and myself playing on the beach at Rapperee Cove in 1978 instead of treasure hunting.
Below: The view from Rapperee out to sea.
Above: Tim and myself playing on the beach at Rapperee Cove in 1978 instead of treasure hunting.
Below: The view from Rapperee out to sea.
Above: A view from midway up Hillsborough Below: A view from the summit of Hillsborough back down over Ilfracombe.
Above: Its just before 6am on 17th June 2023 and the view behind us of Ilfracombe from the top of Hillsborough
Below: The same shot 45 years previous taken by our father David Cooper who was born in Ilfracombe in 1936
Below: The same shot 45 years previous taken by our father David Cooper who was born in Ilfracombe in 1936
Two Above: On our way down from Hillsborough we stop by the home of our Great Grandparents (Cooper) on Meridian Place.
Above: Before we head for breakfast, Tim's having a quick dip at 7:45am in the sea at Wildersmouth
Below: Rejuvenated! Bring on the trip to Lundy Island!
Above: Before we head for breakfast, Tim's having a quick dip at 7:45am in the sea at Wildersmouth
Below: Rejuvenated! Bring on the trip to Lundy Island!
Two Above: Shirley has come to the Quayside to wave us all off. The Flag on Lantern Hill behind tells you we're set for a calm crossing
Above: I finally return the first day cover stamps to Tom from our previous visit to the Island.
Below: Were at sea on MS Odlenburg, it's just gone 10am, Harvey is down below deck whilst myself, Will, Tom, Paul and Tim enjoy what may have been our last soft drink of the day.
Above: I finally return the first day cover stamps to Tom from our previous visit to the Island.
Below: Were at sea on MS Odlenburg, it's just gone 10am, Harvey is down below deck whilst myself, Will, Tom, Paul and Tim enjoy what may have been our last soft drink of the day.
Two Above: We've disembarked and Harvey is surveying the surroundings from the fore shore:
Above: As we ascend the island we find the only spot where you can get a framed view of the east coast line of Lundy. If these weren't here the moon and Lundy would have the same number of trees.
Below: Feeling it! The steep climb up to the surface of Lundy Island. Tim and Harvey setting the pace! The boys from the Fens aren't used to these slopes.
Above: As we ascend the island we find the only spot where you can get a framed view of the east coast line of Lundy. If these weren't here the moon and Lundy would have the same number of trees.
Below: Feeling it! The steep climb up to the surface of Lundy Island. Tim and Harvey setting the pace! The boys from the Fens aren't used to these slopes.
Above: With St helens church here behind us we are making our way to The OId Lighthouse
Below: We've climbed the steep spiral staircase and Harvey and I sit in the two deckchairs that are now in place instead of the lamp that protected passing ships.
Two Below: Tim's view looking south when he stood up.
Below: We've climbed the steep spiral staircase and Harvey and I sit in the two deckchairs that are now in place instead of the lamp that protected passing ships.
Two Below: Tim's view looking south when he stood up.
Above: A lovely spot to take a breather and soak up the view
Below: Tom, Tim, Harvey and Paul soaking up said view
Two Below: Paul and Will climb a top the Granite cliff top to look back on the rest of us lazing in the sunshine.
Below: Tom, Tim, Harvey and Paul soaking up said view
Two Below: Paul and Will climb a top the Granite cliff top to look back on the rest of us lazing in the sunshine.
Above: A Pony on Lundy Island(They will bite you)
Below: Everyone headed to the pub, I however was determined to push on to Jenny's Cove (The viewpoint you can see someone in the distance.) to try and see some Puffins. Now to get past the fissure in the island caused some geologists think by the great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. It is more likely, however, to be the result of mining or possibly of earlier tectonic activity..
Two Below: I make the viewpoint and search for Puffins. There's plenty of Guillemots. Very few Puffins. It's just that little late in the season.
Below: Everyone headed to the pub, I however was determined to push on to Jenny's Cove (The viewpoint you can see someone in the distance.) to try and see some Puffins. Now to get past the fissure in the island caused some geologists think by the great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. It is more likely, however, to be the result of mining or possibly of earlier tectonic activity..
Two Below: I make the viewpoint and search for Puffins. There's plenty of Guillemots. Very few Puffins. It's just that little late in the season.
Above: Time to turn round and go find the others.
Below: Found the others enjoying a lovely pint of Kornish Lager in the Marisco Tavern
Below: Found the others enjoying a lovely pint of Kornish Lager in the Marisco Tavern
Above: It's time to leave and head back to the boat. I think you could stay in there long enough that you wouldn't get back out of this tiny pub doorway.
Below: Harvey nearly filling the door frame of The Marisco Tavern.
Two Below: Paul and Tim were definitely leaving the tavern in single file.
Below: Harvey nearly filling the door frame of The Marisco Tavern.
Two Below: Paul and Tim were definitely leaving the tavern in single file.
Above: Harvey outside St Helens.
Above and Below: We're all finding that the descent is easier than the climb.
Above: The MS Oldenburg is where we left her ready for our journey back to Ilfracombe.
Below: A couple of smugglers if I ever saw one.
Below: A couple of smugglers if I ever saw one.
Above: Harvey looks to consider his options and may make his own way back across 20 miles of some of the worlds most dangerous waters.
Below: Thankfully Harvey and the rest of us are all safely aboard
Two Below: Ready to say goodbye to Lundy island until the next time.
Below: Thankfully Harvey and the rest of us are all safely aboard
Two Below: Ready to say goodbye to Lundy island until the next time.
Two Above: We round Capstone Hill looking at Wildersmouth Beach thinking that some of us are ready for another swim.
Above: We've docked and I check Ilfracombes Harbour webcam to see if I can spot us on the deck of MS Oldenburg (I cant!)
Below: Back on the mainland. Paul enjoys some Cockles on the wall of Ilfracombe Harbour.
Two Below: Harvey enjoys an ice-cream on the wall. (That lad does love an ice-cream.)
Above: We've docked and I check Ilfracombes Harbour webcam to see if I can spot us on the deck of MS Oldenburg (I cant!)
Below: Back on the mainland. Paul enjoys some Cockles on the wall of Ilfracombe Harbour.
Two Below: Harvey enjoys an ice-cream on the wall. (That lad does love an ice-cream.)
Above: Having gone separate ways after our trip to get ready for dinner and celebrating Shirley's birthday, We stop for another swim. Tim and Harvey having a great time
Below: Harvey skimming stones whilst his dad looks on displaying what can only be described as a top tip for keeping your t-shirt dry whilst wearing wet shorts. The towel worn sarong stylee!
Below: Harvey skimming stones whilst his dad looks on displaying what can only be described as a top tip for keeping your t-shirt dry whilst wearing wet shorts. The towel worn sarong stylee!
Above: Enjoying a lovely evening at The Italian Restaurant "Giovanni & Luca" celebrating Shirley's birthday. Chicken with Gorgonzolla for Clare and myself! Shirley; Sea Bass and Mussels, Tim, Harvey, Paul had Steaks, Pizza and Pasta for Tom Wi l& Hannah. Great food & smashing company. The wine was flowing!
Below: Quelle Surprise!
Two Below: Happy Birthday Dear Shirley.
Below: Quelle Surprise!
Two Below: Happy Birthday Dear Shirley.
Above: Sunday morning and we all meet at "The Tunnels" Beach entrance.
Below: The beautiful sea water bathing pool at The Tunnels, Ilfracombe
Two Below: Clare, Shirley, Tim, Harvey, Tom, Will, Paul, Hannah and the two dogs, Charlie and George.
Below: The beautiful sea water bathing pool at The Tunnels, Ilfracombe
Two Below: Clare, Shirley, Tim, Harvey, Tom, Will, Paul, Hannah and the two dogs, Charlie and George.
Above: My favourite photograph from the weekend.
Below: Harvey doing more skimming.
Two Below: Harvey testing the water. It was decided that it was warm enough for another swim.
Below: Harvey doing more skimming.
Two Below: Harvey testing the water. It was decided that it was warm enough for another swim.
Two above: Call International Rescue! Person seen struggling traversing rocks
Above: International Rescue in attendance.
Below: Saved! Job well done!
Above: International Rescue in attendance.
Below: Saved! Job well done!
Above: Nana Shirley and Thomas
Below: And it's time to say good-bye to Ilfracombe until the next time and what better way than with the famous Hockings Ice-cream on the Promenade. Shirley has been enjoying these for a fair few decades. Remember to ask for clotted cream on top. (I forgot)
Below: And it's time to say good-bye to Ilfracombe until the next time and what better way than with the famous Hockings Ice-cream on the Promenade. Shirley has been enjoying these for a fair few decades. Remember to ask for clotted cream on top. (I forgot)
Below: We call into Chittlehampton and visit the Church of St Heiritha where a Saint is buried. The local area having suffered drought, blamed Heiritha (sometimes known as Ulrith) She was murdered by beheading (Farmworkers with their scythes.) And where she fell a spring of fresh water sprung from the ground. One of the few churches in the country to escape the reformation of Henry VIII. The well is blessed every year on July 8th.
Two Below: The Entrance to St Heiritha's Church
Two Below: The Entrance to St Heiritha's Church
Below: The resting place in the graveyard of St Heiritha's of mine and Tim's Great Grandparents & Harvey's Great, Great Grandparents. John & Ellen Hobbs
Above: John Hobbs and his wife Ellen in their homes doorway in Chittlehampton 1910 approx
Below: Tim outside our Great Grandparents house. 18th June 2023. Happy Fathers day.
Below: Tim outside our Great Grandparents house. 18th June 2023. Happy Fathers day.
