We all met up for breakfast this morning, some more bleary eyed than others. We decided to take all the cars to the dock and drop off the luggage etc. We have brought extras like wine and herbs and spices etc, as we are unsure what we will find in the way of shops at Lundy. The drivers take their cars back to the hotel to park up for the week while the others guard the wine etc.

The M.S.Oldenburg leaves on time at 10.30am, we have been warned by the First Officer that the crossing will be moderate to rough, I think I will opt for the deck as faces are turning green all around us. Jennifer joins me, the ferry is rocking and dipping, we smoke and chat as the spray soaks us. Nick came up to join us  and announced that sick bags are being distributed and most passengers are using them at a great rate! We thanked him for his input and remain more determined to stay well away from the inside of the ferry, raining and spraying not withstanding - at least there is fresh air up here through the diesel fumes! Jennifer and I are still perfectly fine, our sea legs are marvelous thank you! {Sorry if people like us annoy you, but the only thing that we can't cope with are the folks upchucking below} Nick wandered between the members of the group, we hear that Andrew, Nina and Bernie seem to be coping too, the others are all ill.

We can see Lundy Island gradually getting larger as we approach it, by 12pm the sea is much calmer and by the time we dock the weather has improved. At 1pm we disembark - I am cadging a lift to the top in the land rover as my back is not good, the others begin the steep climb. The Lundy staff are unloading the luggage and putting it into a tractor drawn  trailer it will be brought to the various accommodations later.

Lundy meaning Puffin {an island with not a puffin in sight during our entire stay} has rather a chequered history, but is now owned and run by The Landmark Trust, who have restored many of the buildings and made the island habitable again. There are many lovely buildings which you can rent including the castle and one of the 3 lighthouses - people come back here year after year. Lundy has a pub, The Marisco Tavern and a shop, we will set up accounts at both, which is the done thing here, you just settle up before leaving. Lundy has no roads, the land rover takes us up the rough tracks from the man made harbour to the village 140metres above us. The rhododendrons are in bloom and look quite spectacular as we drive up the hill, the sun has appeared and the sea is sparkling far below us.

Our accommodation The Quarters is one of the most basic on the island - but it was a late booking, maybe we can try an older and prettier building next time? This place was built to accommodate the people who came to restore the original properties in the 70's. It consists of a humungous kitchen with the largest deepest sinks I have ever seen - I could bath in these! Through to a very large sitting cum dining room with plenty of seating. There is a bathroom next to that then another door leading out to the back, where we discover the bedrooms and shower rooms etc. are in a similar building behind. Yes this means we have to go out in the rain to go to bed at night from the living areas. There are 2 double bedrooms and 6 single {bedroom is an exaggeration as there is literally a bed and a cupboard in here} The floors are all wooden so the boys sound like a herd of elephants and some of the others are not much quieter! Our luggage appeared and eventually so did the wine - missing at first and I was greatly teased by the Landmark man who delivered the stuff and was told by me that the booze is missing. He threatened to add it to the pub stock but returned later grinning with the Penfolds in tow - a lovely fellow! Our quarters are between the shop and the pub, less than 5 minutes walk for either, not bad planning after all - we could be at the Admiralty Lookout which is 3 miles away! We adjourned to the pub for the evening for dinner and some of the  3 local ales which used to be brewed on the island, Old Light, Experience and Smooth. Experience is my favourite! We chatted to Cliff the man in charge of the bar about the merits of the beers etc. a lovely evening, I think we are going to enjoy a week of doing nothing much on an island.