UK diving can be hit or miss, and this trip was both. A trip to Lundy at this time of year, exposed as it is to the Atlantic storms, was always going to be at the mercy of the weather. Originally planned as 3 day adventure staying on the island itself, due to a westerly gale we had to cancel all but the first day and remain on the mainland.Six of us decided that the draw of the seals was too strong to ignore, and we met at Ilfracombe harbour on Saturday morning with the threat of wind, rain, heavy seas, and sun all at once.
The skipper, Leigh, had just retired from 26 years in the RNLI and clearly knew his stuff, having expert knowledge of the seas around the Bristol Channel. I was in the wheelhouse leaving the quay and everything was just fine, and as soon as I went out to the deck we ploughed into the heavy swell just outside the harbour at a high speed. Suddenly - water everywhere (especially on me), kit was being thrown all over the boat, divers akimbo and the journey to Lundy was on.After an hour and a half of the wildest, wettest ride any of us had ever experienced, we arrived grinning from ear to ear at the first site - the MV Robert.
A 50m merchant ship carrying coal dust, she sank in 1975 and now lies in 26m of water on her starboard side, intact with her hatches open and her hold exposed. The visibility was superb giving us a view of the whole ship, and we could penetrate deep into the holds to check out the junior congers and sealife living on her bottom planks. Robert, the enormous resident lobster, guarded the stern warily.
After a sunny surface interval, it was time to go and visit the seals at Gannet's Bay. At this time of year the young cubs are now essentially seal teenagers, and love to come and investigate those weird bubbly floppy things that jump into their back garden. We were blessed with a half dozen playful, curious Seals, who swam all around us, played hide and seek, nibbled on our fins and legs, and in Mark's case, gave him a loving hug.
The visibility was again superb, and we were all thrilled.After the diving we all salvaged improvised holidays in Devon and Cornwall, enjoying the cream teas and pasties, not to mention high winds!It was, we all agree, very much worth travelling all that way to have an unforgettable diving experience even if only for one day. It highlighted how spectacular UK diving - and club diving with RSAC - can be. Despite the difficulties, we may well go again next year - perhaps a little earlier in the calendar, however...
