This is a copy of the log book entry from my first ever visit to Lundy, in June 1995. This turned out to be the first of many visits, the most recent of which, in June 2008, was my 26th.
Saturday 3rd June

Arrived for this, my first visit to Lundy in a gale force wind and struggled up the hill to the Tavern - a most welcoming sight. Partook of delicious cheese and pickle sandwich and steaming hot tea before struggling on to cottage, having first waded through loads of slimy sheep and cow pats. Ventured out later to the shop where I spent £16 on food, by which time the mists had descended. The lighthouse was not to be seen again 'til morning.
Sunday 4th June

Woke up this morning, the sky was blue, the birds were singing and the flue was still rattling. Left early about 10 am and headed north towards the lighthouse via some of the west cliffs, which are certainly spectacular. Warm but very windy day. Eventually got to the north end and found a nice shady spot to watch the sea birds and eat lunch before climbing down to the lighthouse to look for seals and clambering back.

Monday 5th June

Another beautiful day with no wind. Made the most of it by wandering around the rhododendrons this morning, ended up walking all the way to Tibbetts where I saw a Sika deer grazing with about a dozen Soay rams. It saw me and took off at speed, leaping and bounding like a gazelle towards Quarterwall. Came back here for lunch, by now suffering from severe wind burn (my nose glows as red the lighthouse). After lunch walked down to the Battery and explored a bit of the south west headland.
Tuesday 6th June

Another beautiful day and fairly wind free. I was going to go out with Emma (the Nature Warden) and some of the others to walk to Jenny's Cove to try and see the puffins, but decided to go on my own instead. I'm glad I did because I'm just starting to get in the swing of being on my own and can't be bothered with a large group of people.

Saw plenty of gulls, both lesser and greater black backed, lapwings, ravens, guillemots and razorbills, but no puffins. They seem to be an endangered species here. Unfortunately islands like Lundy are also an endangered species. I'm really beginning to fall under its magical spell. The boat came in today with more day trippers and I felt very smug to be staying here. I walked up to rat island this afternoon and scrambled around on the beach looking at the rock pools. There were 3 seals in the bay bobbing up and down, watching me watching them. Spoke to some of the divers who are here doing an underwater survey and sat on the beach for half an hour enjoying the peace and quiet. It was wonderful to hear nothing but the lapping of the waves and the calls of the oystercatchers. Had to wake myself up to get back to the shop however, and got there just in time before trudging back to the cottage and cooking a nice tasty courgette and tomato omelette for dinner.
Wednesday 7th June

A wonderful day full of fantastic surprises. Woke up early this morning at 7.30 am to hear the pitter patter of rain on the window and the wind howling like a banshee down the flue. Lay in bed being lazy until my bladder became so full I could no longer ignore it. looked out of the window and couldn't even see Stoneycroft, the whole island was covered in fog. Stayed in this morning, wrapped up in front of the fire, attempting to read various books. By 11.30 am decided I had better rouse myself, so wandered down to the shop via the cowpat highway and bought my postcards, soup for lunch and double chocolate chip cookies (highly recommended). By the time I got to the village, the sun had pout in an appearance, the wind had stopped howling and as if by magic, the population of Lundy appeared wearing shorts and t shirts (and that was just the sheep).

Came back for lunch - hung my sopping wet socks out to dry and then decided to set off in search of the quarry beach. By now the sun was blazing, and there was not a cloud to be seen. Walked down the main road as far as the Quarterwall cottages, where I took the path down past the Felix Gade hut to the beach. If there is only one beach you visit while on Lundy then it really must be this one, there arte not enough superlatives to describe its beauty. It's a pretty steep trek down there, you need your mountain goat hooves on, but what an amazing reward when you get to the bottom. Rows of smooth white boulders covered in kelp and the waves crashing. The sun beating down and the gulls flying around, their eerie cries piercing the silence. I spent 2 hours scrambling around sunning myself before I realised it was 4 pm and I scrambled back up and walked up to Gannets Bay via Tibbetts. Got to gannets bay by about 4.45 pm, nothing of interest to report. Saw 2 seals swimming upright in the water (bubble netting). By now my stomach was telling me it was time to make my way back.

Walked back via the main path to Quarterwall Cottages, where I stopped to take some pictures. I looked up briefly and saw a herd of about a dozen deer grazing in the field next door. They saw me and headed off to the other side of the field. I hastily fitted my 300 mm lens to the camera and very carefully manoeuvred myself into the gully, stuck my lens through the fence and proceeded to take some shots. They then moved again, so I decided to get closer to them by entering the field, moving slowly and quietly and keeping downwind. It worked and I got some brilliant shots of 4 deer jumping gracefully over the fence. By now my stomach was growling, so I headed back to the cottager and cooked fish and chips for dinner. I think I'll go out later and watch the sun go down - it should be a good one.

Thursday 8th June

Woke up this morning at 9.30 am, got myself ready to go by 11. Decided to go north again today towards the lighthouse. Walked along the cliffs past Jenny's Cove keeping my eyes peeled for puffins - nothing but gulls and guillemots. Saw male wheatear down by the earthquake zone, where I had lunch (the one wind free zone on the island). Got to the lighthouse for about 2, and went to look for seals. Saw 2 bobbing about, sticking their heads out of the water. Then sheltered in John O'Groats house drinking blackcurrant tea and eating cookies before heading back via Gannets Bay. I tried to get down to sea level to get a proper look at the seals, but my foot got stuck in some oozy black smelly substance. Dragged myself up the hill, saw a goat (my first all week), and arrived back here about 5.30.Left again at 6.30 to keep my dinner date at Brambles. Had a delightful evening stuffing myself with courgette, mushroom and tomato bake, vegetable soup with ginger, and treacle pudding with custard. Then went to a slide who put on by one of the divers in the church. Most interesting. Arrived back here about 10 pm and crashed into bed exhausted.
Friday 9th June

My last night in the Old Light Cottage, but thankfully not my last night on Lundy. No, that's right, tomorrow I'm moving into the Radio Room for another week. I wanted to stay here for 2 weeks but somebody pipped me to the post, still, this way I get to have 2 holidays.Just went out to have a last look at that fantastic view. 4 ponies grazing around the lighthouse followed me all around the field thinking my camera was a piece of food. While I was over at Pondsbury today I saw the most gorgeous newborn foal (one day old). I sat and watched it for half an hour until I was rudely interrupted by someone on a motorised tricycle. Finally made it down to sea level at Gannets Bay and took lots of pictures of seals. I shall miss this view next week. To whoever stays here next week - I hope you have as good a time as I have. This is definitely my idea of paradise.

Saturday 10th June

Arrived in the Radio Room today after a delightful stay at the Old Light Cottage, the cosiest pig sty I have ever had the good fortune to stay in. Trudged down the path to the village this morning feeling a bit forlorn at the end of my first week, not really knowing what I wanted to do today. Bumped into Emma, who I saw coming off the boat from CLOVELLY on Wednesday. She persuaded me to take her to Jenny's Cove to see the seabirds, and while I was there I saw a puffin. I couldn't believe my luck, but it was unmistakeable, stubby little wings and bright orange bill, I've seen enough in Shetland to know.We then went to the tavern for lunch, came back here to sort myself out and then went to the landing beach to see the boat off. I think I'll cry when I have to leave this island.
Sunday 11th June

A rather dull grey start to the day. donned all my layers of clothes and set off towards the lighthouse via the east cliff path and the Felix Gade memorial hut. Eventually made it by about 1 pm and sat in john O'Groats house to eat lunch. The sun put in an appearance, so I went down the steps to the sea (off the railway line at the lighthouse) and spend an enjoyable 1 ½ hours watching 20 foot waves pounding the cliffs (quite scary for a non swimmer like me). A seal kept bobbing up and down looking at me, and at one point I had a razorbill perched just above the stair rail. Tore myself away by about 4.30 and ambled back slowly basking in the beautiful sunshine so respondent of this wondrous isle.
Monday 12th June

Went out with Emma, the Warden and some of the new arrivals this week to see some of the puffins. Walked down to the Battery and saw 2 of them on the water in her telescope. Marvellous. Came back here for lunch then went for an hours walk to try and find the Devils Limekiln. Came back for tea, then went out again about 3, aiming to try and record some bird song. Walked round virtually the whole island. Started off on the Rhododendron walk where I got really close to 3 deer, then walked down to the Quarry Beach and onto the North End for about 6 pm. The light was amazing, the tide was coming in over the bottom steps and there were 3 seals playing just off the rocks. Sat and watched them for half an hour before slowly walking back via Jenny's Cove and the Old Light. Eventually got in about 8 pm, feeling footsore and weary, must have walked about 15 miles today. Had tinned chicken stew for dinner, hot shower and collapsed in a heap writing this log. It's now 9 pm and sky is still brilliant blue.

Tuesday 13th June

Went to the shop this morning and while I was queuing to pay saw a sign up outside saying boat trip at 11, so I put my name down. Well worth £5, took about 1 ½ hours and gives you a totally different perspective on the place. Saw loads of seals including some really cute pups, most of which went into the water as the boat approached. Got really close to nesting guillemots and saw the remains of the Kaaksburg. In the afternoon walked down to the Quarry Beach and sat in the sun reading and dipping my toes in the water (brrr) until 5pm when the tide forced me to come up again. Then walked back via the rhodies.Sheep rounded up tonight ready for shearing tomorrow. Incessant barring outside the window, don't think I'm going to get much sleep tonight.

Wednesday 14th June

It was so hot today, it must have been high 70's. it certainly felt like it. Set off in shorts and t shirt 10 am this morning and made my way up to the village stopping off to see the sheep being fleeced. They were making an awful noise. Walked along the east cliff path just past the Quarries, beautiful. Can't think why I've never gone this way before. Stopped for lunch at the Mouse Trap and Hole, before going on toe Gannets Rock where I rejoined the main road. The tide was out when I got down to sea at the lighthouse. I walked right down to the quay, a first for me. It was strange to see all those rocks that are normally covered by the sea. Lots of seals basking in the sun and making weird and wonderful noises up the coast. Walked all the way back via the west cliff path past the Devil's Slide (do they really climb that, I think I'd rather bungee jump!). went to the tavern for dinner, just couldn't be bothered to cook tonight, all I've got in some pastas and half a tin of tomatoes anyway. Ate rabbit ragout which as absolutely delicious and tasted just like chicken, and chocolate crunch cake. Yummy yummy. My arms and legs are now beginning to feel the effects of today's sun and wind. Have plastered them in after sun which I can feel working. Hope the sheep are a bit quieter tonight.
Thursday 15th June

A lazy morning today. Went to the shop souvenir hunting - bought the T shirt, the book, the biscuits, the fudge and the cuddly dolphin. Came back, had a cup of strawberry tea and went off to the Devil's Limekiln where I sat reading my book for an hour. Then climbed up the Old Light to admire the view, saw the kestrel hovering below me. Climbed down again for lunch and them ambled off along the cliffs, as the boat was due in. The Waverly Paddle Steamer also came in at 3 pm, which was quite exciting to watch from the Quarries. Sat in the sun listening to the birds and then set off for probably my last visit to the Lighthouse. There were 4 seals down there today, leading me a merry dance swimming up and down and showing me their flippers (the cheek of it!). I managed to get a few photos with all 4 seals in which I was pleased about. On the way to the light at 3.30 I saw a man who asked me if he had time to get to the North End and back before the boat left at 4.30. I felt quite sorry for him. Ambled back slowly savouring the solitude and listening to the beautiful song of the skylarks. Felt a bit sad that I have only 2 days left here, but I do expect to be back.Now 10 pm and have just got in after a walk to Jenny's Cove to see the sunset via the Old Light. Really spectacular, but rushed back as I forgot to bring my torch.

Friday 16th June

Last but one day. The boat leaves late tomorrow (5.45 pm) so it's almost like having an extra day. The time has really flown by. What have the highlights been? - where do I begin? Watching the seals and the tide at the North End, the sunset from the Old Light, seeing puffins at the Battery, the Rhododendrons in the morning sun, but most of all the peace and solitude which I was in dire need of. In fact I didn't realise just how much I needed a holiday.This past year has not been easy, living with an ageing mother and a schizophrenic sister, and not having had a holiday since August due to job changes, which in themselves were stressful. This is just what I needed to recharge my batteries - I feel like a new woman.So, what to do tomorrow. There's not much I haven't already done. I think I'll walk over to Tibbetts and have a look round, that's something I haven't been able to do (before the new people move in), then have another look at the west side and the Old Light. If there's time I might try and find Benson's Cave. Failing that go for a walk around the Devil's Kitchen. I could always just sit in the Ugly and admire the view that I never tire of.Well, I suppose I must go and sort myself out and tidy the place up ready the next person.Goodbye Lundy, my perfect paradise.