Would advise anybody who stays here to take half a loaf of bread to Rocket Pole Pond (south end way below Old Light) and feed the silver carp. It's somewhat comical watching fish steal bread from under the very bills of geese (these may hiss at you a bit but they're really quite cowardly). The fish will virtually beach themselves to get at bread thrown in the shallows.
Bob Roulstone
A beer mat wedged into the front door stops the constant rattle when you are trying to sleep.
Catherine Ogilvie
Get a small screw top bottle to carry a bit of drinking water on expeditions on hot days. I personally put spare boiled water (after making tea) into the coffee jug to give a permanent supply of instant drinking water.
Tony Walker, Wirral
In early summer, before the auks go to sea, Jenny's Cove is a splendid early morning watch point. Puffins and guillemots sit out on the water, gulls wheel and squabble, and the raven rides the eddies seeking an unguarded chick or egg.
Arthur Stagg, Barnstaple
What does the switch furthest from the entrance in the block of two just inside the door do?! The switch mentioned yesterday turns electricity on/off to the lamp on top of radio!
Simon
At VC Quarry opposite John Harman's memorial is a large slab of granite with a neat vertical line of drilled holes, probably in preparation for some explosive device. Take care when you stick your finger in these holes, as one of them housed to my surprise, an understandably aggravated wasp.
Stuart Henshaw
During the first week field mushrooms were prolific and I feasted on them - delicious breakfasts of bacon, fresh wild mushrooms and fresh laid, free range Lundy chickens eggs. The blackberries are ready for picking on the east side and gently stewed with sugar make a tasty sweet pudding with cream to finish your evening meal.
Derek Cheeseborough
The south west field has extensive clumps of immense parasol mushrooms which people say are the best edible mushrooms in the country. I love the searching and give away a lot of the ones I find. A note - only take the opened ones, which have spored. Also lots of field ordinary mushrooms - similar to the cultivated things but with proper taste and texture.
Tony Walker, Wirral
Asthma sufferers - the blue chair is a hotbed of mites/dust/hair - I have alleviated a lot of my problems by covering the thing in a plastic sheet that I had brought with me for just such an occasion.
Simon
The afternoon was spent seal searching. We had been told by many different people that Brazen Ward was the place to go. They were all right.
Alison Polish
Re the shower: the problem is not the heater, it is the water supply. If the boiler kicks in it takes all the water and there is very little to bypass it as cold. Also, I am told beware showers at 7.45 am, as the dishwasher in the kitchen is turned on and takes most of the water.
Adrian Foss, Wincanton, Somerset
If the shower curtain collapses with you in the shower, then an egg cup (top shelf at back of kitchen) will jam against spring loaded shower rail - if you don't mind cavorting in the kitchen in the buff!
Eric Soons, Wedmore, Somerset
The shower is on a supply pipe that feeds the other square properties. Best results are achieved by showering at times when other properties are not likely to be using water.
Derek Cheeseborough
Had great fun flying a kite - the best place is on the far side of the Church but be careful of the cliff!
Alison Polish
Hanging on the bracket of the down pipe beside the front door is a curved piece of stiff wire, perfect for getting the sheep shit out of your boot treads!
Zoe Bradshaw, Okehampton
If you are out and about with a camera, the excellent quality carrier bags supplied by the lovely lady in the shop make excellent water and windproof covers which you can quickly put on and take off your equipment and which then shake dry and take up no space in your pocket.
Paul Cartwright, Bideford
To Rat Island just before low tide - glad I've got decent footwear as rocks slippery and sharp. I was told that I would have 2 ½ hours before tide would cut me off, but having lived and worked with the sea and having looked at the shipping forecast in the Tavern I thought otherwise! True to form, the wind gathered to near gale force on the turn of the tide and I had just over an hour to do some sketching and cave exploration before huge and mountainous waves crashed in and I made an exit.
Anne Beer, Watchet, Somerset
Do not drink from any of the island's springs. I did and can only assume that this is the reason for today's cart wheeling stomach. Can't think what else it could have been - my cooking's not that bad!
June Austin, New Malden, Surrey
We all went on the Cabbages and Kings walk - it was great to be shown the history of Lundy by someone so knowledgeable. If you get the opportunity to do this - do. It takes about 3 hours, but is very easy walking.
Alison Polish
If you're really stumped for something to do - go shit spotting, sheep, goat, rabbit, hen, gull, horse, every type - no bull shit!
Mike Frinton, Rickmansworth
Island staff are a great crowd and seem to be able to help with anything. No puffins in November but lots of smiles and help, if you need it from anyone wearing a blue T shirt (sweat shirt in winter). Most impressed.
Emlyn Graves, Appledore, Devon
How to tell the time on Lundy without a time piece: day - using North, South, Old Light in west judge the sun's position. Shop opening times, day trippers. Night - turn on electric light to give approximation of 6 hours.
Jessica Heath, Derbyshire
If you need a good guide book for exploring the island, buy The Lundy Companion by Michael Williams (available from the shop) although there are only a few left. By the way, he's our son!
Jennie Williams
There is a standard 3 pin plug in the corner behind the bed head.
Grant Cozens, Cheltenham
If you a smoker be,
Spare a thought for those of us not like thee
Smoke thee not in this beautiful place,
For the smell of your smoke lingers on,
For days after you have gone!
And so alas for the next guest,
The place is not left at it's best
Elaine Barnes, Tadley, Hampshire
