Steep Holm Adventure

WADAS (22.08.09, absentees 3, authorised sick-note 1)

Seasoned WADAS explorers made their aromatic way to the quayside at Knightstone Island. The Bristol Queen was moored against the stone steps looking splendid, but rather small in scale relative to the huge crowd of passengers waiting to board. Fortunately, very few were carrying such large bags brimmed full with provisions and alcohol as those in WADAS hands. The vessel might otherwise have grounded at several points during its voyage. Most day-trippers grasped genteel sacks containing neatly cut sandwiches.

The veteran craft, built in 1938, set out via Birnbeck Pier, presumably to take advantage of the deeper channel there as the tide ebbed. Very soon Steep Holm was visible over the port side of the boat and details such as the old inn and cliff cottage began to come into view. We circled the island before landing. It was a little like orbiting the moon and taking a glimpse at its dark side (a sight never before granted to Westoners) half expecting it to be blacked out in shadow. But in fact, it looked fairly similar to the familiar east face, slightly steeper and craggier if anything. There were some concrete search light posts stuck like limpets to the shoreline, reached by dramatic stairs cast onto the craggy rocks, their steel handrails long since corroded away.

Steep Holm may be a bird sanctuary, but there did appear to be a fair smattering of feathers and bones littering the zig-zag path up to the plateau, suggesting peregrine falcons operate in the area.

While two members embarked upon a search of geo-caches the others set about the serious business of reducing the heavy load of beer and wine weighing down the provision bags. This was achieved efficiently and speedily, sitting on the grass in front of the old Victorian barracks, enjoying the spectacular views of the coastline with Brent Knoll and Glastonbury Tor forming a back-drop. By now the female members were getting rather rowdy so a more remote nook was selected for lunch - on the concrete roof of an old ammunition store at the Summit Battery. Views from here were no less awe inspiring, featuring Flat Holm and the Welsh coast.

One of the WADAS party had not been 'thermetted', that is to say, had so far avoided having the history and operation of the thermette demonstrated/explained in unrelenting detail over a significant period. Certain phrases such as 'and how does the thermette work?' should never be uttered on an isle with infrequent connections to the mainland. Needless to say, although one person was bored senseless, the rest of the party benefited from welcome cups of tea, the water for which was boiled up by this wonderful invention using the abundant local supply of dry wood, feathers and bones.

After a very interesting guided tour of the excavations at the medieval priory it was time to board the Bristol Queen once more and head back to Birnbeck on the returning tide. A wonderful day out, to be repeated, all being well, next year.