Choosing where to take my typewriter into the Lundy landscape today was a decision shaped by the wind. For several days, the wind has been blowing steadily from the south and southwest. This makes the east side of the island a more sheltered choice for an open-air writing session.

My route included two stone buildings, each with curious names. The first, The Ugly, a building sometimes compared to a bus shelter, perched on the side of Hangman’s Hill. From here, the view sweeps South down to the Landing Bay. It also extends North across the East Side. This panorama invites contemplation.

As I sat, fingers poised over the keys, haiku’s emerged. These brief verses were my attempt at capturing the scenes and sounds around me. The sidelands of the East, the movement and the call of birds, and the shifting tide below.

From The Ugly, I continued my walk downhill, skirting the back of Millcombe, until I reached The Casbah. This part of the walk is one of my favourite strolls. Today, it was pleasantly sheltered. The carved steps, where daffodils are just beginning to push through, offer a hint of Spring.

The Casbah was once transformed into a bar for a single night. This is an event I’d love to revive! Now, it is a secluded spot with a sturdy table that makes an ideal writing desk. The wind whistled through the pines as I typed. The nearby stream ran under a small footbridge and down into the valley. These sounds and sensations were represented by the typewriter’s sharp clacks. They echoed across the valley. Yet, the blackbirds remained undeterred and hopped about in the undergrowth.

If the names of places on Lundy intrigue you as to their history, I recommend Michael Williams’s book. I believe it is presently being reprinted.

Williams, M. A., (2011). The Lundy Companion: A Comprehensive Gazetteer of a Unique Island and Its Landmarks. Old Light Press.