My mind drifts back, as I sit at the dining room table with the winter sunshine
streaming through the windows onto its polished surface, to the many times I
have visited Flat Holm, and especially to those long working days. However, by
moving to land-locked Wiltshire, with its River Avon and the Kennet and Avon
Canal, it means that from time to time I do not want to dream but instead I need
a "fix" of sea air. So, when the opportunities arise I take my family, friends
and acquaintances from Holt, the village in which we live, to Flat HolmThe "Long Working Day" has a special feel about it. There is the early morning start needed for us to make the 75 mile journey to Barry in order to be on time to board the Lewis Alexander. Couple this with the drive through the lanes, travelling over the Second Severn Crossing with the sun behind us and the joy of quieter roads and there is a tingling sensation to the final approach to the Harbour via Barry Island.
Last September we need not have hurried as we were delayed at the quayside! However, a smooth crossing, a warm welcome with a cup of tea and a briefing on health and safety matters followed by a list of jobs to be tackled gave a distinct purpose to the day and put the earlier setback behind us.
It did not matter which task we undertook, whether it was cleaning windows, painting the foghorn station, cleaning and refreshing the helicopter landing pads, repairing the picnic tables, gleaning and scouring the beaches for driftwood for winter fires or tackling the stinging nettles from the chicken run, it was the companionship of working together in a friendly atmosphere that counted.
A group of artists came with us and we watched with fascination as they sketched pieces of driftwood, panoramic views, the buildings or the gulls. There was also the opportunity for newcomers and old hands alike to have a guided tour of the island. At the end of the day we shared the fellowship of a barbecue with the island staff before watching for the Lewis Alexander cutting its way towards the jetty through the tidal waters of the Severn Estuary.
A walk from the farmhouse confirmed those warm feelings - that we had contributed to the upkeep of the island and thus released the staff to do other important tasks so that other day visitors and residents could derive maximum benefit from what the island has to offer.
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to get my "fix" of sea air, work and have fun amidst friendly people on Flat Holm. Will you join me next time? I recommend the effort it takes.