Nearly three weeks have passed on Round Island – three exciting and tough weeks. Then I got the great news yesterday that the boat trip was confirmed for today. Not that I felt desperate about leaving this unique island. But this way I will be able to be back next week on the regular helicopter changeover on Friday to stay for 4 weeks. It takes a bit of coordination to maximize the time on Round.
The coordinator from MWF did a great job and managed to arrange a boat trip for today. The sea was calm as well. Only from top there was a bit too much water. When we set out from the house everything looked fine. But as soon as we had to start the steep way down the rocky gully to Landing Rock it started to pour down. First only a few drops, then heavy rain. On my back I have the barrel with all the stuff to take back to the mainland, in my hand the laptop. It’s wrapped in a bin bag, just hope there is no hole in it. Otherwise my data are going to be literally flushed away. Then the moment I see Landing Rock for the first time. I read about it in Gerald Durrell’s book, now I am just a few metres above it. The last bit is the toughest to climb down. There is no grass or vegetation to hold on to. It’s only bare, quite slippery rock shaped by erosion. Moving around Landing Rock is a adventure of its own. Imagine you put a plastic on the ground, put lots of soap on it, voilà good luck! And that is where I have to jump into the boat, I was asking myself. The wardens, Martine and Ryan, and myself then prepared everything: two ropes were fastened to a hook in the rock, in case anyone fell into the water, lifevests were ready, and an aluminium ladder was fastened to have a chance at all to get back out of the water. The whole coastline is bare rock, and the sea level at landing rock about 1 m below. The algae on the rocks we removed with a brush and a shovel. So finally, it was safe to move around there. Then the boat arrived and it was action time. Despite the calm sea there was quite a swell on the rocky shore, the boat went up and down almost 1m. The experienced boatsman managed to still maneuver the boat very close to the rocks. Then the barrel was passed over, second was I, and finally with all the necessary care the laptop. We hadn’t left for a minute when it started to pour down again. The guys ashore grabbed all the stuff. I really did not envy them having to do that in that rain and then climb up the steep gully afterwards. For the first time I could now see Round Island from the water, and it was just impressive to see that volcano tip rising there. We were heading towards Gunner’s Quoin to then turn towards Grand Baie where the National Coast Guard has its station. The guys on the boat were a real laugh. They seemed to have a great time together. I am so happy about this opportunity to get off by boat. It is a completely different, and more down to earth feeling because you are just more exposed to the forces of nature. So you get to feel how remote a place Round Island is.
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