At Sea on Roa Island

 

 

 

Yesterday's sunshine tempted sailors out on the water

 

and out to sea past Roa Island and Foulney.   One side of the island was blue skies

 

and the other under dark clouds.  This swimmer acclimatising to the sea temperature standing on the end of Roe Island jetty at high tide could choose his own direction.  Left around the lifeboat station to sunshine or right to Piel Island under cloud.

ABC Wednesday - Lifeboat

My local lifeboat station on a calm day, all is peaceful, the little ferry boat at the end of the pier is waiting for passenger to take to Piel Island across the water. The lifeboat station is also on an island (Roa) but one that links to the mainland by a causeway. There is a popular cafe here, The Bosun's Locker, but if a stronger drink is required

then get a lift on the ferry across the water to Piel, to its ruined castle and the Ship Inn. The notice has all the information.

There has been a lifeboat station here since 1864 but many different constructions and lifeboats have been used over the years. The present boat 'Grace Dixon'  is one of the very modern Tamar class, superbly ergonomic for heavy seas, computer controlled and of course most importantly self-righting.   One of the previous lifeboats, 'Herbert Leigh' is now high and dry

outside the Dock Museum.  The present lifeboat has many more years in front her to swoop

RNLI Photo by Nicholas Leach

down into the sea from the Roa Island Station.  Take a trip on board the Grace Dixon in the short clip here:

Join the Journey from A to Z at ABC Wednesday and this week's letter L