Pilgrim Islands: 1 Unidentified

Some islands are places of pilgrimage. They have been throughout time.

Holy Islands. Magic Islands. Magnetic Islands.

The island that I woke up on on 31st October 2024 is all three.

Caergwle Bowl. A bronze age bowl found at Flint, near my home in Wales. Made of shale, tin and gold. Decorated to represent a mythological boat with waves, oars, sun symbols and "occuli" eyes at prow and stern. In short, a pilgrim's boat. Photo Wikipedia.

October 31st happens to be my 75th birthday, I woke up on my 31st Island. A hundred seals stopped snoring and grunting and playing and fighting and sang Happy Birthday out in the bay. Neil and Amy were in their tent a discreet distance away. I could smell coffee.

Out into the blue yonder. Photo thanks to Neil Buckland

I felt outrageously privileged to be there. It's not an easy paddle. Despite easy conditions we were wrapped in a tangle of tides. In one guide book it is described as "a sea kayaker's pilgrimage". We'd waited all year for the right wind, the right tide when all three of us were available. So, truly blessed and grateful to my dear companions, especially for the coffee.

Photo thanks to Neil Buckland

I don't want to name this island or to identify it by saying much about it. Camping is not allowed. We were here on a nudge and a wink of an invitation. I don't want to spoil it for the seals and the birds or for people who live here. So if you can recognise it from the pictures then clever you, but please don't name it! Join me in protecting it. It is a truly special place.

Celebrating getting back to the mainland. Amy's new boat looking starry.

Photo thanks to Neil Buckland, once again.

This island is number 31 of my 77 Islands. It could be the last sleepover of 2024.

Every good pilgrim finishes with a beer. Rare photo of Neil! Thanks to Amy