After exploring Steep Holm Island, we planned to cross the gap of several miles to Flat Holm Island. The tide wouldn’t be flowing our way for a couple of hours, and the sun had already gone down. Rather than wait and get cold in the dark, we set off against the tide…
The crossing was a long slog (and at one point we were getting nearer to the Welsh mainland than Flat Holm) but eventually we stumbled ashore in darkness at the landing beach on Flat Holm, and lugged our gear up the steps by headtorch. Somewhere in the dark crossing, we had crossed the border into Wales; Flat Holm is actually within the city limits of Cardiff.
Slight problem, we hadn’t actually told the rangers that we were coming…
