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The original is at http://www.therockalltimes.co.uk/rockall-ho/2005-picture-gallery.html.
The Rockall Ho! 2005 picture gallery
Who are the kings of Rockall? We are
by de Management
It's now a matter of record that on 16 June — hereafter known as "Rockall Day" — the Rockall Ho! 2005 team successfully landed on the sacred islet of Rockall, hereafter known as "The Peoples' Republic of Rockall".
In the event, King Neptune elected to smile on our adventure and bless us with what must rate as one of the nicest days at the world's remotest island in living memory, or since records began, whichever takes your fancy.
No trip to Rockall is a picnic, though, and no-one knows it better than us. Have a shufti here at our 2003 attempt to assault the Rock — five days of North Atlantic madness which culminated in frustration.
No matter. We dusted ourselves down and got back on the case. Here, then, is the pictorial record of our triumphant 2005 campaign. Enjoy:
| Click on the thumbnails for a full-size pic. These images are strictly copyright and must not be used for any purpose whatsoever without prior written permission. | ||
Al Baker |
Moff Betts |
James Cameron |
John Cunningham |
Lester Haines |
Trevor Locki |
Wolfgang Schaub |
David Woods |
Our motto: By Sea to Nowhere |
The Invincible at Stromness harbour |
The services of this traditional nautical object were mercifully not required |
Some of the 200 tons of organic victuals required for the journey |
Trevor Locki ponders the minor problem of how to get the outboard from the inflatable to the Invincible |
The solution? Some scaffolding, plenty of rope and... |
...a man who knows a bit about knots |
James Cameron offers his support in traditional South Uist style |
Finally, our assault vessel is ready for action |
And in case you're wondering, here's how you lash the inflatable. Simple as that. |
14 June: Finally underway as Invincible casts off from Stromness quayside |
James Cameron, Moff Betts, David Woods and Wolfgang Schaub almost look happy at the prospect |
Trevor Lockie celebrates in traditional style with a Scottish cofter's lament on the tin whistle |
Rockall Ho! — John Cunningham fit and ready for action |
Our last sight of dry land before the sacred islet |
The Invincible's bridge |
John Cunningham and Moff Betts soak up a few rays... |
...while we cross the sea to nowhere |
Breakfast aboard the Invincible: Wolfgang demonstrates it is physically possible to eat porridge with pickled onions |
Charity duty for Al Baker and John Cunningham — signing the first-day covers as magnificently designed by Discworld Stamps |
Moff Betts makes his mark |
Our £1 Rockall stamp |
16 June: 8.30am. Our first sight of the world's remotest islet |
Conditions seem improbably favourable... |
...although the scale of the beast soon becomes apparent |
Al Baker readies the inflatable |
John Cunningham assaults Rockall |
Triumph: John Cunningham atop the Rock |
With the climbing lines attached, the rest of the team can begin the occupation |
James Cameron mans the belay... |
...while David Woods makes the ascent of Rockall's 60ft vertical face |
After four years of dreaming, Rockall Times editor Lester Haines finally huffs and puffs his way onto Rockall. |
A suitably pleased John Cunningham takes over belay duty... |
...and prepares to receive the next boarder |
Moff "Doc Rockall" Betts demonstrates his North Atlantic ascender technique while Al Baker circles in the inflatable |
And with one small step, Doc Rockall hops aboard |
Moff takes a breather while Al Baker shouts encouragement |
Trevor Lockie (centre) joins Lester (l) and James Cameron |
The radio boys raise the mast. From l-r: John Cunningham, David Woods, James Cameron |
Moff Betts offers his support |
John Cunningham captures the scene for posterity |
Preparing to transmit: From l-r: Wolfgang Schaub, Lester Haines, David Wood, James Cameron |
The Invincible stands by |
"Site of United Kingdom Light Beacon. June 1971". Not any more |
A local guillemot pops in for a shufti |
Moff Betts atop the world's remotest island |
The Peoples' Republic of Rockall as sketched from the Invincible |
The Peoples' Republic of Rockall |
wild isolation |
Time to go: Lester Haines returns to the Invincible |
Last man off Al Baker prepares to abseil into history |
Pleased? Us? From l-r: David Woods, John Cunningham, Lester Haines, Al Baker (honest), Moff Betts, Wolfgang Schaub, James Cameron and Trevor Lockie |
Lester sacrifices a first-day cover to Neptune. Cheers mate |
And we bid a final farewell to the sacred islet of Rockall |
Naturally, the infernal tin whistle features heavily in the celebrations |
Al Baker has a quiet achievement moment amid the kit... |
...before the North Atlantic waves us goodbye in traditional style |
A welcome sight: Back in the Orkney Islands |
Well-deserved beer. From l-r: Trevor Lockie, first mate Angus Budge, Moff Betts |
David Woods looks moderately pleased with himself |
And Moff Betts, James Cameron and Al Baker reflect on a job well done |
From The Rockall Times Monday 8th August 2005
http://www.therockalltimes.co.uk/.