The Greenpeace Rockall picture gallery

[Click on the pics for a larger version.]

We're always on the look-out for pics of the sacred rock and luck came in the form of the Greenpeace protestors that famously lived on its for 42 days — Pete, Al and Meike — and the Greenpeace photographer for the event David Sims.

David was initially peturbed that we seemed to have ripped off a few of his pics (we didn't know David!) but being the wonderful fella he is has actually sent us a load of pics of the mission to stick up on the site. God bless you.

We should point out though that we have permission to run the pics that are under David's copyright. If you want to use one of them therefore contact him and ask.

Actually, if you want to see more of his pics — including loads on football, snow, cars, people all over the worldwide and so on and so forth — pay his site a visit: http://www.davidsims.ukg.biz.

Anyway, onto the pictures. These first three come courtesy of Al Baker who stayed on the rock. Al picks up the story: "The first pic is of myself during the first ascent of "The Atlantic's Frontear" — one of the numerous and thoroughly uninteresting climbs that the rock has to offer.

"Second is Pete surveying the front yard from our roof. This was taken on the day of the pink balloon which, when cast from the rock, bobbed steadily north on the sea until out of sight. Incredibly, when we next saw the pink balloon three days later, it looked somewhat smaller and was heading south.

"And last, Pete and Meike Huelsman relax after a light lunch of local haddock and processed tinned cheese. Pete is the uglier of the two."

Next three. The first is what we call "the Rockall classic". This is the sacred rock in all its glory and hideousness. You will note it is in the middle of bloody nowhere and appears to be quite difficult to get on, not so big that you could have a kick about and not so fertile that you could for long. Love it.

Next to that is another of our favourites. The lads enjoying a cup of tea presumably atop the rock. All you need is a TV showing cricket and you're set (bearing in mind all the previous caveats of course).

And then next to that, a cracking shot of the Greenpeace helicopter about to pull up the pod that Al, Pete and Meike lived in for so long.

And finally a collection of pics of the intrepid adventurers themselves:

Top stuff.