Slippery Poles and Sea Horses

Summer briefly appeared on The Lizard at the weekend for the annual National Trust Mullion Harbour Day.

With a rare glimpse of sunshine at the weekend, hundreds of locals and visitors came down to Mullion Harbour for the annual Harbour Day. Working with our Ambassador Business, Lizard Adventure, they were treated to free taster kayak sessions, a raft race, harbour jumping, the "Sea Horse" Steeplechase (a run and swim whilst riding hobby horses made from discarded body boards) and the legendary "Greasy Pole" (pillow fights from a slippery pole jutting out over the harbour). Prizes for the games and races were kindly donated by local businesses. A hog roast and bar were provided to keep everyone fed and watered and stall holders set up shop around the harbour walls. The new RNLI Lizard lifeboat was on site and children's games and activities were provided in the marquee by our team of volunteers.

Jockeys prepare for the Sea Horse Safari Steeplechase / National Trust

Mullion's annual Harbour Day is organised by the Trust primarily as a community event, but it also raises much needed funds for the ongoing maintenance of the harbour itself. This year's event with the involvement of Lizard Adventure, meant we were able to offer much more of an 'outdoors experience' with kayaking and raft races. And with all the recent negative publicity regarding the dangers of 'tomb-stoning' and messing about in the sea, they also allowed the local kids the freedom to have a some serious fun in the safety of the harbour. As one young lad said, just before a particularly acrobatic fall from the greasy pole, "I've not had so much fun in years! They should have some of these activities at the Olympics."

mayhem and high jinks on the water during the raft race.....

A big thankyou to Elle and the rest of the Lizard ranger team, and the Lizard Adventure team for organising such a fantastic event.

...is that our old friend Trusty on a raft?

Justin