I have to admit that this story has been inspired by Usksider’s wonderful series of photos about Tenby in South Wales. I went there first when I was a child, and probably too young to appreciate it, but have always wanted to make the trip to nearby Caldey Island by boat.

The monks on Caldey Island are Cistercians, which for those of you who have never done any monking (that’s me then) are a strict, observant branch of the Benedictine Order.

They originally set out to farm the island, but nowadays make a lot of perfume which they sell to tourists. They also allow individuals and groups ‘wishing to spend a few days of quiet and reflection’ or wishing to ‘experience more fully the spiritual life of the island’ to stay as paying guests.

In January 2000, according to the Guardian newspaper, one of these overnight visitors apparently got a bit tired and emotional and spent all night singing.

Unfortunately the monks were unable to complain about the noise as they take a nightly vow of silence.