The Barndens are finally re-united on Bardsey

Libby and husband David gave up their jobs in East Sussex last May for a reclusive new life tending to the island.

But freak weather has postponed the recluse's return from a shopping trip on the mainland since New Year's Eve.

Return to paradise

Now the couple are being reunited for Valentine's Day, with sunshine finally allowing a boat trip back to her marooned partner with her two children.

In 2001, the Barndens beat off hundreds of applicants to take 20-year tenancy of Wales' most remote and enchanting conservation area.

All I want to do is get to the island and start our life together as a family

Libby Barnsden, Bardsey's returning resident

With their two daughters Rachel, six, and Vicky, nine - the former farmers from Bexhill-on-Sea gave up the creature comforts of a home life to maintain unique, the mile-wide habitat on behalf of the Bardsey Island Trust.

Their only neighbours in the new 130-year-old farmhouse home were the trust's two wardens Mick and Sian Lipscombe, their children, a nun and - for just six months each year - a fisherman.

It was a life-changing move to the island - of which opera star Bryn Terfel has been appointed king and where saints are buried - and motivated by BBC One reality documentary Castaway.

Soon after Libby and former forestry worker David took up residence, however, a 31 December supplies trip to the Lleyn Peninsula coast turned into a disaster which has parted the couple for months.

Marooned on land

A previous attempt on 5 February to reach the island in the Pwllhelli lifeboat was scuppered when winds in rough Bardsey Sound waters reached 50mph.

Libby was forced to turn back and remained on the peninsula, while larder stock back on Bardsey dwindled to a diet of just pasta and tinned soup.

Saintly Bardsey Island is a homely haven

Boat cox Bob Wright said: "There are no lives in danger on the island.

"They have run out of meat, but I understand they have rice and pasta.

"The animals appear to be in more peril than the humans.

"To land on the island, we would need to help of the Abersoch inshore lifeboat and we can't take that out in these conditions."

Now the first supply boat to reach the secluded spot in 45 days, the Highlander, has docked on the island from Pwllheli Harbour to deliver vital food and veterinary supplies for the handful of residents and 350 hill sheep.

In scenes resembling a relative Christmas Day, lonely David will be opening packs of toilet tissues, large sacks of potatoes, cabbages, carrots and large boxes of Corn Flaks during the afternoon.

The landlocked lovers are being reunited in an emotional first meeting since last year.

"I can't believe we're finally going, especially on Valentine's Day," Libby Said.

"I really miss Dave and I can't wait to see him. All I want to do is get to the island and start our life together as a family."