Scilly Revisited

May - June 2019

A week in The Scilly isles with Jim & Nat and Juniper. Our last visit probably some 15 years ago Read more

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Traveler Scilly Revisited
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- May 31, 2019
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 85 m
- England Weymouth and Portland District Grove Isle of Portland 50.541781, -2.43546450°32’30” N 2°26’8” W
Day 1
Portland dorset
May 31, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
We began our adventure driving to Portland with the roads busier than usual arriving in sunshine and joined by Jim and Nat and Juniper. JJ cooked a special Spanish bake and we retired early ahead of and earlier than anticipated start due to anticipated fog later on Saturday. Excellent start to the holiday.Read more
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- Jun 1, 2019, 6:49pm
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- England St. Mary's Hugh Town Porth Cressa 49.914509, -6.3144349°54’52” N 6°18’52” W
Day 2
Travel to St Marys
June 1, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
We left Portland earlier than originally planned as we were advised to catch an earlier flight owing to the likelihood of fog later. So a brilliant bright sunny morning saw two cars packed and ready to head west. An easy drive, with stop at Oakhampton for bacon butties from Woody’s Diner, got us to Lands End a couple of hours early. Time to spot the three operational BN-2B Islanders ( and one in maintenance) and a twin Otter. Also to enjoy the new terminal building built with European assistance.
Our flight in G-BUBN , five of us, a couple and a little boy, took off at 12.55 from a now concrete runway. Joel the pilot took us to 1500 feet at 108 knots and 15 minutes later we were approaching St Mary’s.
A short transfer brought us to the centre of Hugh Town where we left our bags. Scilly has the same charm as we remembered and seems a little more prosperous. We found excellent lunch fare in the Farm Deli which we picnicked upon on Porthcressa Beach on new seating in front of the new Tourist information office. We spent the afternoon reacquainting with the town and harbour. Time for a picture on the Quay and Troytown raspberry ripple before we got into Trevessa , a very homely, comfortable well appointed house with a great yard in a great position next to Wingletang Guest house.
Shopping in the Coop was a doddle and a stones throw away so no need to carry too far.
So far so good.Read more
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- Jun 2, 2019
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- England St. Mary's St Mary's Porth Hellick Point 49.916713, -6.28655449°55’0” N 6°17’12” W
Day 3
St Marys & Nature Trials
June 2, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Some of us were up early, went for a walk and got wet. Others more laid down didn’t surface until it was dry. After breakfast we all went to the little church we used to visit then ordered pasties from a little shop fronting Town Beach. We strolled to Porth Mellon passing Carn Thomas where have stayed and back along the beach. The pasties were ready by lunchtime and were delicious.
The sun was now well and truly shining which made for a great walk along the nature trail to Old Town, up to Carag Dhu garden, through to Longstone Cafe, Holy Vale and down to Porth Hellick, where Nat found a square piece of urchin shell just right for a necklace. Wild flowers are amazing and abundant.
We came back past the airport to Old Town and past the school. The old incinerator is now a colourful heap of wild flowers.
An excellent day exploring many old haunts.Read more
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- Jun 3, 2019
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- England St. Agnes St Agnes The Cove 49.892358, -6.33771649°53’32” N 6°20’16” W
Day 4
Annet and St Agnes
June 3, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We were up early for a quick shop, excellent scrambled egg and mushroom breakfast , courtesy of Jim. Then we headed to the Quay to catch Golden Spray on a wildlife trip round Annet. The trip across was quite exciting with wind and tide conspiring to create some large swell. The usual spot for Puffins was bare , though we did find fulmars, shags, oystercatchers, gannets and Atlantic grey seals. One solitary puffin was seen flying by. Most unusual for the time of year.
We landed on St Agnes in the sunshine and strolled to Beady Pool where we had our picnic lunch on the beach. The variety and colours of wild flowers was outstanding and they continued round the southwest side of the island with views of rocks and out to the Bishop light. We turned at the campsite and found Troytown ice creams in the store. A taste of Cornish cider, Turks Ale or Spanish rose rounded off a splendid , if puffin light day.
Later we dined on fish & chips from the van behind the town hall, including full gluten-free options, excellent it was too. After dinner stroll included some old haunts like Buzzar Tower and Tamale where we watched the 1999 eclipse.Read more
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- Jun 4, 2019
- 🌧 11 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- England St. Mary's Hugh Town Steval 49.912438, -6.32700649°54’45” N 6°19’37” W
1
Day 5
The Garrison
June 4, 2019 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Morning looked a bit uncertain so we did a spot of shopping including a visit to John Bordeaux pottery, where we were greeted by long lost friends, Juniper proving a big hit and being gifted a little wren in his new multicoloured glaze. He’s a very entertaining fellow.
After lunch it perked up considerably which permitted a walk round the Garrison which terrific views over to St Agnes.Read more
Traveler Looks like you two are having a good chat xxx
6/7/19Reply
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- Jun 5, 2019
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- England Tresco Isles of Scilly Tresco Airport 49.946259, -6.33204249°56’47” N 6°19’55” W
Day 6
Tresco Abbey Gardens
June 5, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Forecast was promising so we decided to visit Tresco catching the Sapphire at 10.00. There was a cruise ship out beyond the Easter Isles and so quite a few visitors. Red squirrels on arrival were a real treat and the colour and exotic nature of the plants outstanding.
We planned for lunch on Pentel Bay which is just a fabulous sandy beach and Juno went for a first paddle in the sea which she very much enjoyed. J and I returned to the gardens which by now were much more peaceful though just as colourful. The others walked to New Grimsby and we met again to board Kingfisher at Carnear.
Risotto chez Trevessa rounded off a pretty splendid day.Read more
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- Jun 6, 2019, 8:48pm
- ⛅ 13 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- England St. Martin's Higher Town Saint Martin’s 49.958191, -6.28368249°57’29” N 6°17’1” W
Day 7
St Martins
June 6, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
We were up early in expectation of catching the early boat to St Martins. However it transpired the early boat on a Thursday is half an hour earlier. Nat though chatted up a Tresco boat services chap who was just leaving for St Martins to take a school outing to Tresco. So we hopped on the Hurricane and were whisked across at high speed!
The Old Bakery was open, so we got a round of tea/coffee/lemonade and some naughty cakes. Then we set off for the Day Mark and enjoyed some of many superb views back to Cornwall and out to the Eastern Isles. At the DM we met a chap out photographing and getting some drone shots for his graphic design business.
Returning to higher town we called in Sue Lewington’s gallery before turning towards lower quay having established that as the afternoon pickup point.
We found the FayePage jewellery workshop fortunately just as a shower arrived, and just a stones throw from the Sevenstones which offered Liquid Sunshine by contrast.
Lunch and sketching on the beach before embarking for St Mary’s aboard Meridian.
Dinner was at the Galley and delicious.
All in all a splendid and busy day. Juniper was a treasure and entertainment for all she meets.Read more
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- Jun 7, 2019, 7:10pm
- ⛅ 13 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- England St. Mary's Hugh Town St. Mary's Pool 49.916451, -6.30876749°54’59” N 6°18’32” W
Day 8
Juliet's and the Beach
June 7, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Rain forecast. Preparations for othillo swimrun well underway and a few hardy soles out practicing. First stop to pick up St Agnes gin from Tanglewood behind the post Office. Then off to Porth Melon craft workshops followed by the gallery where we met Stephen Morris, the artist who had been painting a watercolour in the Main Street all week which he showed us. His uncle was married to Nan Heath who also painted watercolours many with wild flowers in the foreground. We then forged on through the rain of storm Miguel past Porth Loo and on to Juliet’s which now has a lovely new building as well as terraces with views for when the sun shines.
We enjoyed a cream tea and watched the Scillonian sail in.
Braving the passing storm we nipped along to the gate where we have a group family photo from some 25 years ago. Then back past the duck pond and Harry’s Walls for lunch at The Beach-excellent it was too!
We all felt the need for a restful afternoon at base while the storm moderated.
Late afternoon we met some new friends of J&N, who shared the same coat as Nat and an 11 week old. We had drinks, including Ales of Scilly special brew for them. Then we stayed on for tapas in Dibble and Grub on Porthcressa, sadly not conducive to sitting outside.Read more
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- Jun 8, 2019, 9:00am
- 🌧 12 °C
- Altitude: 113 m
- England St. Buryan Crows-an-Wra Land's End Airport 50.101336, -5.66745650°6’5” N 5°40’3” W
Day 9
Leaving St Mary's
June 8, 2019 in England ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
Up quite early to get the last of the packing done and house cleaned. It was really good and well positioned so we have booked for 2020.
The showers had passed and it was a sunny start for the Othillo SwimRun round St Mary’s. About a hundred set off at 9 to run first round the Garrison then we saw them appear at Porthcressa, the leader 12 mins later. They then swam across the bay and set off running round Penninis towards Old Town. Our pickup was 9.45 and we encountered some leading runners as we arrived at the airport. They would continue running and swimming round the island for another hour and a half or more. All we had to do was board G-BUBN again for the short flight at 1000ft and 120kt to Lands End Airport, with its now concrete runway.Read more
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- Jun 8, 2019, 4:00pm
- ☀️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 72 m
- England Weymouth and Portland District Weston Mutton Cove 50.537715, -2.44227850°32’16” N 2°26’32” W
Day 9
Back to Portland
June 8, 2019 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
We arrived back at Portland just after four, with J&N&JW a couple of hours behind as they stopped at Castle Drogo. The roads were amazingly good despite warnings about the Cornwall show. Sunny and very windy for a spell. Portland beautiful as ever. Some succulent planting and a blue Agapanthus. Sea bass for supper and an early night.Read more
Traveler I am glad you got back safely because I was quite worried about the windy weather xxx
6/10/19Reply
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