Photos & Reports Index

The Scilly Isles
19/08/05 to 27/08/05

Photos - Day 7 Day 8

Days 7 & 8
Days 1 & 2  Days 3 & 4  Days 5 & 6  Day 9 & Conclusion


Day 7 Thursday

Up to catch the 1015 boat to St Martins, it poured with rain just as we left the harbour - we should have taken the hint from the crew as they where wearing full waterproofs!

Before we landed we had a tour of the eastern islands (the place we did the seal snorkelling) where we saw lots of birds and seals. On landing at Higher Town quay we headed up to the town (a small hamlet actually) and had lunch at an award winning bakery, though they had just run out of pasties.

Wandering along the island we found the long sandy beach of Great Bay, John and Andy went for a swim in the sea and we all fell asleep in the sun.

Ambling round the top of the coast back to lower town we stopped at the tiny internet room to leave a message on the messageboard, then went for a pint in the last pub on the islands left for us to visit and caught the last boat back, managing to get just as wet as on the way there as the swell was well up.

Getting back to St Mary's just before the butchers shut, to get the meat for the BBQ which we had on old town beach, trying not to get to much sand in the food then sat round the fire until it died down and we got cold.

Day 8 Friday

More rain in the night and no sun when we got up meant that our plans to sit the beach and swim in the sea when to pot, so it was a day bumming around town.

First on the list was the powder room in the Garrison which we had walked past every day walking up to the campsite and said we must do - only one room and 6 info boards but it killed ½ an hour, then into town to do all the souvenir shopping.

After a spot of lunch Andy, Esther and John when on a London open top bus tour of the island. We did not see much we had not seen already but the driver was informative and v humorous (his joke about the islanders planting the cabbages in a double line to make dual cabbageway was able hit the mark). Top Tip for anyone who may decide to take this bus in the future - sit on it as soon as it is there, to reserve yourself the best seat (we sat near it whilst it was empty, with out backs to it, only to turn round and find it nearly full!!)

By the end of the tour the time the sun had squinted though the clouds and it was warm enough to sit on the beach while Dan and Andy when for a swim in the sea.

Met up later in the local (Bishop's Finger) for a pre diner tipple of Scuppered before heading to the Corner House for a very nice meal, then heading down to the quay to just see the end of the men's gig race and back to the local for one last pint.

Reports by John

Day 9 & Conclusion

Northants20s30sRA
Registered Charity 1093577