Scillies Summer Sketching Blog

Islands and Rocks loom from the fog and rain. Monday 3rd July - Dad dropped Julie and I off at the quay ready to catch the Scillonian over to the Isles. Just off Newlyn/Mousehole we had the wonderful sight of about ten basking sharks, heading into Mounts Bay. The crossing was quiet and flat, much to Julie’s relief. As we arrived into the islands it started raining and stayed like that, as we put up the tent. It did stop briefly, but started again later. So we had a few soggy clothes to dry out in the tent. Finished the day with a beer in the Sevenstones. Here’s to better weather!

Tuesday - A day of lightning, thunder, rain and sales. With a thundery forecast we decided to catch the boat over to St Mary’s for my annual shopping expedition. There was a Foredeck sale in the Town Hall and the Islanders were out in force. The crossing over was calm, but raining, with thunder rolling around us. We got into Hugh Town and I was soon into a new rig of clothes. We had lunch in the Blue restaurant, with lightning and stair rods of rain lashing down outside. In the afternoon it cleared up abit. We had our dinner sat outside the Sevenstones, looking at the view, whilst being mugged for chips by the Sparrows. Walking back to the tent along the beach.

Wednesday - We woke early today to a dry, but overcast morning. We spent the morning walking around the island to re-acquaint ourselves with it. Keeping to the wider paths as it was very wet and dewy. We returned back via the Post Office (with supplies) for an early lunch, as we wanted to catch the 1.00 o’clock boat for bird and seal watching. As it turned out we were the only two who wanted to go. After abit of a discussion the boatmen of Voyager decided to take us on a shorter trip, but we still saw lots. Including two pods of dolphin, lots of Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, Terns, an Egret, and the usual Gulls, Shags and Cormorants! The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing on the beach and in the tent.

Chimney Rocks, Shags swirling in following a shoal of fish? - Thursday - A slower start this morning, weather brighter, but still a little overcast. We started out for a walk around Chapel Downs. Stopping on the way at the Post Office, Gallery and little Gift Shop. We paddled along Higher Town Beach, before having lunch near Brandy Point. In a minute we are off to the hotel bistro for dinner. Later - very nice crab risotto by the way.

Friday - We caught Voyager over to join the seventy odd children for the ‘Samson Picnic’. Which worked out fine as they all stayed on the beach at Bar Point, enjoying themselves. Leaving us to explore the Island. Samson is an interesting island, we had to leave North Hill to the Terns, but South Hill had a team of archaelogists, from Cardiff, working on the abandoned homesteads. So they were interesting to look at. Today has been lovely and sunny, just as the Scillies should be. We were picked up again at 2.30 and came back for tea followed by a pock about on Quay Beach.

Saturday - A nice sunny start which slowly became more overcast and blowy as the day went on. We strolled up to Higher Town and down to the Old Quay for lunch. We continued our strolling around the Island before returning for tea. In the evening the wind got up, the rain came down and tent pegs were hammered down harder.

Sunday - My birthday - happy birthday me! The day started off not so good (or rather windy and overcast). So had decided to catch the low tide and go over to White Island. Which was rather windy, but pleasant having tea sat on the leeside. We then walked over to St Martins Bay, where it was sheltered from the wind, with the sun coming out too. Later we went up to Polreath for tea and ice-cream, with Anna and Dave (the eyebrow lady was not pleased with a small pot and two cups). Dinner later in the Sevenstones.

Monday - Our last day on the Scillies, flying out by Skybus, or so we thought. (As they had problems with the Scillonian) But before that we had a mad dash to strike camp, having left things too late!! Gear, tent and assorted things were thrown into bags willynilly. I was still packing stuff up on the quay as the boat came in to pick us up! More time needed next time. Then it was onto the boat with the rumour that nothing was flying, with low cloud and that they had done an emergency repair to the Scillionan. Much to Julie’s displeasure. So we had an unexpecked extra four hours on St Mary’s, with it being abit showery and very foggy. We spent an interesting couple of hours looking around the Museum and a cup of tea back at the Blue restaurant. The crossing back was very smooth, with the fog horn going alot of the way!

A windy day, with a large sea running. We had just seen the Lifeboat crash down the slip on a shout. --- We then spent the rest of the week with Mum & Dad at Godolphin, having over the next few days lovely sunny weather - Cornwall at its best. We checked out Loe beach, ready for launching our mirror dinghy from. Which was great fun on Carrick Roads, I managed not to capsize us! We also spent a pleasant afternoon at Trelissick. And had some lovely walks along the coastal path on the North Coast and down at the Lizard with Mum & Dad. -Nick Watton