Last July on a bike ride, I was asking friends if they had been to the Isles of Scilly? Almost a chorus of "No, but I'd love to go". My hubby wasn't keen, so I decided to make it happen, going with friends instead. Three of us would fly using the Skybus from Exeter, and Jeanette would use the ferry, joined by husband Martin. They also opted for an apartment, whilst Amanda, Gill & myself booked The Tregarthen's Hotel on the seafront.
9 months in the planning, and Jeanette and Martin spent a further week ahead of the holiday, touring Cornwall. I was in Germany last week, when I got an email to the effect that "all flights from Exeter are now cancelled for the next month". WOT! It took 3 more days for us to find out what our alternative plan was to be. What a stressful few days. Finally with just 3 days to go, we were informed that we would fly from Newquay, not Exeter. On Tuesday, Gill drove us to park at Exeter, and a taxi (paid for by IOS Travel) took us to Newquay for a slightly later flight at around 2.30. Our return flight would also be to Newqauy departing 2.40 from St Mary's on Friday.
Beautiful sunny day as we flew along the Coast of Cornwall to Lands End, then a right turn out to sea.
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| Godrevy Lighthouse below. A interesting landing, as we touched down just a few yards from the edge of the sea, and within 5 mins we were collecting our luggage. Great way to travel! A taxi whisked us off for the 10 minute transfer to our hotel and we paid him for our return trip, agreeing that he would collect us on Friday at 13.20. ( I say "we" paid him. Gill was banker once more, and paid for everything. 😂) After checking in, a walk into the town, and we bumped into Jeanette and Martin! 😆 She suggested a walk to us, and we would meet them at our hotel for dinner later (Pre booked, since there are not many restaurants for the evening ) A few photos from our late afternoon exploration of Porthcressa Beach leading us into the Garrison Walk....      It was a cold wind again today.  a sign of good air quality.     Gill having a nightmare with her hair. 😄  And soon back to towards the town and downhill through another arch to our hotel, and harbour.    Our hotel entrance just on the left a bit further down.   A very nice meal in our hotel, which was packed with diners. Some residents could not get a table until later, since they had not prebooked. (We learned on the last day that two of the restaurants in town were damaged by the January storms, and were being refurnished. This was the loss of 300 dining spaces. No wonder they were all busy as we found out each evening!) Thankfully we had prebooked for each night in 3 places. DAY TWO - TRESCO. We only had 2 full days on the island, and on of those days, we had planned to use a golf buggy to get around. So once again had planned ahead, and booked it for tomorrow, Thursday. SO, that left today for our trip to Tresco. The forecast was not great, and gusts of 40mph forecast. Oh dear. My sea legs are not good but its now or never. 😖  The Tresco boat was at 10.15, so we had time for a bit more exploring after breakfast.      into my eyes! 😨   Although most bikes were pretty rusty.        All smiles before we leave the shelter of the harbour! A few waves ahead!!  It wasn't raining. The jackets are wet with the waves coming over the side! 😲  lol. They held hands the whole way.   ( we would be picked up later at New Grimbsy Quay, on the West side)  But just around the corner, we could hardly stand up for the wind!!!!  Gill had bought a new hat about an hour ago. 😂 At least we won't loose her.     My Lumix camera had been playing up and not always switching on, so frustratingly I put it away and resorted to my mobile phone, which is just not the same quality. I was also filming of course for a holiday film. We spent a few minutes as we arrived, watching a red squirrels dashing around.      One of the few lawn areas. We loved the architectural quality of these trees, looked like stars on the top.  Entering the old "Abbey" part of the garden.  The bench where Jeanette will later sit to sketch, and I will sketch the bench from the opposite bench.      Several of the benches were now just garden ornaments.  Walking up "Neptune's Staircase."   With about half of the garden done, time for lunch. When in Cornwall...😊  So sheltered here, that we were able to have lunch outside.  Exploration resumed after lunch.  Fascinating patterns on the South African Protea varieties.   This variety felt like soft suede at this stage of opening. Since the other plan for this trip was to do a bit of outdoor sketching.... we returned to the benches in the Abbey part of the garden, whilst Martin went to see the Valhalla exhibition near the exit. Amanda hadn't sketched for years and opted out.... for now.😉 She was here under false pretenses!! But she did take some photos of the artists in action. 😂   Jeanette realised that evening that she had left her paints on the bench! Update now that we are home. She called them, and are being posted back to her.   And here are the efforts for today..... never as easy as it looks, infact everything I have ever learned is instantly forgotten when I sketch outdoors!😂   Anne's. What on earth possessed me to include Jeanette? 😂  adding more details at home.  Gill's 2nd scene. It was a relaxing 30 mins or so, then we joined Martin again.  We joined Martin for a look at this unusual collection!   Since the next boat at 4.30 was the last one of the day, time to walk to the West side of the island to New Grimsby Quay. A very pleasant walk.     A much more pleasant experience on our return boat trip, with the wind behind us this time. We saw the "school boat bus" whizzing off with some young kids returning home after their school day, on a boat called Lighting. It certainly whizzed along, and passed us 3 times backwards and forwards on our trip! We were overdue for a cuppa, so walked to the sheltered Porthcressa Beach to the Dibble and Grub Cafe. They had some amazing chocolate cake to accompany our tea. Light as a feather, and only after eating it did they tell us that it was gluten and dairy free. A couple sitting next to us ordered a Sangria, and before we knew it Gill had convinced us that this was a good idea. Martin thought so too, as long as his was beer. 😂  5.30 Sangria time.Dinner was at 7.45 at The Atlantic. It was really busy, and the waiter was practically running between tables. After about 40 mins he admitted that he has LOST our order, so started again. The food was nice enough, but not special. With two restaurants closed, they were doing their best I suppose. DAY 3 - TOUR AROUND ST MARY'S ...... BY BUGGY  We were instructed to stick to the roads in RED, ie not use the buggy on tracks. I had decided to book a 6 seater buggy incase Martin was joining us, but also since it meant that we had 4 seats all facing the front, with just 2 facing backwards. As it turned out, Martin planned to walk around the island instead that day (for a bit of peace 😄). He had walked round it twice already since they had been here already for 4 days ahead of us. But his plan was to fill in a few gaps. Gill volunteered to drive it first, but we were all insured, so took turns during the day. We were told that we could drive around the whole island in 25 mins, but our plan was to park up and walk to some of the sites.  The forecast for the whole day was rain, but it rarely happened. First port of call was at Old Town Bay, where we parked up to take a walk to look at the Church cemetery. A funeral was taking place in the church, so we didn't get to look inside.  Our buggy on hire from Scilly Karts.     As we were walking to the buggy, who should appear but Martin! lol. We offered him a lift to our next port of call at Longstone Lodge Cafe. Gill still driving.    we parked to the cafe.  Martin left us once more, as we went into a small community garden just near the cafe called Carreg Dhu (Cornish for Black Rocks)    We didn't know what this was, but had seen loads of it on the island. I guessed from the foliage at it's base, probably a form of Geranium. Google identified it Maderia Cranesbill (Germanium) aka Giant herb- Robert. Time to move on, and my turn to drive, heading for Porth Hellick Down, where there is a rock called the Camel Rock, and also an ancient burial chamber.       Camel Rock.  lol!! here comes Martin.😂😂😂 We walked a little way with him, visiting the burial grounds. It was relatively calm here and no one around, so I took the opportunity to fly my drone. It wasn't until we read the info board later, that we notice "no drones" woops!!    Martin left us again, but for how long?! We walked back uphill to the buggy and with me still driving, headed slightly inland again to Carn Vean Cafe, which was our lunch stop.    Deliciious pulled pork and cheese toasty, and Falafel.   Leaving the buggy parked at the cafe, a walk now downhill to Pelistry Bay, where if the tide is out, its possible to walk across to Tolls Island.   Tide was in, so not possible to reach the island. (quietly relieved, incase we got stuck!) A bit of time to sketch for a few minutes until we got too cold.  Jeanette and Gill also looking to the island.   Put the camera on a trip for this and seconds later it blew down in the wind. I decided to do a scene NOT looking to the island.  Amanda's. Brilliant. She hasnt sketched for 7 years.  Jeanette's double page spread. Excellent and really quick all done in situ.   I opted for some rocks leading to the pathway. Back to the buggy and Amanda's turn. She is a Professional buggy driver as it turned out! She transported atheletes from the Olympic park to their events and also a the Paralympics. We now drove inland again, heading for place called Telegraph. It was a Look out tower, but now residential, owned by the Dutchy of Cornwall.   Parking just next to the tower, another walk now to the West coast side, to visit another ancient burial chamber, and remains of a settlement, at Halanlgy Down. A beautiful walk with bluebells too, but they were almost horizontal in the wind! Black skies overhead, and we ran for shelter inside the burial chamber.😕        minutes until the rain passed. Back to the buggy, and Amanda drove to our next destination of "Juliet's garden", a recommended cafe stop. 4ish, and time for tea and a nibble.     Time for Jeanette to take a turn, with the unenviable start of back up the steep hairpin bend. I walked up the hill to film them passing. It was quicker! 😂💨💨💨    Jeanette passed the task back to Gill to get us to the start. It was about 5ish, and we decided we had time to drive back the long way round the island to make the most of our £90 investment for the day. It was a great way to see the island. Martin was home before us, after his walk. 😅 Our final dinner was booked for 7.45 at The Hall. By far the best meal of our stay, in beautiful surroundings too. And no more expensive than the other places we had eaten.  DAY FOUR. Half day until we leave on our flight at 2.40..... or so we thought! Jeanette and Martin dropped their bags off at the harbour left luggage and we checked out by 9.30 too. Our plan this morning, a walk to the Lighthouse and an early lunch at the Dibble & Grub cafe, before saying our goodbyes. A beautiful morning, and the wind had dropped significantly since yesterday. A quick visit to the Town Beach where we previously couldn't walk due the sand blowing in our eyes. My Lumix camera working again...for now.       Camera stopped working again, so back to mobile phone. Grrrr. Also had my drone with me, so had planned to use that as we reached the lighthouse, and a couple of shots enroute for the film.    It was heading for my hand. 😎    Jeanette took the photo above, before announcing that she would set off on "the high" road to the lighthouse, whilst Martin would show the rest of us the more difficult "scramble of the rocks" path.  I missed a call from Penzance at 10.12, so decided to call back incase it was related to our flight. "Is that Anne Massey, travelling today with Gillian and Amanda?" YES. "We are waiting for you at check in. Are you coming? WE ARE, BUT NOT FLYING UNTIL 2.40. "That changed. Your flight is leaving at 10.40". WOT!!! NO, NO, NO. We had email confirmation and phone confirmation that its 2.40, with taxi at our hotel at 1.40. "Sorry, but you are all booked on the 10.40. How close are you to your luggage?" NOT AT ALL CLOSE, WE ARE ALMOST AT THE LIGHTHOUSE!! "aghhh, ok, then it looks like you will miss your flight. In which case, I will try to get you on the late afternoon flight to Lands End" OH NO YOU WON'T! When do we need to be at the airport? "Now, but the flight in is a little late leaving Newquay so you might make it if you are really quick". WE WILL BE AT THE HOTEL IN 30 MINS, SO MAKE SURE A TAXI IS WAITING What a ridiculous situation! We never saw Jeanette again, as we practically ran to the hotel, about 30 mins away, where a taxi was waiting, and whisked us to the airport about 10 mins drive. The only way we managed to get the flight was because it was late arriving. 😡😡😡   A wonderful holiday, spoiled only by the complete incompetence of the Skybus Admin team at Penzance, on both outward and return journeys. (Letter of complaint already been send by email). Our taxi waiting for us at Newquay to return us to the car parked at Exeter. Thanks ladies for joining me to tick the Isles of Scilly off my list. Loved it. Might need to go back to visit St Agnes and St Martins.😉 |
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