There are two basic ways of reaching Scilly - by air or by sea. Air travel is provided by helicopter or by single-wing 'plane.  We prefer the sea route, which takes approx 2.75 hours, sailing from Penzance on the Isle of Scillies Steamship Company vessel, "Scillonian III", preferring as we do to enjoy the trip along the Cornish coast before departing for the Isles, which we see slowly appearing at the horizon, while we enjoy a drink and  Cornish Pasties (The REAL ones, made from the Cornish recipe, that is). This year (2007),we arrived in bright, sunny weather, having left a rather overcast and chilly Penzance at 9:30 am.

Throughout the voyage, the visibility was clear, and the sun emerged, with the islands, about half way through the voyage.

The first compilation (right) is of the first pictures taken towards the end of the voyage and feature St Martin's (the most Northerly Island), two aspects of St Mary's, the larger island - on which we stay - and then pictures taken on our arrival at St. Mary's quay.

 

 

 

The other town, and the original main residential area on the island is Old Town, where the original quay was built in the 15th century, in what is now called Old Town Bay, to serve the needs of Ennor Castle (very few remains - in private grounds). This small community also has a store and places where visitors can take refreshment, so can even make a day of it in this more peaceful place.

This is a favourite part of St Mary's  for many regular visitors - do not fail to visit Old Town Church, the very old, if much reduced original church at St Mary's and the last resting place of many seafarers, both local and also unfortunates who were shipwrecked in Scilly.

  There are also a number of other folk who over a number of years became residents, and these include even a number of politicians - Lord Wilson of Rievaulx (former British Prime Minister) and Ray Gunter, who served in Lord Wilson's administration for a number of years.

A visit to Old Town would not be complete for us without a visit to see John Bourdeaux who has now returned to his original art, painting, and has thus enhanced his already enviable reputation as a potter of considerable skill and distinction.

All visitors are made to feel very welcome and there must now be thousands who now like to think of him as a friend as well as a provider of superbly innovative works of art, developing as he has, new methods in using granite in his creations.

To the right, there is a picture of John himself, surrounded by a few examples of the wide range of his talents.

John Bourdeaux is a potter of national and international repute, who creates his work in a studio set in idyllic surroundings.

Known by many of his colleagues as The Alchemist, he creates an amazing range of glazes, utilizing many local minerals.

His mastery of using precious and semi-precious metals in multiple firings has resulted in a stunning range of hand thrown lustre ware that is extremely collectable, pieces of which are already housed in private collections throughout the world

The most northerly of the islands, and thus the nearest to the mainland, which can be seen on a clear day. We were again blessed with glorious weather throughout the day, which was a double blessing because St Martin's was holding its annual fete and thus looked for good weather and a consequential bumper attendance ; they received both !!

Like all the other islands, St Martin's has its own charms -it is not just a rubber-stamp of the other islands, which each have their communities, of which they are justly proud. The various inter-islands competitions are a  mark of this admirable trait.

  In the same way, for the visitor, each island is different, but equally beautiful and it is for this reason that Pat and I make a eagerly look forward to visiting them all on our annual Scilly holiday. Each of the islands is something of a favourite while we are there; what other recommendation can we offer ?

  We were pleased, this year, to be able to make a fleeting visit to the St Martin's Vineyard, which we have seen develop over a number of years. They now produce wine of a very good quality and a visit or conducted tour is well worth while; the gift shop is a very useful addition for the visitor, as well.

In common with the other islands, there are countless breath-taking views to be enjoyed, and St Martin's has the beaches which a great many visitors favour  - this said, it matters not which island you are visiting - you will always be able to find a superb beach for safe sun and sea bathing. It is well worth repeating, however, that it is essential that one is well protected from the Scilly sun because of the very clear air here.  Sea bathing is just about always safe; there are only two beaches on the islands from which bathing is not recommended at high tide !

St.Agnes

This year we visited both this island and Bryher in weather which was warm, but rather overcast and therefore not in the best light for taking photographs which will do justice to the wonderful hues and contrasts to be found.

However, we cannot leave it at that and have therefore used some of previous years' pictures to (we hope) adequately illustrate the charms of St Agnes (right) and Bryher (below)  - although no such album can possibly say it all !

What images we did capture this year were largely for the purpose of our records, featuring as they do, among other things, the work being undertaken to improve access to both islands by renovating, extending and replacing various quays (the last two images to the right).

   It rather saddened us (and yet amused us a little) to hear a young lady at the quay, as we awaited the boat to take us back to St Mary's at the end of the trip, sadly bemoaning the fact that this particular area was in such a state because of the works -"it used to be so pretty", she said. Did she really not realise that in a couple of months or so, all would be as good as before, or better ?

      We were also delighted to find that the birds on the islands were tamer than ever and, at St Agnes it was even possible to feed them by hand  -- their table manners were impeccable!  For the first time, we had managed to acquire one of the famous Turk's Head pasties, and thoroughly enjoyed them - as did the birds !!

   Bryher

In common with the other islands, Bryher has some marvellous views and for this reason is excellent for walking, although perhaps it as

 one of the most demanding physically for those who wish to see it all, as there are a number of high points which are reached via steep paths -- the views from these are well worth the effort.

   The views afforded are very much contrasting, varying between the wilder parts of the coast, where the sea is very often turbulent - Hell Bay is the most famous - to the Tresco channel which presents a calmer and usually much more peaceful scene and is thus very popular as an anchorage for small craft.

   At some stage of our visit, we spend a little time in the garden of the Hell Bay Hotel which, with its pool and sympathetic planting, attracts a number of winged visitors also seeking refreshment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Boating Trips ...

As well as providing a ferry service to the inhabited off-islands the St Mary's Boatmen off other, longer, trips to allow visitors to Scilly to see more of the archipelago. These trips are of especial interest to those who gain a particular enjoyment in seeing wildlife of all kinds in their natural environment - what better place than here.

  Regular trips are run to the Western Islands, visiting the Bishop Rock Lighthouse which is at the furthest point west, the eastern Islands, and the 'Norrard' Rocks. Seals and Sea birds abound and it is interesting to note that the seals in particular appear to derive as much pleasure from observing the trippers as do we superior beings' in our quest for further knowledge.

These longer trips are, of course, dependant on the vagaries of the weather and it is unfortunate that, occasionally, the swell is heavier than some anticipated and that not everyone has as strong a stomach as they supposed!

A trip which is not always on offer but well worth the journey is a tour around the coast of St Mary's, which is visually interesting but greatly enhanced by the commentary, always full of information.

 

Evenings at St Mary's ...

Call us creatures of habit if you will, but we always change after dinner in order to stroll around St Mary's at evening, taking the camera if there is any prospect of a reasonable sunset or at least clear visibility in good light (this is the case most nights).

For sunset scenes we head for the Garrison (where,of course, the most dominant building is the 16th century Star Castle, which is now a highly rated hotel), the Quay or the Buzza - this year we were unlucky with the latter and have no images to display -- but there's always next year.

When we go up to the Garrison at evening, we often take a walk west along the footpath, in the direction of St Agnes. This is a very peaceful walk and is the more enjoyable because we know that even on the darkest nights we are in  no danger of coming to harm - there is almost no crime on Scilly

We always visit the Quay and harbour before retiring to one of the excellent St Mary's pubs for a final nightcap. All the pubs have there own distinctive character and are highly recommended.