Tuesday 15th September 2020 On our last morning in Tresco we awoke to low-lying mist and poor visibility and the knowledge that our helicopter flight was likely to be delayed. The mist cleared on the Isles of Scilly by about eleven. However the mist lingered considerably longer on the mainland so four of us spent the majority of the waiting time in glorious sunshine in the cafe at the Abbey Gardens where we saw some beautiful, but camera-shy, red squirrels. The other two members of our bubble had caught a high speed boat to St Mary’s, stopping to view basking grey seals on their way to catch a plane to Land’s End. They too had to fill in time which they did playing cards. We kept in touch as announcements were made and rumours spread and in the end the plane flight from St Mary’s was cancelled and two caught the Scillonian while four of us, after a six hour delay, travelled to Penzance by helicopter and . . . . . . enjoyed the views then . . . . . . passed over the Scillonian and waved. The helicopter also provides a good aerial view of St Michael’s […]
2020 Tresco
Tuesday 8th to Tuesday 15th September 2020 We decided to take advantage of the recently reinstated helicopter service for the last leg of the journey. The views from the helicopter are fantastic and it was such a pleasure to step out onto Tresco once again. Of course, Robert had to reacquaint himself with the New Inn, at the earliest opportunity. We have never been disappointed in the Isles of Scilly. Despite the limitations imposed by Covid restrictions, this trip to Tresco has been blessed by some beautiful sunny days and great company. This year’s highlights, although not always captured photographically, have included several picturesque pubs with panoramic views. The view from The Ruin Inn, Tresco, towards the Blockhouse and on to St Martins on the left is one of Robert’s all-time favourite bar views. We all enjoyed the mode of transport between islands and . . . . . . the sun, sea and sand. The Scillies feature many sweeping, sandy bays and this is the one next to to the cottage where we stay. One day we took the boat to the isle of St Agnes and found that the tide had uncovered what felt like a narrow tropical […]
Monday 7th September 2020 We had booked to go to the Eden Project in the afternoon to allow time for our daughter and her friend to make an early start and drive down to join us there. That morning we decided to take a scenic stroll before returning to the car and headed towards the castle and down to Readymoney Beach. This is a delightfully sheltered cove owned by the National Trust and the clear water and sandy beach would make it the ideal spot for a swim if time allowed. The walk to the castle is not accessible at high tide and as the tide was rising and Eden was beckoning, we will save this for another visit. We also stopped at Charlestown on the way and this proved to be an unexpected treat. Construction of the Georgian harbour and dock started in 1791 and the natural inlet was excavated to create a main dock and a shipyard. Initially copper and then china clay was transported via the port and it remained largely unchanged during the twentieth century. Its historical charm means it has been used as a location in several period film and TV dramas, most notably Taboo […]
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September 2020 On our way from Exeter to Fowey [pronounced to rhyme with “joy”] we stopped in Bodmin at a garden centre for an al fresco coffee with a dear friend, Angela: we refrained from using the words “old friend” but we used to visit her on our way down to Tresco with our daughters almost 20 years ago. The intervening years seemed to melt away and it was so lovely to catch up. We have promised each other “the same time next year” and hope to make it a regular event. From here we drove on to Fowey which is going to be the base for our forthcoming day trips to re-visit the Eden Project and see the Lost Gardens of Heligan for the first time. Fowey is a long-established port which has existed since before the Norman invasion and which is perched on steep cliffs on the estuary of the River Fowey itself. Robert had booked us into The Ship Inn near the harbour and had been advised to park in the main car park and walk to the town. Whilst this seemed an eminently sensible suggestion in the downwards direction, Matilda found she […]
Friday 4th September 2020 Initially, 2020 was scheduled to be the year we circumnavigated the northern hemisphere without flying but these plans had to be, first, adapted and then shelved completely in the face of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past several months therefore we have been the non-Travelling Herd apart from a few days away in Southwold in Alan the motorhome in August. Prior to lockdown, we had booked a week in Tresco on the Isles of Scilly and we are pleased that travel restrictions have now been lifted sufficiently for us to be able to go and support the beleaguered UK tourist industry. The 300 mile journey across to Tresco can be an adventure in itself with travel options from the mainland including the Scillonian ferry, a light aircraft or the helicopter. At various times, the members of our holiday bubble will be making use of all of these. The two of us decided to take a few days driving down to Penzance prior to our helicopter flight on Tuesday afternoon, taking in some more of the beautiful English countryside. On Friday, we drove slowly along the congested A303 past the majestic and iconic Stonehenge on our […]