The Scilly Isles

Lou dialysed on the Friday afternoon which gave her more time to recover ready for te trip across to St Mary's the next day. We left as soon as the gate to the harbour opened ( about 7:00) Wind started about F3 from the SW and gained as the day went on. The Scillonian passed us about 9 o clock.

We decided to go straight to St Agnes as we didn't have a lot of time for sight seeing before having to head back to the mainland.  Who should we find there.....Fusion. and crew.   After a quick saunter around the island we had a quick pint in the local hostelry before heading for St Mary's on the south anchorage.

We had our Evening meal in Blues restuarant which was excellent quality at an attractive price.  Greg's T bone steak was something else, it was huge.

Day 2 Sunday. 

The crew of Fusion joined us for the trip across to Tresco using the shallow draft of the catamaran to take the most direct route,  something that Fusion couldn't do and wouldn't have wanted to go round the "outside" route because of the heavy seas.

Once there we visited the tropical Gardens  Apart from all the plants and trees from all over the world there were lots of pheasants.

The best shot of the whole trip was this ornamental pheasant that let me get within a couple of feet. What a striking bird.  

The  beaches, were white course sand from the local granite rocks, and they were long and empty.

Oh and why were we there,  ah yes the Gig Racing,  watching from one of the beaches, It was an awesome sight with over 100 boats rowing across the bay, (click on the pictures to enlarge). We watched as they assembled to start their race.

The rest of the day was spent searching for shells  and coloured stones before meeting the others for the journey back to St Marys.

Trip to the Scilly Isles.

Not been blogging lately but there's a reason for that.  I've been sailing on Watanga.  We have travelled to the Scilly Isles and back, a total of 350 miles.  Starting Tuesday week ago and getting back at nearly midnight last wednesday. It's the longest stretch I have spent on the boat, in fact on any boat, in one go. The picture is of Greg readying the main sail on the tuesday morning 7 am.

Destination for the first day was Dartmouth and the trip took 12 hours, Dissappointingly we had had to motor all the the way.

Had a meal in "The Royal Castle Hotel", It was curry night and very nice it was too

The Entrance to Dartmouth wasn't quite the same in the morning.  When we left it was thick fog and we took it very slowly down the river expecting to have to wait for the fog to clear. However at the entrace to the river it just stopped and was like emerging through a set of curtains into clear air.  At 10:30 we put the sails up, the first opportunity to actually sail.  Nice and quiet without the motor.  Onward to Falmouth.  On arrival we have a meal on board and then off to meet up with the crew of "Fusion " for a couple of pints in the "Chain Locker". Very nice cosy atmosphere.

Day Three and it's off to Penzance Still not enough wind to sail, but have to reach Penzance to meet up with Louise.   Bit of a frightening moment when the engine stuck in forward gear.   Investigations found that it was the thottle lever mechanism that had partially siezed.  Managed to mend that once we were in the Harbour.  Louise was waiting on the quay all excited.  The Harbour Master was a very nice chap and very accomodating but it's not the easiest of places to stay in.  It's a working fishing harbour so a bit messy and we were put alongside a very big fishing vessel that we had to climb up and over. Fusion went to Newlyn just down the road but we met up in the "Dolphin Tavern" in Penzance for a meal.  It was about 2 miles for them and only 50 Yds away for us.  Result there!