The Isles of Scilly

Wow, I can hardly believe it but we are sitting on a pub terrace overlooking St Mary's Bay in Hugh Town, the 'capital' of the Isles of Scilly. Our boat, Kindred Spirit II is moored on a visitor buoy and presumably as a side effect of the pandemic, basically with no foreign visitors, we have just managed to book a table for this evening at one of the best restaurants on the Isles. We seem to have managed one side of the UK, admittedly it is not the longest side but having decided to go clockwise it is the one that goes against the prevailing wind. It is 3rd June 2021.

Having copped out yesterday due to the threat of thunder storms we faced steady westerly winds today and some 'wind over tide' for the first few hours. Our trip across was mainly motor sailing against the wind but once the Isles were clearly in view and the sun came out we started to sail properly and the engine was silenced. We arrived earlier than planned and so due to local tides decided to tackle the quirky 'Crow' channel with some incoveniently placed rocks and a sand bar that is notorius for grounding yachties. Mark sailed around all the obstacles, beating against the wind, and we arrived at St Mary's Pool and Hugh Town Harbour in full sail and splendid style. Pete concentrated on re-reading the warnings of rocks in the pilot in an increasingly louder voice although his one useful contribution was to whip out the 'Monocular' (I checked what these devices are called with others in the bar, and according to local islander Robert this is the correct nautical term) to confirm which side of a particular marker post we had to go.

The view from the boat moored at the Isles of Scilly


We have had a very friendly welcome in the Isles of Scilly and I unreservedly apologise for referring to them as the Silly Islands for the last few days, apparently that does not go down well with the locals.



Now we will enjoy a couple of 'rest days' sailing to different places within the Isles to find the nicest beach. Its a tough boomer old men sailing gig...



 Robe

Comments

  1. Unknown4 June 2021 at 11:56

    Well done - St Agnes and Bryher can be recommended, once you are done with the fleshpots of St Mary's

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nina Fedorski6 June 2021 at 14:14

    Sounding like a gastronomic tour not proper sailing. We're shocked.

    ReplyDelete

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