( Overview
/ Two Scilly Bullocks on a Boat
A beautiful morning, but the boat was continually rocking because of the swell, and therefore difficult to do anything on board. Mike, the harbour master, who came instead of Reece this morning, said this type of swell was unusual. Normally St Mary’s is protected in southerly winds.
Nothing for it, but to take the dinghy ashore and have a swim.
Still quite cold, but positively balmy compared to Ireland. I also provided the morning’s entertainment for the rowers and customers at the Beach cafe. The only way I could get into the dinghy was to dive in head first, with legs flailing. Of course, I was then laughing so much, I couldn’t move.
We then went over to the harbour offices where they have showers. The quay was teeming with new arrivals off Scillonian III, with buses and other vehicles collecting people and baggage. A very busy terminal.
We then set off for Old Town.
We walked across Lower Moors, run by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, is a patchwork of mire, reedbed, wet woodland and open pools and wetland.
A taxi rank? As well as cars these buggies are used for transport in the island, and are also rented out to tourists.
Old Town is thought to be the oldest settlement on the island. In medieval times it was the main harbour and settlement. St Mary’s Island was known as Ennor and Old Town as Porth Ennor. Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, and his wife, often stayed in a simple plain bungalow, called Lowenva, here.
A pint at the Old Town Inn where we met a couple from Exeter who are staying on the island for a few days. Very interesting to hear about their travels around the world, particularly Kenya.
St Mary’s Old Church was built during the 12th century with rebuilding carried out in the 1660s and further improvements made in 1743. By the 19th century the church had become derelict and was restored. Notably Harold and Mary Wilson are buried in the graveyard.
Peninnis Lighthouse, built in 1911 was built to replace the lighthouse in the middle of St Agnes. It is 14 metres tall.
The millstone and foundations of Peninnis Head windmill which was demolished in 1960.
Growing in abundance, we’re not sure what these fruit are. They have black seeds inside.
St Mary’s Church in Hugh Town was consecrated in 1838, and replaced the church at Old Town which was inconvenient for the population and needed repair.
We ate at On the Quay, where, for some peculiar reason, despite having plenty of lovely staff, there is also a robot serving food. Very much a gimmick, and a useless one at that!
Returning to Avalon, she was still rolling in the swell, so we made plans to move to an anchorage in the morning.
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