( Overview
/ Two Scilly Bullocks on a Boat
The route through the islands dries at low tide, but saves the much longer, and rougher trip around the outside. A twisty route carefully following charts and navigational marks to avoid the vicious looking rocks.
Incredibly shallow, and disconcerting to see rocks below us in the clear water.
We did ground once on a bump of sand, but of course we have a lifting keel…
Going across the main bay in the middle of the island we went past a shipwreck and around the tip of Gugh. The rocks have interesting names like Dropnose Rock, Great Wingletang and Cuckolds Ledge; much more imaginative than the towns with names like Old Town, New Town, High Town and Low Town!
After a rough sea and a rocky coastline, The Cove between St Agnes and Gugh is calm and sandy….
….in the middle.
The cove was empty apart from another yacht, but we were soon joined by a pirate ship.
Actually Pilgrim of Brixham BM45, a heritage sailing trawler launched in 1895. It is the oldest surviving sailing trawler that was built and rigged in the yard of J. W. & A. Upham in Brixham. She was one of hundreds of Victorian trawlers that worked out of Brixham in the late 19th century.
As we plan another long passage tomorrow, Kevin checked the boat and engine. With the shallow water and beaching, the water filter (the engine is cooled by pumping sea water through), was full of kelp.
I spent a lot of the day struggling to get internet to do some work and the blog. One attempt was to hang my phone from the boom to pick up 4G and use as a hot spot.
As the tide came in we could see more of the other side of the sand bar into Porth Conger.
Landing on the sand bar between The Cove and Porth Conger.
Changing shoes.
Needing power and internet to continue working, we headed for the pub; they are very good about charging phones etc for sailors.
The Turks Head is another quirky pub. Most of the shops, cafes and bars here are staffed by university students for the summer, this one by a Leicester undergraduate who is sleeping in a tent. No complaints, though, as a fun community of youngsters staying on the islands during the summer.
The ferry quay in Porth Conger. With the wind in a different direction, this would be a better anchorage, but in south or westerly winds The Cove is considered to be very good shelter.
The Scillonian heading for Penzance at the Bartholomew Ledges Wreck which we had passed earlier. This wreck, found in the 1970s and believed to be a mid 16th to early 17th century armed cargo vessel, was salvaged intensely until 1980 when salvage became prohibited under the designation of the wreck.
Porth Conger.
A swim before diving (a little more elegantly this time) into the dinghy and back on board for supper. We’ve really enjoyed some salad leaves we bought from one of the roadside stalls in Tresco.
Seabirds fly above this rock and constantly call out. The oyster catchers are particularly vocal, especially when another bird or human dare to venture nearby.
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