10%

Scilly times

A family trip away

By Sarah Rajabalee

June 21^st, 2015

We started in the dark at Paddington and arrived to the sun shining in Cornwall. The overnight train took eight hours to get to Penzance. It was a noisy, rocky trip. The train shunted from time-to-time, rolled and tilted according to the tracks while I drifted in and out of sleep. The end destination - St Mary’s - was 28 miles away and we would need a ferry to get there.

We awoke the next morning to a knock at the door and was presented with our tea and singular croissant which I discarded on the account that it was too early in the morning for me to eat anything. We made our way to the ferry terminal, our luggage rolling noisily behind us and waited for the boat to collect us.

I knew the Isle of Scilly was part of the UK and was somewhere over to the west of England but never thought of it as a holiday destination. I suggested a holiday for myself, mum and brother as we hadn’t been away for a while. The Isle of Scilly came up in conversation at work and after a quick Google, booked the tickets and away we went.

As we left the Cornish coast, a dolphin was busy catching it’s breakfast. As soon as I got my camera out, the dolphin swam out of sight and popped up behind the boat, taunting me for not being quick enough.

The Scillonian III took three hours to get to St Mary’s. It felt longer for my mum. She didn’t travel well. The sky might look tranquil, but it the sea beneath us was anything but. I found my brother snoozing face down on the coach in the cafe at the back of the boat. While I was on top deck, I overheard a lady telling a passenger that she sedated her dog for the trip and it wasn’t working. I decided to walk away to the other side of the boat. I didn’t fancy getting dog sick on myself.

After settling into our hotel, we decided to explore the island. We still had the rest of the day. Having no plan, and a very basic map of the island, we followed a path along the coast. After a dead end, we came across out first bay. The mica in the sand shimmered in the sun. I still don’t know why the sand was black.
Further along we came across the Harry’s Wall, built in 1552-53. When King Henry VIII broke away from Rome, England was left vulnerable. He ordered a chain of artillery forts and blockhouses to be built along the south coast to prevent attack from France and Spain. This site was was meant to be an artillery castle but was deemed unsuitable as it didn’t offer the best protection so was left unfinished. Still, it gave a great view of the harbour.

The Isle of Scilly is part of the Dutchy of Cornwall’s estate and has been since the 14th century. We passed several containers with D of C stamped over it as we continued along the path. I think they were rebuilding some of the sea defences.

The islands are home to a variety of wildlife and flowers and was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) back in 1975. It’s easy to see why. It has some stunning coastline and it was easy to forget that we were still in the UK. The Isle of Scilly Wildlife Trust helps protect the wildlife and their habitats and pays the unusual rent to the Dutchy of one daffodil per year.

Harry's Wall looking towards the harbour

We kept seeing this plant around the island but have no idea what it is.

Further on we stumbled across a ruined Iron Age village of Halangy Down and the Bants Carn burial chamber which was built during the Bronze Age. It had, again, a beautiful view where you can see nearby Tresco.

The Bronze Age burial chamber - Bants Carn

We decided to have a coffee stop. As soon as our cakes came, so did the sparrows. I was very surprised at how tame they were - and how they didn’t take no for an answer!