Isles of Scilly For photographs scroll down to bottom
April 2008
with Jill Atkinson and Grenville Jones
Tuesday 22 April.
Arrived on St Mary’s. First day is always tough for the leaders. Big shop in the Co-op.
Reflection on the day: The Co-op reminds me of God. It doesn’t change: We even recognize some of the staff from last time.
Wednesday 23 April.
St
George’s Day spent on St Mary’s. A day of flowers, burial chambers,
sun, sky and sea – deep blue sea. Ladies’ Gig racing in the evening.
Reflection on the day: Sense of community is very strong on the Scillies; we are losing it on mainland UK.
Thursday 24 April.
Rough
sea voyage to St Agnes. Phyllis lost her hat overboard but boatman Paul
rescued it. Sun shone as we drank at the Turk’s Head. Visited the ‘Old
Man of Gugh’ and found the Troy Town Maze on Agnes (photo 4). Walked
on Wingletang Down, a favourite spot on the Scillies. Later crossed to
Bryher.
Reflection on the day: Today there were two old men on Gugh.
Friday 25 April.
Abbey
Gardens in Tresco. Saw a display of figureheads salvaged from ships
wrecked on Scilly. One was of a saint carrying a large cross. Supper was
local fish and chips with scrumptious ‘Troy Town’ ice cream as dessert.
Later walked the ‘Garrison’ to see the sunset. Sun was obscured by
cloud just as it approached the horizon.
Reflection on the day: Put not your faith in fancy figureheads. Your ship might still sink.
Saturday 26 April.
Humphrey Lyttleton has died but the weather is fine and we are off to St Martin’s. Heard a cuckoo. Led Pilgrim worship in St Martin’s Church and then walked to the Daymark (painted like a barber’s pole - photo 2). Returned to St Mary’s via Eastern Isles; seals really close.
Reflection on the day: ‘I’m sorry I haven’t a clue’ will never be the same.
Sunday 27 April.
At last a day of relaxation. Went to Church in Hugh Town and walked round Penninis Head to Old Town in the afternoon.
Reflection on the day: Epitaph of a Scillonian buried in Old Town cemetery. ‘There I was - gone’.
Monday 28 April.
Free
day and fine weather. Walked to interior of St Mary’s with Jill and
then lunched at Porthhellick Bay where the body of Sir Cloudesley
Shovell was washed up in 1707. Saw a council worker with a lawn mower.
Does he intend to mow the whole island?
Reflection on the day: It has been a good week with excellent weather. But thoughts turn to home.
Tuesday 29 April.
Rain! We have survived. It has been hard work but only the good memories will remain.
Grenville JonesTOP
1 Two old men at Gugh
2 Daymark, St Martin's.
3 Seascape
4 Maze at TroyTown, St AgnesTOP