Today was our “ exploring St Marys day”. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a Scilly cart ( electric golf buggy with number plate) as they were all booked up. … So we had to settle for the community bus and walking. Beforehand, we topped up with more water, and managed to buy a telegraph from Mumfords. Also a few more things from the wonderful coop! We put them all back in the dinghy and set out for the bus which was going at 1230. We could have gone all round the island on it but that appeared to only take 17 minutes, so we opted to get out at the furthest point, and walk back. The driver was a good sort who had a sign above him saying “ your drivers name is Steve, but his friends call him The porpoise….. and none knows why “. 🤔 we got off and walked to Watermill cove on the SE side of the island. The roads were tarmac for a change and extremely quiet. Hedgerows and small fields adjoining them. Birds and butterflies in abundance. We made our way off the metalled road, down a track to Watermill. It’s a cove which we haven’t managed to get to in the boat but is s favourite anchorage. We sat on a rock on the beach and ate our picnic. It was calm. The wind was in the west. Trekking back up to the coast path, we got fantastic views down into the bay and across to the East. There was a round the island yacht race today, and we could see the sails in the distance. We walked along the grassy bracken lined paths, along stone walls and past weathered wooden farm gates. We trudged across a sandy beach below a campsite…. but even this didn’t make it busy. Up from the beach on a sandy track we found a lovely cafe where we had a pot of tea for two! We watched the sparrows devouring every morsel left on plates abandoned on tables. One would never have thought they would like stuff like coleslaw but it seems they’re not fussy and obviously seem to have adapted well and be flourishing on leftovers! We eventually got back to Hugh town, making our way through Old Town, and then climbing the steep hill on the other side to garrison…. the site of the 16 th century medieval castle that has been tuned into the Starcastle hotel. The bar is set in the dungeon which is amazing but still smelt musty… so we took our drinks outside to the ramparts. The castle is built of granite, so is incredibly well preserved for its age. Eventually we got back to the boat and had a quick change before getting in the dinghy once more and going over to Portmellon beach to a restaurant called “The Beach “ . We had fantastic food and a memorable evening. It was fun to go out to dinner on the dinghy!
What I learned today….. that a crawfish is another name for a spiny lobster. “ an edible crustacean, with spiny shell and long heavy antennae, but lacking the typical claws of a true lobster” Julian ate half a one for supper.
Sue x
A quiet day in Hugh Town 
Community bus 
Watermill cove 
Cafe sparrow 
Livestock! 
The garrison 
Angelique 