Wednesday 1^st August – Tresco, Isles of Scilly

49:57.484N 6:20.822W

Today we took the dinghy ashore to visit Tresco. 

We landed at low water nearby in New Grimsby.  It was a ‘wet’ landing - that is to say, as there is no landing pontoon for dinghies, just a sandy shore with the tide well out, it was necessary to get out of the dinghy into the water to get ashore. 

We arrived at the same time as another couple on their dinghy and so each of us helped the other carry the dinghies high up the beach so they wouldn’t float off as the tide came in.  We tied our painter to the top of the harbour wall with the dinghy many feet below, and off we went.

From the corner we could see a yacht fully dried out on its side having run aground trying to cross the Tresco Flats - pleased to report that they have managed to refloat on this evening’s high tide.

With the current Spring tides people were able to walk across the sand between Tresco and Bryher.

We went to have a wander around the Tresco Abbey Gardens.  These are a sub-tropical botanical garden with species from South Africa, Chile, Australia to name but a few.  The gardens were lovely, full of colour, and we had glorious weather all day. 

On our return, we called at the pub for a small beverage as the tide hadn’t quite reached our dinghy to set it afloat (not a bad excuse, eh?).

When we got back to Pyxis, Richard wanted to see if he could get the dinghy on the plane if he opened it up.  So, leaving me on board, he motored off to an empty bay a small distance away and made it less quiet by opening up the engine and proving that it will go up onto the plane and that it really does go.  This seemed to start a trend as we noticed that a few other dinghies took their owners over to the same bay to try the same trick once Richard had returned.  Boys and their toys!

Once back on Pyxis, we had dinner on board.  Whilst eating we were a little perturbed by a neighbouring boat passing by dragging its anchor.  Fortunately after a few boat lengths it seems to have reset itself and is holding – the owners have now returned at long last and are re-anchoring.

Now enjoying the evening sunset.