Friday 3^rd August – Tresco, Isles of Scilly

49:57.484N 6:20.822W

This morning we were up early to catch the ferry to St Mary’s for the day. 

The first thing Richard did was test the engine to see if all was OK; unfortunately it was not and, following another call to the supplier, we now have to send the external regulator unit back so that they can investigate.  In the meantime we revert to the internal, less flashy, regulator on the alternator - so we can still use the engine thank goodness.

We dinghied to New Grimsby on Tresco just in time to catch the ferry.  The ferry went via the islands of Bryher and Samson (uninhabited) on the way to St Mary’s.  By the time it arrived at St Mary’s, the weather was trying to warm up, but never quite made it.  We wandered around Hugh Town, St Mary’s ‘capital’, and had a pleasant lunch at a local pub overlooking the harbour.

We then checked out the chandlery and co-op before getting on a bus that went around the island (only took 20 minutes to go round) before getting the ferry back.  The ferry went via the islands of St Martins, Tresco (Old Grimsby on the other side to us) and Bryher on the return trip to New Grimsby so we have now discovered a few more places to explore. 

As we left St Mary’s, low cloud with a light drizzle rolled in across the islands rapidly cutting down visibility and making it feel colder.  Things were very grey by the time we landed back on Tresco.  Fortunately it brightened up a little after a walk down to the shop.

Our dinghy was still dried out up the beach as we had arrived at high tide in the morning (dry landing against the steps - v. good).  In an attempt to keep our feet dry, we carried the dinghy to the water’s edge and sat and waited for it to float on the now fast in-coming tide.  However, we started to feel a bit stupid just sitting there getting cold, so we gave up and launched it properly.

Now back on board we are warming up and preparing to have dinner.  It’s supposed to be summer in this hemisphere isn’t it?