I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to resume my travel diaries from my cruise. But, actually seeing these glorious images when the weather is so bleak is actually very restorative for me, so I hope it is for you too!
The 9th day was the day I was most looking forward to. The Isles of Scilly have long held a beguiling charm for me from images I have seen, books I have read by Michael Morpurgo,travel posts and because of a certain Scilly-based blogger who I was to meet!
On this morning, I woke up really excited. This was the first stop we had made which was an anchorage so we couldn't just walk ashore, we had to get a tender, (why it's called that I don't know!) which is basically getting into a motorboat, to get to shore.
It was looking a bit grey so Mum and I donned our rain coats and got into the boat.
Bye, bye Magellan!
On board, we saw our lovely friends, John and Miriam!
St Mary's was in front of us, looking beautiful!
As we reached the shore, we headed straight off to the St Mary's boatman kiosk to buy tickets to get a boat to Tresco.
The boat arrived at 10am and we joined a large queue. Luckily, we managed o get on and a dog settled down on Mum's feet!
The sea was fairly gentle and there seemed to be a lot of vessels on the water.
At Tresco, we arrived at the port on the New Grimsby port.
It was a pleasant walk across the island. We took in some beautiful beaches and Agapanthus plants everywhere!
Stopping for a moment, we spotted this pretty little fellow sitting on a bench.He didn't mind us at all.
Our destination was the Abbey Gardens which boast an amazing variety of tropical plant life!
There were certainly many weird and wonderful species to see!
This blue bridge was right at the start and we saw no reason at first to linger until...
We noticed a red squirrel!!!
Apparently these beautiful critters were introduced to the island around 2 years ago as there are no natural predators for them there. These were the boldest, most camera-happy red squirrels I have ever met!
We were utterly delighted by them and spent ages observing their merry antics
I loved catching this 'Daylight robbery'* moment (*this was a TV programme about Squirrels in the 80's or 90's)
This photo below made me laugh! The way he was clutching the top of the feeder box, looking so orange!
Eventually, we tore ourselves away from SQUIRREL TV and went to explore the gardens. We only spent around an hour and a half there and we could have spent much longer, there was so much to see. It was labyrinthine in structure
Aside from the posing squirrels, there were other delightful creatures to see.
Here's Mum trying to capture a photo!
I was photographing this ornamental fountain when a streak of red appeared in the picture...
Yes, that would be yet another photogenic red squirrel!
Continuing onwards, it was difficult to limit what I photographed. Everything was HUGE or brightly coloured or unusual-looking. I wish I could name some varieties for you but I cannot!
This beautiful folly appeared in front of us.
Its beautiful shell decoration was painstakingly put together.
Here's Mum looking fabulous and comfy in her patchwork trousers!
I enjoyed the paint-splattered effect of these tiny flowers.
The stigma or stamens of this flower were almost furry!
This tall umbrella-like plant was most unusual!
The views along paths were really beautiful. I enjoyed looking around a corner or along a path seeing what might come next!
We ranged from enormous to tiny in a matter of metres.
As we walked along this path, I ran my hand along these shrubs and they were feather-like in their feel!
The joy of seeing such huge plants was that you could really get you head in and have a look at them!
This tall tree reminded me of the Gruffalo in tree form!
This was enormous!
There were some beautiful ideas like this!
I wish I knew what these were!
Creeping through twisty-trees.
Promenading past lofty branches.
The Abbey gardens were a real joy with hidden gems and I wholeheartedly recommend you go to Tresco and see them.
As we finished, Mum grabbed a cup of tea and I bought CBC some Squirrel cufflinks and myself a Squirrel pin-badge as our tradition is to buy something with squirrels on when we see a red squirrel.
That was only 1.5 hours of our day, next, coming up was our adventure meeting the wonderful
Anna Parkes for the more delights of the island!!!
Have you been to Tresco?
xxx
Wow! Looks like you had a fabulous day. Love the photos, never been but I want to now
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxx
What a lovely day! Hi squirrel :-)
ReplyDeleteI have been to the Scilly Isles when we were staying in Cornwall once when I was about 9 or 10. I *think* it was Tresco we went to (by helicopter!) but I don't remember anything about the island - only the helicopter ride!
lovely pictures and what a fabulous place. i haven't seen a red squirrel in YEARS and was beginning to wonder if there were any left at all. <3
ReplyDeleteAwww, the red squirrels!! They look so cute and it's amazing you were able to see them doing so many things. I like the blue bridge and the colourful birds. I would love to visit those gardens, are stunning. x
ReplyDeleteThe red squirrel, the friendly dog and those colourful birds! What a delight Tresco looks. xxx
ReplyDeleteRED SQUIRRELL!!! How exciting!
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't been to Tresco but my brother and his family have several times and love it. The shell decorated folly is incredible and the gardens superb.
ReplyDeleteI am so amazed, dear Kezzie, this post is fantastic, Abbey Garden is so beautiful! The flowers were amazing, I never ever saw flowers like those and the birds were Ok with posing :) The red squirrels, sooo sweet and you caught one jumping - or flying! Really incredible, what for a great stroll! I have to confess that sometimes my eyes play tricks - I am very shortsighted and I read Tesco all the time and thought "what does the supermarket have to do with the garden?" till I finally saw Tresco and felt like an idiot... :) Or at least, a shortsighted fool :) I hope you have a very nice week ahead, Kezzie!
ReplyDeleteDenisesPlanet.com
Thanks for taking me to the Isles of Scilly and Tresco Gardens, Kezzie. I've always wanted to go there, but now, after I've seen your photographs, even more so. It is utterly fabulous and I am just a tiny bit jealous ... xxx
ReplyDeleteI had no idea where these islands were so I googled them - What a wonderful place to visit! I want to go, too! I was reminded of when my daughter and I visited the Isle of Skye and toured the Dunvegan gardens -- not the castle, because I think we were too late, but the gardens with their gigantic rhododendrons and other plants. Thank you for a vicarious tag-along for one of my favorite activities!
ReplyDeletewhat a magical place! I'm blown away....you took so many fantastic shots. The landscape and the plants are very impressive, but my fav shots are those of animals...How lovely was that colourful bird!
ReplyDeleteDearest Kezzie, you've done a marvellous job showcasing the Abbey Gardens here. I really need to take lessons from you. I suppose when you have something on your doorstep you kinda take it for granted and that's poor on my part. Anyway our marketing team will no doubt be very grateful for this exposure. I still haven't managed to get as many photos of the red squirrels as you did - those leaping ones were fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week x
Anna
It's so funny that we were on Scilly at the same time! Love your photos :) I'd definitely recommend going back for a longer holiday to explore the other islands!
ReplyDeleteLiz x
What a treat seeing the red squirrels, they look like they could have kept you entertained all day!
ReplyDeleteLove the array of flowers you got to see and share with us too.
Lisa