There are five inhabited islands in the Isles of Scilly, St Mary’s (where we were staying), Tresco, St Agnes, St Martin's and Bryher.
We had visited the other four so as today was our last day in the Scillies we decided to visit Bryher. There are a number of other islands which serious bird watchers visit but as they don’t have pubs or restaurants we can’t see the point of going there.
So we joined the throng on the quayside, got on the right boat (called Golden Spray, a slightly dubious name since the accusations against Donald Trump) and off we went. It was low tide and we could feel the boat occasionally hit the bottom and then “Thud” we were grounded.
Everyone moved to the front of the boat to raise the propeller (pictured) and after a while the rising tide lifted us clear. Quite an exciting start to the day.
We walked round the island, it is much the same as all the others, nice beaches, rocky coves and wonderful sunshine then we rolled up in the local hotel just in time for lunch washed down with a nice bottle of wine – this is the life.
The return journey was uneventful.
One quirk we picked up yesterday, I mentioned that cars don't need an MoT but what about getting a licence. Apparently if enough people apply to take a driving test an examiner is sent over from the mainland. The examined, if they pass, get a licence which entiles them to tackle roundabouts, traffic lights, dual carriageways and motorways and to drive at more than 30mph none of which they have experienced before.
Unfortunately we catch the plane back to the mainland tomorrow so the next blog will be posted from Mousehole in Cornwall.