Isles of Scilly, England
Endeavour approached the small, granitic islands of the Isles of Scilly early this morning in brilliant sunshine. The scene was almost tropical, for this island archipelago, some 30 miles southwest from the coast of Cornwall receives relatively warm weather because the Gulf Stream current works its way over here, and because of the white sands and shallow depths, the waters appear turquoise.
We boarded the local launch boat just after breakfast and took a short ride over to the Island of Tresco, and it was here that we visited the magnificent Tresco Abbey Gardens, begun in 1834 on the site of a 10th century Benedictine abbey. In all, the gardens are home to over 20,000 exotic plants from over 80 countries including many succulent species (pictured here) from South Africa and Australia, and many hundreds of more lush vegetation from South America and New Zealand. Several varieties of passerine (song) birds inhabit the gardens, and many of them were quite bold and had no fear in approaching us.
In the afternoon we visited the charming village of Hugh Town, the capital of the Isles of Scilly, on St. Mary’s Island. Most of us took a leisurely stroll out to the dramatic granitic boulders at Peninis Point, while others had time for sightseeing and a little shopping in the quaint and colorful shops around the harbor area. A highlight of the day was watching the multi-national crews ready their sleek, colorful, traditional 6-oared boats for the championship races taking place over the next few days. Sailing away from the Isles of Scilly toward Ireland, we couldn’t help but watch in awe as the rowing teams skillfully headed out to sea.
Endeavour approached the small, granitic islands of the Isles of Scilly early this morning in brilliant sunshine. The scene was almost tropical, for this island archipelago, some 30 miles southwest from the coast of Cornwall receives relatively warm weather because the Gulf Stream current works its way over here, and because of the white sands and shallow depths, the waters appear turquoise.
We boarded the local launch boat just after breakfast and took a short ride over to the Island of Tresco, and it was here that we visited the magnificent Tresco Abbey Gardens, begun in 1834 on the site of a 10th century Benedictine abbey. In all, the gardens are home to over 20,000 exotic plants from over 80 countries including many succulent species (pictured here) from South Africa and Australia, and many hundreds of more lush vegetation from South America and New Zealand. Several varieties of passerine (song) birds inhabit the gardens, and many of them were quite bold and had no fear in approaching us.
In the afternoon we visited the charming village of Hugh Town, the capital of the Isles of Scilly, on St. Mary’s Island. Most of us took a leisurely stroll out to the dramatic granitic boulders at Peninis Point, while others had time for sightseeing and a little shopping in the quaint and colorful shops around the harbor area. A highlight of the day was watching the multi-national crews ready their sleek, colorful, traditional 6-oared boats for the championship races taking place over the next few days. Sailing away from the Isles of Scilly toward Ireland, we couldn’t help but watch in awe as the rowing teams skillfully headed out to sea.
