In May 2014 Terri & I had a holiday in the Isles of Scilly with our very good friend, Helen, and her daughter, Eva (five years old at the time).
On the evening Friday, 23 May, Helen drove us in her car to the Travel Lodge hotel in Camborne, near Penzance: we spent the night there because, due to unusual tides, the ferry to St Mary's was leaving earlier than usual next morning. The rooms were very comfortable, yet cost only £30 each.
Early on Saturday morning 24th May we took the ferry to St Mary's, arriving at Hugh Town Quay at about noon. We went to our flat in Warleggan, Church St, where our luggage was delivered shortly after. We shopped at the Co-op later. We were very comfortable there too, sharing the self-catering flat as a close, happy family.
On Sunday 25th May we travelled to Tresco by boat, arriving at Carn Near Quay, then walked to Abbey Gardens where we had tea and cakes in the cafe but we didn't go into the gardens. We walked to the island shop then had lunch in the New Inn. While we were in the pub there was torrential rain then it rained a little as we walked through the woods round the island. In the afternoon we went to the Village Hall where there was supposed to be a craft fair, but it wasn't much of one. We left from New Grimsby Quay.
On Monday 26 May we took a bus to to Juliet's Garden on St. Mary's for lunch. As we were having lunch the sparrows landed on the tables then even on our hands to take food. We have several photographs of birds eating out of Terri's and Helen's hands. In one photograph Terri flinches, startling the bird - which looks like Donald Duck! Terri tried rose-geranium and liquorice ice cream from Troy Town farm that became her favourite. We walked back along the coast then spent the afternoon on Porthcressa beach.
On Tuesday 27 May we went by boat to Saint Agnes, our favourite island. It was warm and sunny. We landed at Quay Slip then At went to the The Cove beach on The Bar (sandbar) between the main island and Gugh; a beautiful white beach where we all paddled in the blue water. Terri bought some plants which she later planted at the lodge - they are still there. Near to the plant shop I took photographs of Terri wearing her blue dress, with some colourful flowers in the background. We had lunch at the Coastguards restaurant near the old Coast Guard tower tower then walked to the ice cream factory at Troy Town farm where Terry had rose-geranium & liquorice ice cream again. We went to the jetty via the church. As the others boarded the ferry early I went to the lavatory at the head of the Quay Slip but, unbeknown to me, the boat, being full, prepared to leave, to be replaced by another. As I sauntered along the quay I heard Terri, Helen and Eva shout for me to hurry: soon most of the passengers were chanting, "Come on Brian!" Very embarrassing!
On Wednesday, 28 May (my birthday) we went by boat to Bryher. This was the only day that Terri and Helen wore dresses. We noticed that we were towing a RHIB, then when we arrived, we had to clamber from the boat to the RHIB, which took us further inshore, then wade ashore near Church Quay: we had to take off our shoes and socks and the girls had to hitch up the dresses. We had tea at the expensive Hell Bay Hotel where we noticed that even the beehives matched the decor. We had lunch in the garden of the Fraggle Rock pub, along with the goat.
On Thursday 29 May we went by boat to Saint Martin's. We landed at Lower Town Quay, had lunch at the Seven Stones pub, then walked to Higher Town Quay. I took an earlier ferry back to St. Mary's as I had sore feet, the others returned a hour later.
On Friday, 30 May we took a bus ride around Saint Mary's Island on the vintage 007 bus (no MOT, no tax). We stopped near the golf club in Old Town for another ice cream.
On Saturday 31st of May we took a boat out to the famous Bishops Rock lighthouse; on the way we saw Puffins on the rocks. As the ferry returning to the mainland from St. Mary's was due to leave later than normal, we returned via Saint Agnes where we re-traced our footsteps of Tuesday. We took the ferry back to the mainland that evening, Helen driving us back to Picklecombe.
It was such a wonderful holiday that Terri and I wanted very much to repeat it. We, Terri, Helen, Ian (Helen's fiancé), Eva and I, travelled to St. Mary's by boat again on 27th May 2016. Unfortunately, on Saturday morning, 28th May (my 70th birthday), Terri became ill; we were taken by ambulance to St. Mary's hospital then at about noon she and I were flown back to the mainland in a Coastguard helicopter (a Sikorsky: about the size of a single-decker bus) which took 2- hours as we failed to land on Plymouth Hoe due to damage caused by excessive downdraught; we flew over Dartmoor to land in a school playing-field in Exeter from which the Police and Fire Brigade broke us out. From there, at my insistence, a land-ambulance took us back to Derriford hospital, arriving about 4pm. The helicopter ride was extremely uncomfortable as not only were we perched on tiny 'jump' seats, but, so as to hold Terri's head up, I had to stretch around both of our large life jackets and both of our enormous ear-defenders: I soon had cramp and was exhausted.
I feel content that I made Terri very happy with the first trip and did my best for her on the second.