Thursday 18 June 2015

Ferry Trip and arrving on St.Martin's Island - Isles of Scilly Jun 2015

Mon 15th June - The Scillonian III

We were up early, leaving the welcome overnight Travel Lodge ay Hayle and down to Penzance - there was little traffic at 6.45am!
After a last minute sort in the car park (off loading any rubbish) we went onto the small quay and off-loaded our camping and holiday bags. This year there is a 20kg restriction on each bag so we have brought more bags - and they are easier for all to handle.

The ferry trip over was most pleasant and we were soon on the St.Martin's Campsite with Caroline and Ben who run it in a friendly, helpful and efficient manner.
These are the photos of the trip and setting up!

This is our boat over to the Isles!
 
No - only kidding - our passenger ferry is the Scillonian III

I saw this Co-op Lorry delivering to the freight quay - goods over to the main island of St.Mary's 
 

This is the freight vessel that brings the heavy freight over to the Isles - the distance is about 26 miles and everything needs to be shipped (or flown, eg the papers) hence the increased cost of everything! 

Queuing up to get on the ferry

We sat on the lower aft deck and so could watch the crewhands work the ropes - considerably larger than ours on the canal boat!

Laying in the ropes ready for docking again

A view back to the quay as we leave for a month!

Happy to be on our way at last - after considerable planning and logistics - all going well!

Arriving at Hugh Town Quay at St.Mary's - a diving platform for the work on the new quay extension

The crane rig. We were told that when the existing Scillonian III reaches it's retirement, they are building a larger island ferry and hence need an extension to the present quay 

The crewhand uses the power capstan to pull the docking hawser tight

The 'off island' passenger boats line up to collect the luggage

The 'Voyager' for St.Martin's is on the outside

A view of the Scillonian III

This tug was holding station - presumable the support vessel for the diving work

Ah! Here is our boat - "2 singles to St.Martin's please?" £9.20

 

This is our stuff for a month - ready to pitch camp in a new position this time.
And the bonus is it's a sunny afternoon!

1 comment:

  1. Hi both not sure I've posted you a comment before or not.
    But following with great interest as my wife Karen and I went to St Mary's for our honeymoon 26 years ago and have returned with our children 4 times 1999 (the eclipse year) to 2005 then we had a gap of 9 years until returning for our silver wedding anniversary last year.
    We truly love it there hoping to return next year.
    A month sounds fab camping not so fab!
    Enjoy folks.
    Ade

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