Day 37: Hugh Town, St.Mary's to Old Grimsby Sound, Tresco

Monday 14th May
5nm

Rain, 0930 loading the Genoa onto the RIB for the short journey to the back of Hugh Town. Landing on the beach we trekked through the streets, 3 of us carrying the sail down the alleys to the sail loft.

Turned out to be the retail shop where traditional canvas bags, buckets and fisherman's smocks are made and sold. As we unravelled the sail the maker arrived from the other site on the harbour pier to assess the damage. A few hours work, we'd pick up the sail at high tide tomorrow.

An hour to explore the town, see all the gigs ashore, talk to my wife Libby at last! First time my navigation got me lost, in the small town I couldn't find my way back to the beach with the tender! 5 mins late, we returned to 'Wheal Go' to take high water to Tresco. After an hour, 5 miles, we anchored in Old Grimsby Sound for lunch and the night. As the rain eased the wind built from the west and north. Here to shelter from F6 & 7s tonight. With a bright afternoon all took the tender to the quay on this immensely picturesque island. A walk across the island to the site of C11th St.Nicholas Priory, now Tresco Abbey Gardens. With 30 mins to closing the 4 who walked didn't go in but still enjoyed mooching around the open spaces and visitor centre and shop. Some lovely sculptures in the gardens and some reflective mosaics: love, peace and happiness.

I took a fabulous lone coastal walk back to find the others all relaxing at a very nice beach bar overlooking the boat. The entrance decorated in lovely mosaics. It was strangely reassuring to see how much she was swaying whilst holding fast, on the yacht the movements feel more exaggerated.

Some returned to the boat to prepare supper, others moved on to the open evening with canapés at the art gallery for the Scilly Art Week. Took a photo of the mosaics covering the school and of the mosaic style art inside St.Nicholas Church (ideas for home?). An island of mosaics then, except none at the gallery; paintings and sculpture instead. An inspired bronze star fish for £5000 etc; a relief Libby forbade me from buying her any gifts, phew! Back for 2030 supper and a night to let the winds howl through.