Animated Rocks (7)

The Isles of Scilly, situated 30 miles off the southwest tip of Cornwall, form an area of outstanding natural beauty. An interesting feature of the landscape is the number of granite outcrops that take on the form of naturally sculpted mysterious creatures or characters. The formation below has features reminiscent of a turtle,

Animated Rocks (6)

On the southern shores of Bryher (Isles of Scilly) you might encounter this strange rock formation/ My early reaction was that it possessed an ‘extra-terrestrial’ quality. I have known it henceforth as ‘E.T’!

Animated Rocks (5)

The Isles of Scilly, situated 30 miles off the southwest tip of Cornwall, form an area of outstanding natural beauty. An interesting feature of the landscape is the number of granite outcrops that take on the form of naturally sculpted mysterious creatures or characters. Below we have a ‘turtle# from Tresco (The rock is about 5/6 metres in reality) l

Animated Rocks (2)

The Isles of Scilly, situated 30 miles off the southwest tip of Cornwall, form an area of outstanding natural beauty. An interesting feature of the landscape is the number of granite outcrops that take on the form of naturally sculpted mysterious creatures or characters.

Animated rocks

The Isles of Scilly, situated 30 miles off the southwest tip of Cornwall, form an area of outstanding natural beauty. An interesting feature of the landscape is the number of granite outcrops that take on the form of naturally sculpted mysterious creatures or characters.

Season’s Greetings

SEASON’S  GREETINGS  to all.  I greatly appreciate your visits and hope you continue to enjoy what you find here. 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. I wish you good health, happiness and calmer waters in 2021

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At the water’s edge (4)

A maiden gathering winter fuel?

No. it’s a partially buried pebble and a strand of seaweed left on the beach at low tide!

Camera Painting

Flying Boat Club, Tresco

The need to protect the Western Approaches to the UK has been a constant challenge throughout history  (See: https://lagill6.wordpress.com/2018/11/09/cromwells-castle/  ).  Although Tresco is a very small island (little more than 2 miles x 1 mile) from 1917 -1919 it was the base for a small group of flying boats as part of the Royal Navy Air Service.  The function of these planes was to protect the  Approaches from attack by U-boats and to provide escort for convoys.  The crews received several decorations in recognition of their services.  n 1918 the small squadron be came No. 234 Squadron of the Royal Air Force.

The area that was once the base has been converted into the Flying Boat Club complete with restaurant, bar and health spa facilities.  The swimming pool area is decorated with a  delightful mural capturing aspects of life in the early years of the last century.

Cromwell’s Castle

 

The strategic importance of the channel between Tresco and Bryher in theIsles of Scilly in the defence of the British Isles has been recognised across the centuries.  In 1550, during the reign of Edward VI a small artillery fortress  was built on the high ground of Tresco.  Its purpose was to defend the harbour of New Grimsby.  At the beginning of the Civil War it was garrisoned by Royalist troops.  It later became known as King Charles’s Castle.

However, the site of the fortress was considered unsuitable and when the Parliamentarians gained power a new artillery tower was built on the rocky shore in 1651.  Its purpose was to defend against all threats  –  notably, at that time, from the Dutch.

(See also:  https://lagill6.wordpress.com/2018/11/01/room-with-a-view/)

Room with a view

 

During our recent holiday on Tresco, one of the Isles of Scilly, we were fortunate to have accommodation that looked out across the channel separating Tresco from Bryher.   The crossing of the channel at the times of the Spring tides was shown in an earlier post.  (See    https://lagill6.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/spring-tide-adventurers/)

The first photo shows the view from the lounge  The second and third were taken from the patio and show the views to the left and right.   In the second photo it is just possible to see the top of the steps leading from the patio to the beach/

 

 

Early Autumn among the dunes of Tresco

 

 

 

 

 

 

More from the gareden

 

 

11

Prima Donna and chorus line

It’s a buoy!

Natural tapestry

There seems to be a suggestion of tapestry design in this image of lichen photographed on a rock on St Agnes in the Isles of Scilly.  The natural pattern is recorded as found.  The only licence taken has been the removal of the texture of the granite rock to reveal the pattern more clearly..

Cascading waves

Using watercolour filter

Dune posts

Using watercolour filter

 

Stormy weather in Tresco Chanel

Click the image to enlarge

The lure of the Isles of Scilly

It is rare, on the Isles of Scilly, to meet someone who is visiting for the first time  –  and if you do, it is likely the ‘first timer’ will return again and again.  The islands are a Designated Area of Natural Beauty and in an age of hustle and bustle their tranquility provides a magical release, a ‘massaging of the soul’.  The picture below (together with several of my posts in recent weeks) explains something of the lure of the Isles.