The white capped tips on the waves of the Celtic Sea drew us in (welcomed us) to the Isles of Scilly. We navigated toward what seemed to be one large land mass, which as we approached, revealed itself as an archipelago composed of various sized islands and clusters of weathered granite rock that jutted out of the ocean. A visit to the Valhalla Museum later that day, with its collection of sea-wrecked figureheads, would allow us to understand the treacherous sea floor landscape which as of recently, within the last few thousand years, was part of the island above sea level.
After breakfast we boarded the skillfully driven zodiacs and disembarked on Tresco Isle. The low-tide shoreline was gently blanketed by a layer of seaweed which gave way to lichen covered rocks and low lying grass that tightly hugged the mossy ground. We walked on winding paths, over rolling hills and through a gate that transported us to a tropical paradise. A secret garden of sorts. The Abbey Tresco Garden, purchased by Augustus Smith in 1832, was creatively designed utilizing the warm Gulf Stream currents yet protected the tropical plant growth from the salty air with a layer of tall, subtropic hedges and trees. While enjoying the palette of colors and perfumed scents, we were greeted by one of the garden’s newest additions. The red squirrel. The red squirrel is native to Britain, yet it is estimated that there are less than 140,000 left as the American squirrel is growing in numbers. In an effort to increase the red squirrel population a collaborative program which included the British Wildlife Centre, introduced several red squirrels to the gardens, where they are tended to daily and are increasing the population.
We exited the garden and went to a local pub for lunch. I had cornish mussels and an Irish beer, do not ask me the name as I have no idea what I got, I just asked the bar tender to give me the most popular Irish Lager. I have to admit, I enjoyed it.
After lunch we headed to King Charles and Cromwell's castles located on the OTHER end of the island from where we were dropped off. About three miles. The views were spectacular and the winds were making of my jacket-hood a kite!
We recapped in the ship lounge at which point she started to sway. You could see the water in the drinking glasses rolling around, not violently, but you could tell that the line parallel to the earth was no longer the bottom of the glass, but the surface of the water in the glass. Thus, you could tell which part of the swell the ship had just past over. I may have missed what some people were saying do to watching the water do its little dance.
Dinner was interesting as they had to tie ropes (to pre-existing loops on the columns in the wide dinning hall) so that people could “hold” their way to the tables. The corridor to the lunch area does not have handrails, therefore the taught ropes, at shoulder length, acted as hand rails which people could easily duck under to access tables or staircases. The knotting of ropes to use as handrails in the ship was fascinating. Watching these sea-faring experts make nautical knots reminded me we were in the best hands!
Some people left dinner early, some greener than others, finding refuge in their rooms. Others, unfazed by the unpredictable, multidirectional sway, stayed and enjoyed dessert. I had a delicious lemon curd ice-cream. Then I went outside carefully and what I thought were dolphins, were interesting cobalt blue, thin bullet-like waves that shot out and away from the sides of the hull. Got me! Interesting phenomena. Then I looked up and saw a group of 6-7 seagulls hitching a ride on whatever calm air the ship was providing.
We are no longer in a protected harbor or even hugging land, therefore at the mercy of the swells, waves and wind. The fifth grade standard: Students will be able to explain the obstacles of early exploration, exposes the kids to map-making, navigation tools, and understanding longitude and latitude, but they forgot sea sickness! I will definitely need to incorporate a lesson on seasickness. Although I am not sick, I am definitely queazy! It feels just like morning sickness.
Tomorrow we arrive at the Skelligs. If the ocean allows, we will zodiac in, if not, I am not sure what is next. Stay posted!
After breakfast we boarded the skillfully driven zodiacs and disembarked on Tresco Isle. The low-tide shoreline was gently blanketed by a layer of seaweed which gave way to lichen covered rocks and low lying grass that tightly hugged the mossy ground. We walked on winding paths, over rolling hills and through a gate that transported us to a tropical paradise. A secret garden of sorts. The Abbey Tresco Garden, purchased by Augustus Smith in 1832, was creatively designed utilizing the warm Gulf Stream currents yet protected the tropical plant growth from the salty air with a layer of tall, subtropic hedges and trees. While enjoying the palette of colors and perfumed scents, we were greeted by one of the garden’s newest additions. The red squirrel. The red squirrel is native to Britain, yet it is estimated that there are less than 140,000 left as the American squirrel is growing in numbers. In an effort to increase the red squirrel population a collaborative program which included the British Wildlife Centre, introduced several red squirrels to the gardens, where they are tended to daily and are increasing the population.
We exited the garden and went to a local pub for lunch. I had cornish mussels and an Irish beer, do not ask me the name as I have no idea what I got, I just asked the bar tender to give me the most popular Irish Lager. I have to admit, I enjoyed it.
After lunch we headed to King Charles and Cromwell's castles located on the OTHER end of the island from where we were dropped off. About three miles. The views were spectacular and the winds were making of my jacket-hood a kite!
We recapped in the ship lounge at which point she started to sway. You could see the water in the drinking glasses rolling around, not violently, but you could tell that the line parallel to the earth was no longer the bottom of the glass, but the surface of the water in the glass. Thus, you could tell which part of the swell the ship had just past over. I may have missed what some people were saying do to watching the water do its little dance.
Dinner was interesting as they had to tie ropes (to pre-existing loops on the columns in the wide dinning hall) so that people could “hold” their way to the tables. The corridor to the lunch area does not have handrails, therefore the taught ropes, at shoulder length, acted as hand rails which people could easily duck under to access tables or staircases. The knotting of ropes to use as handrails in the ship was fascinating. Watching these sea-faring experts make nautical knots reminded me we were in the best hands!
Some people left dinner early, some greener than others, finding refuge in their rooms. Others, unfazed by the unpredictable, multidirectional sway, stayed and enjoyed dessert. I had a delicious lemon curd ice-cream. Then I went outside carefully and what I thought were dolphins, were interesting cobalt blue, thin bullet-like waves that shot out and away from the sides of the hull. Got me! Interesting phenomena. Then I looked up and saw a group of 6-7 seagulls hitching a ride on whatever calm air the ship was providing.
We are no longer in a protected harbor or even hugging land, therefore at the mercy of the swells, waves and wind. The fifth grade standard: Students will be able to explain the obstacles of early exploration, exposes the kids to map-making, navigation tools, and understanding longitude and latitude, but they forgot sea sickness! I will definitely need to incorporate a lesson on seasickness. Although I am not sick, I am definitely queazy! It feels just like morning sickness.
Tomorrow we arrive at the Skelligs. If the ocean allows, we will zodiac in, if not, I am not sure what is next. Stay posted!