Archive for May 12th, 2007

Scillonian III

Approaching the Isles of Scilly from Cornwall

There are two ways to get your kayak to the Isles of Scilly. I’ve tried them both. One way is to paddle there, a biggish but not extreme open crossing. The other way is to take the ferry. The Scillonian III makes the crossing from Penzance most days of the week. It’s popularly known as the ‘Vomit Comet’ on account of the somewhat lively seas it often ploughes through. To get your kayak onto the Scillonian, you load it onto a wobbly wooden pallet which is then craned into a worryingly small hold opening on the deck.

In two weeks’ time, we are going back to the Isles of Scilly. Hooray! However, as we have no way of knowing whether the weather conditions (or our energy levels) will suit a paddle crossing either there or back, we’ve had to book tickets for the ferry. Unfortunately the Scillonian option doesn’t come cheap. According to the ferry company’s bumf, two adults and two kayaks return costs the best part of £300(!). So, this afternoon I winced in real pain as I read my card details down the phone to the nice lady at the booking office. However, the final cost actually came to about half that, for reasons we can’t divine. I checked again and the price stayed the same … fingers crossed that no mistake has been made.

Scillonian III

Anyway … did I mention that we are going back to the Isles of Scilly, in two weeks’ time? Hooray!

Kevin Francis, Eastern Isles, Isles of Scilly

 


The Book

The Book

A Sample Chapter

Prawle Point in south Devon.

About

During 2006-8 I researched, photographed and wrote a sea kayaking guide to the South West of England; from the Bristol Channel to the Isle of Wight. I have used this blog to keep folk updated as to my progress and to reveal some of the wonderful scenery, culture and wildlife of this little corner of England.

Pesda Press Titles

 

Sit-on-Top Kayak Sea Kayak Navigation

 

Welsh Sea Kayaking Sea Kayak

 

The Northern Isles Scottish Sea Kayaking

 

Oileáin English White Water

 

Scottish White Water Kayak Rolling

 

British Canoe Union Coaching Handbook BCU Canoe & Kayak Handbook

 

Kayak Surfing The Seamanship Pocketbook

 

Scottish Canoe Classics Scottish Canoe Touring

More Good Reading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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