The Wild British Isles

Tresco Isle, Scilly

After travelling 240 nautical miles from our embarkation point at Portsmouth, England, we arrived at the Scilly Islands, which are 28 miles southwest of Land's End, Cornwall. This archipelago has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Severe and stark, it yet has a mild climate due to the effects of the Gulf Stream.

We came to visit the Abbey Garden on the isle of Tresco. In the 1830s, Augustus Smith, a merchant banker, plant collector and botanist, recognised the climatic advantages of the islands, and began the creation of the Abbey Garden. The garden now contains plants from five major botanic regions: Europe, North America, Africa, New Zealand/Australia, and the Mediterranean. Keep in mind, this island is located at 40 degrees latitude North!

The Scilly Isles are on the migration route for birds from both North America and Siberia, and, even though this is migration season, we didn't see anything unusual. However, in the garden itself, there is a flock of Japanese pheasants - bright gold, green, blue and red, they are bright and glowing jewels.

There were rough waters last night, kind of dizzy making, and as I was being pitched around while trying to go to sleep, I thought, "why do I go by sea?". Well, of course the answer is that there are so many wonder spots on this planet that are only accessible by sea....it's worth some discomfort.

They say things will be calm for the next few days, but when we get to the North of Scotland we can expect some more rough waves. I'll be better prepared with some dramamine next time.

The only way to approach the underwater road at Tresco is by Zodiac.

                                          

 Believe it or not, this is one plant. The yellow flower pops out of the purplish leaf (bract?). I think it is from Africa.

                                                  These geraniums have roots that grow above the ground.

                     This garden gazebo was made entirely from shells and tiles, including my favorite pakau shells from NZ.

                                            

I have never in my life seen a grey flower.

Right now we're docked at Waterford, Ireland, and this afternoon we go out to the Mount Congreve Gardens, a woodland garden on the banks of the River Suir.