Apart from the amazing setting for the race weekend the thing that made the event special was the chance for a large number of gig rowers to get together and spend 3 days socialising as well as competing against each other. Most of the time you would be with people from your own club but it was also fairly easy to strike up a conversation with other gig rowers. Most of the clubs were from the West Country but there were also rowers from further afield including a contingent from Holland. One evening we got chatting to a chap who had sailed over. He lived in Cornwall, close to where I spent summers as a teenager and his partner also used to help in the small riding stables where we would spend several days a week helping so that we got to ride the ponies bareback to and from the fields. Small world but as she is 10 years younger than me our paths would not have actually crossed.
While I am not a drinker myself I still enjoyed the convivial atmosphere in the 3 pubs. We did also socialise up at the campsite but many of our club members, particularly those who had been before (and could afford it) stayed in B&B or self-catering accommodation all over the island so we would meet up in the town.
When we arrived on Thursday it was interesting to walk up to the green and see the gigs that have been arriving over the last few weeks. The Scillonian could take 6 (I think) gigs on their special trailers, at a time.
During the race days the gigs were moored on 2 beaches. We had brought Lady Freida which was kept on the town beach and a second gig, Leach C borrowed from Clovelly which was kept on the next beach along so there was a lot of walking between the 2 beaches.
There were loudspeakers blaring with music and race reports from Radio Scilly which gave the town a festival atmosphere. On the town green there was a big tent set up which provided hearty meals at a reasonable price. Prices for everything get hiked up for the gig weekend and the 2000 visitors are said to bring in 2-3 million pounds to the islands' economy. I preferred to shop at the Co-Op which was the only shop with normal prices. There was one chandlers shop, a chemist & a newsagent but all the other shops were high end shops selling sailing/fashion clothes and expensive jewellery & accessories or cafes & restaurants.
Today we have had sunny and windy weather so I have been able to get several loads washed and dried and to air out our sleeping bags before putting them away. Peter went in to row and went out twice as it was just social rowing not full on training. While he was out I cut all the grass and then sat in the sun and read a book. Peter cooked up a barbecue but we ended up eating indoors because the wind was making it quite chilly.
While I am not a drinker myself I still enjoyed the convivial atmosphere in the 3 pubs. We did also socialise up at the campsite but many of our club members, particularly those who had been before (and could afford it) stayed in B&B or self-catering accommodation all over the island so we would meet up in the town.
When we arrived on Thursday it was interesting to walk up to the green and see the gigs that have been arriving over the last few weeks. The Scillonian could take 6 (I think) gigs on their special trailers, at a time.
During the race days the gigs were moored on 2 beaches. We had brought Lady Freida which was kept on the town beach and a second gig, Leach C borrowed from Clovelly which was kept on the next beach along so there was a lot of walking between the 2 beaches.
There were loudspeakers blaring with music and race reports from Radio Scilly which gave the town a festival atmosphere. On the town green there was a big tent set up which provided hearty meals at a reasonable price. Prices for everything get hiked up for the gig weekend and the 2000 visitors are said to bring in 2-3 million pounds to the islands' economy. I preferred to shop at the Co-Op which was the only shop with normal prices. There was one chandlers shop, a chemist & a newsagent but all the other shops were high end shops selling sailing/fashion clothes and expensive jewellery & accessories or cafes & restaurants.
Today we have had sunny and windy weather so I have been able to get several loads washed and dried and to air out our sleeping bags before putting them away. Peter went in to row and went out twice as it was just social rowing not full on training. While he was out I cut all the grass and then sat in the sun and read a book. Peter cooked up a barbecue but we ended up eating indoors because the wind was making it quite chilly.
1 comment:
I have so enjoyed your photos and your commentary on the expedition to Scilly Isles. It has sent me to the Atlas several times, also to "Images" on Google. It's a place in the world we've never thought to explore! So interesting and makes me wish I were younger and could decide to go there!!
Thank you, Ruta!
Elora
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