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Hi , I have just booked a week on this site, it looks great, just wondered if anyone had any tips on how to pack, what to pack with the 2 ferry journeys in mind ?

Thanks

Hi,

I'm going for 2 weeks in July..can't wait!

The only thing to consider is that all bags are manhandled by the boatmen and yourself so not too big and not too heavy! I split my tent into 2 bags as otherwise it's well over 20 kilos. Just make sure bags are secure as they get thrown around a bit!

As long as all your bags are labelled for St.Agnes(yellow labels for Agnes and they will have loads extra on the quay if you're short) you don't have to handle them again until you help off load at Agnes. They are loaded direct from the Scillonian onto the Spirit of St.Agnes for you.

As you obviously won't have access to the bags in the hold until you get there keep everything you need for the journey with you on the Scillonian.

A word of warning if you suffer from seasickness, the Scillonian (also known as the vomit comet) is infamous for its stomach churning capabilities. If high sw winds are forecast just be prepared! The return sailing is never as bad though. I wish you sunshine, gentle winds and loads and loads of fun!

Welcome to UKCS Buffymummy. Last time i went to the Scilly isles was by helicopter, which is no help to you sorry.

I have found this  and hope it is some help.

Hi Buffymummy02,

Sorry I didn't answer your question about 'what' to pack. Did you mean for the journey/sailings or for the campsite?

What time of year are you going by the way?

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Splendid

Hi Splendid,

thanks for reply, useful to know about luggage on ferry we are usually manage on minimal kit but have inlaws coming who will want camping chairs ! we are going the last week in Aug hoping for some decent weather after last years washout.

Tricky, when you say quiet room do you mean where the beds are right at the bottom in the bowels of the ship?! All the locals reckon this is the best place to be as there is less movement and  there are even straps to secure yourself into the beds! Bit of noise from the engines though! I prefer to be on deck!

Those wristbands help me more than the seasickness tablets which I think are just sleeping tablets in disguise! I suffer terribly from motion sickness and I have a love hate relationship with the Scillonian...I love the sense of time it takes to sail to the islands(as opposed to a 20 minute flight) but I hate it with a passion when the wind speed is anything over 20mph!!! Must be worth it though as I keep getting back on that dammed ship.

I read last year that a new combined passenger/freight ship is being built and because they plan to build a new quay on St.Mary's in deeper water it will have a deeper keel which should make for a smoother crossing. Does anyone know what stage this is at?

By the way those white sick bags (strategically placed on the back of every seat and wall) make great sandwich bags as they are greaseproof inside!

Have you used the Pre ordered food  from the PO on St Agnes or is it pricey ? does sound tempting rather than packing stuff like cereal and teabags ? ! 

Unfortunately it can be pricey as costs of shipping  are obviously added on. I take things like tea /coffee and as many packets of small stuff like rice i can fit in. I didn't bother with the pre order as there was only me and my son and the post office is quite near the site. If I was to use it I would order heavy things like tins of beans and drinks to save having to carry them! Have used it on St.Martin's though as their shop is a bit of a trek!

Had you visited the islands before, I presumed you had, living in beautiful Devon...wish I was nearer!

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Splendid

It will be our first trip, actually only lived in Devon for about 18 months, one of the things that swung moving was proximity to lovely coasts and moors etc,  tried to get 2 weeks in troytown but all booked up if we like it will book early for next year. Really looking forward to it already which is your favourite island ?

I can never decide which is my favourite! I usually stay on St.Martin's when I camp but we camped on Agnes last August ....really loved it despite the 'breezy' weather! Tresco and St.Martin's have stunning beaches but there is something very special about Agnes. My son only wants to stay there now!

The only island I would not stay on is St.Mary's purely because it is not that different from other small Cornish towns...whereas the off islands are something completely different (that's how I justify the extra cost and hassle of getting to Scilly)...very quiet..much smaller....very special...IMO!

I'm sure you will have great fun discovering them all for yourself!

Quote: Originally posted by Tricky0001979 on 24/2/2009

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To be honest never been down there i'd assume just regular seating but because it's further down there'll be less motion.

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Quote: Originally posted by buffymummy02 on 24/2/2009

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Have you used the Pre ordered food  from the PO on St Agnes or is it pricey ? does sound tempting rather than packing stuff like cereal and teabags ? ! 

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Hi, forgot to say you do need to pre order your bread at the PO while you are there as they only have a few loafs etc on the shelves. So yes I would put a pre order in for any bread and basics you will need up until the Monday if you arrive on Sat. (You should have time to go to the shop if you need to as if you are on a 9.15am sailing you should be on the campsite by 1.30pm)

 Bear in mind the shop is only open for a few hours Sunday morning. Newspapers also need to be ordered a day or so ahead and Sunday papers don't arrive until Monday!