Two busy Sundays

The past two Sundays have been very busy for me. Rewinding to two weeks ago, I was still on the mainland after a mini shopping spree. I say mini as it only involved one spare bag being filled as opposed to a four bag real shopping spree. On the Sunday morning my daughter Sasha drove us down to Penzance so that we could have a swim in the Jubilee Pool which has been a long term dream of mine. It was watching some swimmers here a few years ago that inspired me to take up regular sea swimming. Ever since then I've tried to factor this in on one of my trips away, but it never worked, so it was fantastic when Sasha suggested it. This was the last day of the season at the pool but you can still read all about the wonderful Art Deco lido and pool here.









After swimming in the pool, I came home and looked up the website for the Jubilee Pool. I found the page on its history really interesting. See here for the story of this wonderful amenity.

So let's fast forward to the following weekend when we had a huge spring tide on the islands giving rise to a relatively new occasion - the low tide event. As the tide recedes, the islands are surrounded by sandbanks which can, on a very low tide, join up to lead from one island to another, albeit for a very short period of time. Hundreds of visitors came by boat from St Mary's (the main island of the Isles of Scilly) to attend this very different pop up event. They were landed at Carn Near quay and from there were able to walk along Appletree Bay out to Appletree Point where the flags were flapping wildly in the wind, indicating the location of the fun. 


This is the view from New Grimsby. If you look into the distance you might be able to make out the tiny ant-like figures gathering to join the party. 



This wonderful sight is even more awesome when you consider that this area is the main thoroughfare for the boats, and therefore will be completely under water in six hours.
















The crowds were happy to be eating local fish, freshy cooked out in the middle of the channel. A glass of bubbly or a bottle of beer washed everything down perfectly, with the backdrop of music and laughter making it a memorable lunchtime party. All too soon the tide would be turning and everyone would scatter.








On my way back home I met these three Wrens from HMS Echo which was anchored up in deep water near St Mary's. They were conducting a maritime survey of the low tide, rather than heading for a bowl of fish stew. We had a quick chat before they went on their way. It's grand to have these little encounters on a day like this. Lovely to meet you ladies!




As I got back onto land I stopped to put on my shoes and found myself standing next to this colourful lady called Sue. Don't you just love those nails and that amazing hair?  Sue was having a holiday on St Mary's, and had enjoyed spending her Sunday lunchtime sampling the fare at the pop up party. I hope that everyone else had relished the low tide event it as much as we did. These islands offer an all year round calendar of outdoors activities - click here to find out more about what's on and how to plan your visit.
Anna x

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24 comments

  1. Anna - that pool looks amazing! I love your costume - where did you get it? I have a similar one with shorter legs but it's black and boring...

    The pop up party looked like a lot of fun and people seem to be really enjoying themselves. Did they sound a siren to warn people the tide would coming in soon and to get themselves back quick to dry land?

    We nearly got caught out last year walking out to a little island from one of the local beaches in Donegal. We were so busy reading the gravestones on the island we didn't notice the tide coming in and had to run for it and wade back to the beach holding our phones and cameras aloft!

    Have a great week

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. So glad you like the cossie Veronica. It's by Arena and I bought it on the Wiggle website. I love the vintage styling of it, most because it's not too revealing when I have to swim with others.
      The low tide event was great, but no sirens here. People gradually filter away as the tide start to come back in. It's a daily event here, so people are aware that they can't linger long out on the sandbars. This whole do was up and gone in about 2 hours. Wishing you a great week too x
      Anna

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  2. Lovely photos.
    Pleased to see the Jubliee pool repaired and back in use. My mother used to swim there in the 1930s.
    The low tide event is on my to do list.
    Tessa xx
    PS You asked over on my blog if we had met. Did you see the reply I left there.

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    1. Hi Tessa, yes isn't it grand to see the Jubilee Pool restored to its former glory. I met one of the regulars who says it's wonderful to have the pool available for the locals again. It's such an asset to the town. I'll maybe see you over for the next low tide then. And yes, I did see your reply thanks. Wishing you a good week x
      Anna

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  3. Wonderful photos - that Jubilee pool looks amazing, very much reminds me of our Crystal Gardens (which was once an indoor salt water pool). Low tide is always cool - we get a lot of those up the east coast of Vancouver Island, good memories of digging for clams and poking sea anemones!

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    1. Thanks Sheila. I thought a little bit of local culture wouldn't go amiss on the blog. I love the interestings creatures and odd finds you see on the low tides too. Catch up with you again soon x
      Anna

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  4. OOH, that pool is dreamy! I have seen it before but I would really like to go to it! The Low tide event looks so much fun! I am glad you enjoyed it!x

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    1. Dearest Kezzie, the pool is steeped in history and has a great atmosphere - I could have just sat and people watched all day there. I think great fun was had by all at the low tide event. Wishing you a fab week x
      Anna

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  5. Sounds and looks like you had exciting weekends! The Jubilee Pool looks fantastic - I'm so glad you got to swim in it!

    And the low tide event looks like lots of fun as well! Thanks for sharing!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

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    1. I can see my weekends settling down now which is why I wanted to feature these very different ones. I'm thrilled to have at last swum in that beautiful pool. And yes, it was a really fun couple of hours being marooned in the middle of the channel at this huge party. So glad you enjoyed it x
      Anna

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  6. Thanks for a FABULOUS post, Anna! I am constantly in awe of the tides in your part of the world. They're massive and to celebrate a very very low one with a party in the middle of the channel with delicious fish and bubbly is sensational! The swimming pool is wonderful (just wondering how cold the water is) and I do love your "Olympian swimmers/bathers/swimsuit. I would love to get one, very flattering and fun. I haven't seen any around here and I live 15 mins from the beaches of the Coffs Harbour region. Looking forward to more of your great stories, you have cheered me up immensely. Have a beautiful week. xx

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    1. Dear Elizabeth, thank you so much for all your lovely comments and feedback. I fancy that my autumn/winter weekends won't be half as entertaining! Every time I feauture this swimsuit it seems to stir up a bit of interest. As I mentioned earlier the brand is Arena, purchased through the Wiggle website here in the UK. They have quite a few patterns in this style and I can see I may succumb to another new one next summer. Wishing you a lovely week too x
      Anna

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  7. What an unusual and fun event to attend.

    Looks like a blast!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. It's a pretty unique event and as such really did draw in the crowds. Was a brilliant party. Have a fab week Suzanne!
      Anna x

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  8. Oh my gosh! I'm coming to visit!

    Julia
    www.whenthegirlsrule.com

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    1. Hey Julia, that's the attiude! See ya next time then x
      Wishing you a lovely week x
      Anna

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  9. How wonderful it is when you take us along on such unique adventures.
    That pool and it's history are really amazing!! What an ingenious idea! I can see how this would be a special swim workout and the perfect preparation for someone who wants to do open sea swimming. I'm really enthralled by the history as well.
    The low tide party and seafood stew picnic is a perfect example of living in the moment and seizing the day!!
    How kind of you to share these with us! Great photos Anna.

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    1. The Jubilee Pool is quite a special place, and the locals hold it dear to their hearts. The fund raising ventures to restore it have been amazing and now everyone can enjoy this wonderful amentity again. And yes, you're right about the seize the day attitude. The energy around the event was exciting. We were blessed by the perfect weather too which helped to make it even more memorable. Enjoy your week Judy x
      Anna

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  10. How wonderful it is when you take us along on such unique adventures.
    That pool and it's history are really amazing!! What an ingenious idea! I can see how this would be a special swim workout and the perfect preparation for someone who wants to do open sea swimming. I'm really enthralled by the history as well.
    The low tide party and seafood stew picnic is a perfect example of living in the moment and seizing the day!!
    How kind of you to share these with us! Great photos Anna.

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  11. The swimming pool looks really huge and your swimming suit is adorable! It has a classic style which is sooooo cute!!
    Interesting photos of the low tie...you live in a beautiful place which surely deserves to be visited!

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    1. Thanks for that Dan! The swimming suit is a bit quaint as well as being athletic too - I love it. I'm really lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world. And yes, it's surely worth a visit x
      Anna

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  12. Replies
    1. Hi and welcome to the blog! Sundays are for down time and busy times too aren't they? Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment x
      Anna

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  13. Thanks Rachel! Good to hear from you again x
    Anna

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