Camping with the Mediocre Dad

This lovely shot from 1988 shows the Bryher Stores in full summer bloom – including my dad and brother, twenty years younger than they are now. In recreating this shot I was compromised by a couple of things – firstly, there seems to be a shed in the way of where i was standing back…

Another shot from 1987 on the quay, this time showing John Hicks and the local policeman Pat Martin watching over some holidaymakers, presumably boarding the Swordfish. The more uptodate shot sadly doesn’t include John, as he’s now living in Bristol (and is much missed around the islands).

I found this nice shot in the pile of photos from my first visit to Scilly in 1987, and then received a very similar view from John Leach, from way back in 1967. So, I decided to try to recreate it this month while we were on St Marys. The backdrop of the buildings doesn’t…

Another almost 40-year gap between these two, the old one having been taken by my father back in 1969 on his first visit to the Islands. The recent shot was taken just this month by me, though for a sense of continuity you can just see my father in the 2008 shot too! : )

This is the first of the 2008 series, taken specifically for the site when I was lucky enough to be visiting Scilly this month. This shot show a nice then-and-now (1969 and 2008) contrast of the old Cannons that inhabit one of the many placements on the Garrison walls. It’s nice to see that historic…

Whilst on St Marys a couple of weeks ago, we were walking round Penninis Head and came across a section of the footpath near Old Town church that had been largely eroded after the recent storms. As erosion is one of the biggest threats that Scillonians face on their islands, I hope it isn’t a…

I’m off to Scilly again a week today, and I’ll be making sure to take lots of new photos for the blog. If you have any old shots you wouldn’t mind donating for use on here, let me know and I can get updated shots to compare them with when I’m over. Drop me an…

A couple of shots of Round Island lighthouse, taken almost 20 years apart. According to Wikipedia (which never lies!), the Lighthouse was built in 1887 and automated 100 years later – and is the most norterly dwelling in the Isles of Scilly.

These shots show the view down over Porthcressa, encompassing a large swathe of Hugh Town. They’re only separated by 6 years – 2000 and 2006 – but there are still a few changes you can spot in there.

The famous view from the top of Tresco Abbey Gardens, in 1992, 1997, 1999, 2005 and 2006.