By: Blonde One
It’s a very well known fact that Literature sometimes has a profound impact on people. As a lover of Literature I have been inspired to do things that I might not normally do because of books. Visiting the Isles of Scilly is one such thing. Many years ago I had the pleasure of teaching the book ‘Why the Whales Came’ by Michael Morpurgo to a group of teenagers. He is a children’s author local to Devon and often includes Devon and Cornwall in his books. Check him out at www.michaelmorpurgo.com. It’s not just me that has been inspired by this book, I know someone who has named their newborn baby Bryher, after the island setting of the book!
Since reading the book I was compelled to visit the islands and see for myself. Even after several years of visiting I still take pleasure in going to the places that Daniel and Gracie talk about in the book. Bryher, Gracie and Daniel’s home island, remains my favourite island, and I try to visit Hell Bay and Rushy Bay while I’m there. I like to write messages in the sand with shells just as they did to the Birdman.
I have been to the Bryher church graveyard and read the headstones bearing the surnames of Gracie (Jenkins) and Daniel (Pender).
One of the best things to do on Scilly (although I didn’t do it this time) is to visit the uninhabited island of Samson just like Gracie and Daniel did, to have a little explore.
I have met Michael Morpurgo on two occasions but I would love to have time to chat to him about his work in general, this specific book and the Isles of Scilly.
I would encourage you to read this book, and then I challenge you to go to Bryher and find evidence from the book for yourself.
It sounds like my sort of book and I will see if I can get hold of a copy when I’ve finished the one I am half way through. Have you read “The Forest” by Edward Rutherfurd? I was given a copy and am thoroughly enjoying its ramble through the social history of the New Forest. Years ago I rambled there often and watched the deer and birds; more recently, I’ve been there specifically to look at the wild flowers; but its history and customs are truly fascinating. I’d love to visit the Scilly Isles. Islands always have something unique to offer and uninhabited islands are open for all sorts of mind adventures aren’t they?