We holidayed in Scilly in June 2001, and actually got married in the Town Hall in St Mary's during our stay - a fantastic experience, but that's another story.

The weather wasn't brilliant generally, but at least half of every day was sunny and warm enought to be on the beach. Rain, when it came, was heavy, but passed quickly.

You can travel there from Penzance by boat, small aircraft or helicopter. The ferry is the cheapest, but is known by locals as the "White Stomach Pump". It is a small craft with a minimal keel, which tends to create a bit of a roll, so be prepared if you do not possess a pair of sea legs. We were lucky to have two good crossings, spotting a couple of basking sharks on the return trip. Flights are very quick, and probably worth the extra money if you are susceptible to seasickness.

The islands are a small, functional community, with beautiful coastal scenery in every direction, a rich mixture of wildlife and spectacular flowers. We spent most of our time on St Mary's, the largest and most populated (approx 2,000) island. Tresco, with its famous Abbey Gardens, is the next largest; accommodation is about twice the price of other islands! There are plenty of regular boat trips to the inhabited and uninhabited islands, and prices are reasonable. One of the nice things about Scilly is the relatively small numbers of tourists, so there is never much of a crush for popular events.

It was perfect for us because our 3-year old son was having his first major holiday. There are beaches galore on Scilly, and not the typical British "cold mud" number. The beaches are sandy, with dazzlingly clear water, and are a complete haven for children. They don't get too crowded, they're generally pretty clean and there's a friendly, tolerant atmosphere.

One word of caution - the sun is absolutely piercing, because of the clarity of the atmosphere. We burned really
quickly.

It was more like a visit to a mediterranean island - a world away from England, and even Cornwall.

Finally, seek out Julia's kitchen on St Mary's as a great place to eat with beautiful harbour views.