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Tuesday 14th May - Carn Thomas Children's Centre

It's wet here today. Not a-bit-of-drizzle wet, but proper throwing-it-down wet, and windy with it. One option would be to don your full waterproofs and go for a walk to watch the sea, but if you've got pre-school children you might like to take a visit to the Children's Centre at Carn Thomas (just along from the Dairy, opposite the old Secondary school site).

Playing on the ride-on toys at Parent and Toddlers. These aren't available for hire, but most other items in the big toy library cupboards are.

We are lucky to still have our Children's Centre, as they are closing down rapidly in other areas. Facilities here for visiting families include 'Parent and Toddler' group, which takes place several times a week during term time (currently Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and Friday afternoons, but do call to check); and the Toy and Resource Library, which is open during office hours. You can pre-order equipment (e.g. highchairs) from here, or you can browse the giant toy cupboards to chose a toy or two to enjoy during your holiday. The charges are very reasonable.

Most weeks there are also one or two play sessions run by the Council's resident Early Years Professional, from soft play to arts-and-crafts. Usually these take place in the 'Playzone' - the room at the end, through the coloured wooden gateway.

These excellent sessions, often based on a theme (a recent one was 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt') offer a chance to play indoors and out, to make a mess and to meet new friends. They typically last for about an hour and a half, and include snacks and a drink. It's not childcare - you must stay with your child - but you'll be offered a cup of tea or coffee, be able to chat to other parents, and all for free. How good is that?

If you see a little girl with scruffy fair hair and an obsession with the biscuit box, it may well be my Rowan - come and say hello to us both!

Posters for upcoming play sessions are on display in the main hall at Carn Thomas (the one in the photo), or you can check the events section of the Council's website. For equipment hire, or to check the dates and times of sessions (which is always a good idea before making a special journey) call the Early Years office on 01720 423680.

If you want childcare rather than somewhere to go with your child, try Craftikids Day Nursery at Old Town on St Mary's, where they take visiting children subject to availability (call Katie on 01720 422032).

Saturday 27th April - Dibble and Grub, Porthcressa, St Mary's

Dibble and Grub has long been a favourite of ours, a bright and friendly place where you are guaranteed a tasty meal cooked up by owner & chef Button Reseigh.

They have a particularly varied brunch menu, served until noon, but we were choosing from their lunchtime selection, which includes sandwiches and paninis, gourmet burgers, mediterranean-inspired meals and salads, and a really wide range of tapas dishes. My favourite option is probably to order a tapas selection, maybe a 'sharing platter' too, along with a plate of their trademark potato wedges (with chilli relish) - and take my time to savour it all, along with a nice bottle of wine, in the company of a few friends. I must find a reason to do that again soon.

But today we were eating with the kids, so the emphasis was a little more on speed and sustenance. And, as ever, the Dibble team was more than able to deliver: chunky ham sandwiches for the kids, a tasty mackerel burger for me, and lamb souvlaki for my other half (a generous pitta filled with lamb kebab, salad, and a minty yoghurt dressing). Oh, and some wedges to share, of course! I have to admit to a bit of food envy on this occassion - the mackerel was great (and it's nice to support the local fishermen, too), but there's something about that lamb dish, the explosion of flavours in every mouthful is really superb. Luckily for me, he was willing to give me a taster or two.

That was it for us on this occassion, but if you are on holiday, you'll want to stay a while - perhaps enjoy a beer in the sun at the tables outside (while admiring the view towards St Agnes), or try my favourite: a Vietnamese Iced Coffee, which is a bit like coffee and dessert all rolled into one.

Thurs 18th April 2013 - The Northern/Eastern coast of St Mary's

Views from the bottom of McFarland's Down, round to Innisidgen

It's really lovely weather on Scilly today - glorious sunshine, but with a proper fresh Easterly wind. Quite typical weather for the World Pilot Gig Championships, which will be taking place here in a couple of weeks. But I digress...

It was also perfect weather for a quick jaunt around the leeward side of St Mary's. I started out at McFarland's Down (the community bus will drop you at the top of this track), to be greeted by these stunning views towards Tresco and St Martin's. I didn't drop right down to the beach this time, but took a higher track through the trees, bringing me out at Innisidgin burial chamber. Most of the daffodils at this spot are past their best now, but keep your eyes peeled for violets and lesser celandine, which are just coming into bloom.

Looking towards Pelistry beach and Tolls island.

The next stretch of coastline brings you to secluded Watermill Bay, and shortly after, the gorgeous fine sand of Pelistry beach. It was sheltered enough today to do a spot of sunbathing here, and yet, there was hardly a soul to be seen.

Beyond Pelistry, I again took the higher track, stopping to appreciate this view back towards the beach and Tolls island, from the battery at Mount Todden. When I reached Deep Point, I headed straight up towards another burial chamber (my route today would be perfect for archaeology enthusiasts) before dropping down past the "loaded camel" rocks, into Porth Hellick.

If you'd like views like this practically on your doorstep, Mount Todden cottage (in a quiet location, on a small mixed farm) has some vacancies for 2013.