Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Scillies or Bust

A hull scrub at dawn and a quiet potter round the harbour to rebuild the boy's confidence — that was the plan. Instead, a heatwave nudged us out past Spitbank Fort, sails up, bound for the sub-tropical shallows of Priory Bay — where a rummage in a seat locker produced two snorkels and the sound of Otto yelling "this is soo cool" through the seaweed.

What follows is cricket on the beach, tortellini in the cockpit, instant friendships forged over crabbing lines, wine with neighbours who've become friends, and a sleepy village that feels like a place time forgot. One night became three. And as we read Famous Five that evening, the verdict came: "Daddy — it's just like the caravan, only better."

Episode 2 — where we find our place.

A gentle May Day sail and a bowl of rigatoni — that was the plan. Instead, Otto got his first proper taste of sailing, ROLI got a workout, and our 8hp outboard took an unscheduled swim courtesy of a passing Brittany Ferries wake.

What follows is a frantic rescue by fuel line, a Genoa-only charge through the Portsmouth Narrows on a spring ebb, and a blue-lit tow from Border Force that had the grandparents reaching for the whisky. We end up berthed beside a dismasted 1920s superyacht, supper aboard a converted lightship, and a reminder of why the best adventures are the ones you never meant to take.

Episode 1 — where it all begins.