When you’re trapped on the Isles of Scilly but due to dance on Flora Day the next day there is only one thing to do – hire a speedboat.

This was the situation Cags Gilbert found herself in, just 24 hours from when she was supposed to be stepping out of the Guildhall for the Midday Dance.

Cags, assistant headteacher at Constantine Primary School, had been rowing in the World Pilot Gig Championships over the weekend with her club, Helford.

With the first flight of the day booked early on Monday morning, to make sure she was back in plenty of time to attend that evening’s Midday Dance rehearsal and get ready for the big day, it should have been simple – until heavy fog threw her plans into disarray.

All flights were grounded and with the Scillonian Ferry full on both its crossings, things were looking bleak.

Cags told the Packet: “If you have to be stuck anywhere in the world then the Isles of Scilly is the place to be for sure – except on Flora Eve when you have an invitation to dance the Midday the following day.”

She was not alone – a number of other rowers from her club and Penryn club also had to get back for Flora Day, as they either had children or other family members dancing.

Knowing of Cags’ predicament, a member of Penryn Rowing Club tracked her down at the airport and mentioned that there was an island speedboat available to charter for a trip back to Penzance.

“It was a no-brainer. We called them and got seats quick,” said Cag.

She and 11 others – including some of the American crew who were also trapped, meaning they had missed their connecting flights from Newquay and then on to Maine – left St Mary’s at lunchtime Monday and were back in Cornwall by the afternoon.

The fog had caused difficulties throughout the championships, forcing the cancellation of Sunday’s round three heat and delaying the start of the men’s final.

For a full round up of the World Pilot Gig Championships see pages 18 and 19.