Inset Onset

10Jun13

We said our farewells to Fair Isle and headed north west towards Shetland. We were cautious with our planning to cross the 20 miles or so to the Shetland mainland setting our course to steer to cope with the impending spring tide...it never came. We had a fine sail and made best of the available wind to keep our course and finally reach the place on the weather map or atlas that is always drawn in an inset box. Passing 60 degrees north felt quite an achievement and it was not long before we were rafted up in Lerwick against one of the many Norwegian yachts in the area.

Following the delights of Kirkwall, Lerwick was a bit of a disappointment and we did not feel welcome as the marina had soon to be cleared awaiting the imminent arrival of cruise ships and their tenders. After a brief look around and a visit to the chandlery we quickly made plans and headed out for Symbister on Whalsay; a simpler, slower place. We were invited to stay on the hammerhead of the local boating club's pontoons and received a friendly welcome. The difference from Lerwick immediately apparent, friendly folk where everyone offers a wave of acknowledgment on passing whether on foot or just driving by. The pontoons are all privately owned, electricity is available but there are no hose pipes -- the local ferries do stop during the night and are not really a nuisance more entertainment.

The following day was pretty nasty weather-wise and so we decided to stay and get caught up on some much-needed tasks including planning for our future exit back towards Orkney and Scotland.