Well – I think there is a typographical error on the chart and this place is really called Stormness!
I fell fast to sleep having enjoyed the local beer at the Ferry Inn (can you guess where thats next to?) but it wasn’t long before the full extent of the weather forecast showed its ugly head! The boat started rocking, shaking, heeling with endless banging and groaning of lines and fenders!
I was grateful for the fact that we were well lashed onto the pontoon, but it occurred to me at silly o clock this morning – how well was our pontoon attached to the others?
I had visions of us veering off with a pontoon attached to us! I’m not sure how SWMT will feel if we turn up with a pontoon stuck to our port side. It certainly does solve the problem of trying to berth our boat when we enter marinas as we bring our own pontoon!
A leisurely Sunday morning was enjoyed by all, and by midday all were present in the saloon. Mike and John made it to the shower block, but when they returned to the boat, they looked as if they had forgotten to undress – they were soaked!
We all decided to seek out a nice Sunday roast dinner and made our way to the Stromness Hotel.
On the way, I took photographs, but its difficult to capture weather, just the effects it has!
we looked back towards the boat sat amidst the fishing boats and ferry which are all sitting out the weather like us.
Our boat hanging onto the end of the pontoon!
Many heads turned when we entered, all dressed in our oilskins, looking as if we had just brought a boat in. Undeterred, we negotiated a table for 5 and eventually tucked into a filling carvery!
Being very health conscious, I went for a stroll after dinner to take in the local scenery.
We went up the Khyber Pass!
Stromness is a quaint little place, with narrow streets and charming buildings. I was a little put off the fact that it also serves as a racing track for some of the locals!
An Orca skull to advertise a restaurant
The ferry and fishing boats didn't make it out!
I loved the plaques on some of the buildings – but this one really caught my attention –
Imagine being trapped In Ice for several months!
Taking a leaf out of the Shetland Islands Coastguard books, I tried to remain cheerful and enjoy the August weather in the Orkneys!
I have a bikini on underneath my wet weather gear!
Back to the boat, and Tank is also of the same mind – trying to stay positive and not let the weather get us down. He is planning a 24 hour trip tomorrow to the Shetlands, and we set about devising waypoints, bearings, courses to steer.
Exhausted from this and having missed most of my sleep last night – it was siesta time once more.
We listened to the weather forecast at 7pm from the cheery Coast Guard in the Shetland Islands and were relieved to hear that our storm force 10 has finally been demoted to a severe gale 9 – glorious news! Just as I do at home when I listen to the forecast, I look around the channels to see who is going to give me the best weather (do you do that too?) but I have finally accepted that to channel hop on the VHF and hope that the man in Aberdeen will be kinder than the one in The Shetlands is futile!
We are not settled down in the boat, lights and heater on, blog being written, books being read and Tank happy that he has beaten the Worms on his i-phone…….!
