Well, I got to Shetland. The problem is getting back.
The ferry to Orkneys was cancelled the day before yesterday and I hope to go today.
The journey to here-
In Oban, despite lack of phone signals on both sides, I managed to meet up with Pat and Dermot who were visiting her friend Liz and two delightful children.
The next day I called in at Jean and Richard Beith (ex Hong Kong friends) for coffee and a catch up chat.
Left Oban in the pouring rain which had cleared up by the afternoon. That night I stopped at one of the Britstops pubs but it was a Sunday and although the people were friendly they were fairly drunk. A big staffie was trying to be friendly with Sacha and she was having none of it. Dogs often take after their owners!
Driving in Scotland is delightful with the good roads beside the lochs and hills.
I reached the north at Thurso to check out the ferry to Orkneys and found that one was going that evening. I was surprised but actually they are very frequent. Whilst waiting I saw a Skinners Brewery van which was driven by Steve Skinners son Ben who was up from Cornwall with his surfing buddies.
On that ferry, I was in the restaurant when I heard little voice say 'That is Charlotte'. It was Kath and Doug Houghton who I knew from Hong Kong LSW hash 30 years ago! We had met up 2 years ago at an LSW reunion otherwise I'm sure they would not have recognised me. Now retired,they live on Orkney. Doug is also a very successful photographer and his brilliant photographs were chosen to decorate the ferry and he was able to show all 30 of them to me.
They then invited me to stay at their place which I did although I still slept in the van. They gave me excellent advice on what to see and some delicious meals.
The Orkneys has an amazing number of Neolithic villages some even older than Stonehenge. My favourite was the well preserved village of Skara Brae.
There is so much to see with history, geology and bird watching.
I forgot to mention the many standing stones of significance. In the Kirkwall, the capital, is the magnificent red sandstone cathedral of St Magnus.
I had planned to go to the island of Hoy but Kath found that the roads were closed due to bridge repair work. So change of plan and I went on to Rousay where I visited various cairns off the 14 mile round road. The best was the midhowe broch and cairn which was discovered when a storm eroded the cliffs. Walking back over the fields up the hill we were caught in a painful hailstorm.
I overnighted in a beautiful picnic spot next to the beach in Saviskaill Bay. I was mesmerised by a family of seals playing in the sea right in front of me. It was wonderful.
Near the ferry peer I visited Trumland House gardens where again we were caught in a hailstorm. As Doug says if you wait 5 minutes the weather changes- all too true.
There was nothing open on Rousay so it is good that with the van I always have supplies. The ferry connections are so good.
The next day I took the 8hr overnight ferry to Lerwick in Shetland.
I made my way to the island of Yell where I camped on the beach at West Stanwick. It is a beautiful white sandy beach and by the time we reached there the sun was shining although it was cold and breezy.
The next day I drove up to Unst the northern most isle of Shetland. The weather was bad but I was lucky enough to find the warm, clean friendly Gaurdiesfauld Hostel open.
Outside the hostel I fell and hurt my hip which was painful and worrying but with the help of anti inflammatory tablets the pain was gradually reduced.
Barrie, a birder, and I had some good conversations. Although I did have a problem with a weird couple who were running around screaming and shouting. Luckily they soon left.
The first day the weather was atrocious and couldn't do much but the next I walked up to the Hermaness Nature Reserve northernmost point overlooking the little island of Muckle Flugga. Good walk through bogs whilst being attacked by skuas.
Then I made my way via two ferries to Lerwick. Stopping on the way at Frankies for the best fish and chips ever.
I had booked the ferry that day but I changed it because of the storms forecasted. This ferry was later cancelled I heard.
I drove through strong winds and rain to Sumburgh the south of the island and ended up camping next to the airport runway. A real stormy night with the van being rocked by winds.
On the way back up we stopped at the pretty, sheltered beach at Meal. Again some seals in the waters edge.
Back in Lerwick I visited the excellent museum. There is too much to see at on visit but so good.
I overnighted at the closed disused Clockimin campsite which is next to the leisure centre.
So now off back to Orkney- hopefully.