In which we motor a mile, listen to some music and motor back again.
In the outside world, the price of oil has fallen; oil companies want less helicopter flying and helicopter companies want fewer pilots. Cue agreement with my employer that I can spend a lot more time sailing. My last week of work, the weather was perfect for a journey South with constant northerly force 4 winds and blue skies.
Accordingly, on 1st May, the first day of my retirement, we boarded the Aberdeen - Lerwick ferry with a sense of anticipation. Not only were we (almost) free of commitments, the good citizens of Shetland had organised an international folk festival to wave us on our way.
Our first move on Saturday morning arrival was to move Ruby from the marina at Gremista to the pontoon at Albert dock to be nearer the heart of the action. A provisioning trip and we were set for the weekend. Saturday afternoon visitors included both Luke, original crew for our delivery voyage and Ian who stood in when we were delayed.
Lerwick harbour
We had tickets for concerts that evening, Sunday lunchtime and the Sunday evening Foy, a concert in which 15 acts are bused around Lerwick in a military operation to play 15 minute slots at 3 venues. An amazing variety of styles (not often will you see a fiddle, guitar and pipe trio followed by a troupe of acrobats who can play a Jewish folk tune in thrash metal style) but consistently high standard. All thoroughly enjoyable though, as we had both been working early shifts and the berth at Albert dock was not the most conducive to sleep, we were drooping by midnight on Sunday.
We had, of course, been studying the weather forecast closely. It was ever changing, the only consistency being that it would be challenging to plan and sail South. On Monday we woke after another broken night and decided that we were not in a fit state to leave in the current conditions, so delayed for 24 hours which at least allowed us to catch up on laundry and other tasks. Tuesday brought yet another change to the forecast. The only sailable day in the next 5 was Saturday, and even then the wind would be right ahead. As I had an unbreakable appointment in the South of England the following Monday, an executive decision was made to return home and try again next week. So, back to Gremista, back on the ferry. Fingers firmly crossed.
