A Life on the Ocean Wave
Posted: Friday, 02 June 2006 |
I'm back after a long absence. Settling in at new job. But the last few days allowed me to go back to my seafaring roots. On Sunday, consort & I took a trip on a Dutch 3-masted barquentine, the Thalassa. We sailed from Lerwick and motored out the north mouth of the harbour before hoisting the sails to sail around Bressay. Ruthodanort and daughter were also there.
As we dropped the pilot, the Knab (the Lerwick pilot boat) came alongside. In the backwash from the boat several of us got soaked. My camera survived but sadly Consort's died.
In the cabin, we had live music - courtesy of a couple of member of local band, Hom Bru. And a buffet lunch - including octopus!!
Once the sails were up, the boat heeled to the side but remained stable. Strange experience walking through the main cabin at an angle of umpteen degrees.
We circumnavigated Bressay and got a close look at the gannet colony on the cliffs of Noss before heading in the south mouth of the harbour. As we did the Norrona, the ferry between Shetland, Norway, Faroes & Iceland, passed us, dwarfing us.
On Tues, it was one of the activities days for Sandwick JHS. We took a minibus up to Scalloway and set off on the Swan - a lot smaller. (see www.theswan.shetland.co.uk for more info or talk to ruthodanort) The Swan was built as a drifter in 1900 and is 67 ft long.
Heading out the weather was cold with a strong northerly wind blowing - so a lot of tacking as we headed for Reawick. However, once the sail is up it's amazing how steady the feel. Felt quite sea-roverish standing there in oilskins and drinking a mug of tea before helping to change tack again.
Heading back to Scalloway the wind was more behind us and we sped along, with the sun shining by now. Face is now pretty red after all the sea air.
As we dropped the pilot, the Knab (the Lerwick pilot boat) came alongside. In the backwash from the boat several of us got soaked. My camera survived but sadly Consort's died.
In the cabin, we had live music - courtesy of a couple of member of local band, Hom Bru. And a buffet lunch - including octopus!!
Once the sails were up, the boat heeled to the side but remained stable. Strange experience walking through the main cabin at an angle of umpteen degrees.
We circumnavigated Bressay and got a close look at the gannet colony on the cliffs of Noss before heading in the south mouth of the harbour. As we did the Norrona, the ferry between Shetland, Norway, Faroes & Iceland, passed us, dwarfing us.
On Tues, it was one of the activities days for Sandwick JHS. We took a minibus up to Scalloway and set off on the Swan - a lot smaller. (see www.theswan.shetland.co.uk for more info or talk to ruthodanort) The Swan was built as a drifter in 1900 and is 67 ft long.
Heading out the weather was cold with a strong northerly wind blowing - so a lot of tacking as we headed for Reawick. However, once the sail is up it's amazing how steady the feel. Felt quite sea-roverish standing there in oilskins and drinking a mug of tea before helping to change tack again.
Heading back to Scalloway the wind was more behind us and we sped along, with the sun shining by now. Face is now pretty red after all the sea air.
Sooth end Springwatch
Posted: Sunday, 18 June 2006 |
Well, Simon King & the 主播大秀's Springwatch team have left Shetland for southern climes, but our own version continues.
Last week I was off canoeing in the sea with a group of pupils. We had a feeling of being real explorers as we sat having our lunch on an offshore skerry, viewing the seals and porpoises play around us.
Watching sunsets from our back door or the mists rolling in. As I sit and type this out I can see swallows coming to & going from the nests above our window & front door. My son got married to his childhood sweetheart. And finally, today while returning from seeing a band playing in the Shetland Blues Festival, I was wonderfully diverted by a while walking along the cliff tops watching a pod of killer whales hunting seals.
Life is good!! Who needs cities for entertainment??!!
Last week I was off canoeing in the sea with a group of pupils. We had a feeling of being real explorers as we sat having our lunch on an offshore skerry, viewing the seals and porpoises play around us.
Watching sunsets from our back door or the mists rolling in. As I sit and type this out I can see swallows coming to & going from the nests above our window & front door. My son got married to his childhood sweetheart. And finally, today while returning from seeing a band playing in the Shetland Blues Festival, I was wonderfully diverted by a while walking along the cliff tops watching a pod of killer whales hunting seals.
Life is good!! Who needs cities for entertainment??!!
Aye, da nights're fairly draain' in
Posted: Thursday, 22 June 2006 |
Well, midsummer has been & gone. The night's are drawing in now (oh so pessimistic). Anyway, nice sitting out late at night listening to the birds - particularly the whirring wings of the snipes. It's difficult to know what time to go to bed when it's still so light.
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