Safe Return Doubtful

Very contrasting weather here in the last few days, with two warm sunny and extremely calm days bookending two days of strong wind. The wind was apparently caused by the huge storm affecting Norway at present, named as Hans. This was 50 plus hours of 45 miles per hour wind coming from the northwest, making the temperature of 12C feel like 9. These aren’t great conditions to be close to the edge of cliffs, so I adjusted my plans to circumnavigate No Ness peninsula accordingly.

I was parked up at Sandwick Beach, a south facing sandy beach of about half a mile that attracts plenty of seabirds, seals and on occasion, whales. No sooner had I arrived when a guy came over and introduced himself as Frank. It was a fine evening and he took a chair and we chatted for an hour or so. He was my immediate neighbour he said, and to let him know if I needed anything. He was my age and lived with his wife, but took contact work sailing small tourist boat hires around Malta and the Mediterranean. I didn’t see him then for two days, as those were the days of wind, but this morning he came over again, to check I had survived the conditions, he said.

There is more population down here in the south, I guess because it’s within half an hour or Lerwick, and rather than the wild moorland further north, more pasture and dairy farming.

No Ness is another spectacular peninsula, with 30-50 metre cliffs at its terminus. It has far more rabbits than anywhere else I’ve been on Shetland, and though Roja has calmed in his efforts to catch them, I put him on the lead when we are within just a few meters from the cliff edges. On its north-facing side are views of Mousa island.

Even in the wildest weather Sandwick Bay is a treat to observe. On the calmer days a few dog walkers used it, and a group of teenagers swimming for an hour or so, albeit with wet suits. Also a woman and a dog, both with wet suits, collecting cockles from the rocks at low tide, having swum around to get there, much to Roja’s fascination. Seals just bask in the bay, watching the ducks, and occasionally trying to lure them close. Frank told me he had watched a duckling being initially played with, then killed and eaten, the previous evening.

On the wilder days the seals come onto the beach. The Arctic skuas attack the Arctic terms. But still no clear sight of an orca.

We were there for three nights and have this morning moved down to Shetland’s southmost point, Sumburgh Head.

No sooner had I booked my Eurotunnel following my conversation over the telephone with Northumbria Healthcare, I received a cancellation appointment in a text message, for 19 September. I guess my call had promoted this, though I can’t see why it should have done.

I have therefore put back my Eurotunnel crossing until after that, and called them again to see if they could give me any information on the length of time it would be between the appointment, which is a consultation, and the operation. They are extremely reluctant to give any idea at all, but when I asked if it would be weeks or months, they said the latter, and I whittled that down a bit further to 3-6 months. I may find out with some more clarity at the consultation.

I am returning to Cumbria next week for a couple of weeks, then the plan is to get to the Southern Hebrides for 3 weeks, Arran, Islay and Jura.

I leave you with some windy day views… mainly the dog’s ears being blown about..