It's been a long time coming but we finally made it to Orkney this afternoon. It has given us a fantastic sense of achievement to get this far after everything we've had to endure on the way. Getting around Cape Wrath was a turning point and a relief to get past that infamous headlands. Then just two days later we have another feather in our cap. Reaching Orkney. 1221 miles, a day short of two months and we have reached our goal. There were a few times when I didn't think we would make it. Not the rough weather when we were sailing, I knew we would always get through that no matter how unpleasant it was at the time, but with the engine problems and what seemed like and endless string of low pressure systems trying to flatten us, our chances of getting here seemed slim at times.
We set off at 0430 from Loch Eriboll, motoring into the wind, but as soon as we could we hoisted the mainsail and unfurlled the genoa and pointed Pixie towards Orkney. As we cleared the Loch the sun rose above the headlands to the east. Although the sun was out, the NW breeze was still cold. We allowed ourselves 10 hours to cover the 50 miles, as we had to be at the entrance to the sound of Hoy for 1435 to catch the tide in. As it was, we had a cracking sail and arrived an hour early. A small pod of dolphins joining us as we approached the isles.
We could have sailed around waiting for the tide to turn in our favour, but we were making good speed, so went in against the tide with no ill effects.
Stromness looks and feels like St Peter Port in the channel islands, or Fowey with lots of buildings backing onto the harbour. But unlike their southern counterparts there are no fancy facades or vast selection of restaurants. Stromness seems to be shy in comparison, the long main street is laid in flagstones, and houses and shops appear similar, only by looking in the window or above the door do you find out which is which.
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