Left early in the am, dark. Motored some then had a great sail around the southern end of Shetland; Sumburgh. Old crofts, stone shelters absent of the old grass roofs, some new houses. Sheep farming and fish farming. Saw white and grey Andy beeches.
got stalled out in the shadow of the high cliffs and some funky chop. Around the east side and we saw the airport, old dwellings cliffs.
There were gannets and fulmars. Have not seen a shearwaters since Iceland I think.
Came into Lerwick. What a sweet town. Buildings made from big stone blocks. Decidedly Scottish. We tied up across from the Lifeboat. Big orange rescue boat that had 21 rescue calls or “Shouts” so far this year. There was the vessel “Wind Shift” with a sheared off mast. All feeding our imaginations of what can happen in the North Sea.
We walked the streets, got a few supplies. Cobblestones and beautiful cast iron gates and fences could be found in the tight little alleys that beckoned us to explore as we walked by.
Decided to leave at 3am the following morning. To beat the wind that was brewing north and would have made the crossing to Norway more hairy than we wanted.
Most shops were closed but James found the Lounge Bar where a game of darts, a few pints were had. A fellow, looking a lot like Robert Plant, told tales of their January Viking celebrations and carry off to NYC for Scottish and Viking Pride celebrations.
Off to the Dowry restaurant for a memorable meal.
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