North Haven, Fair Isle
59:32.29N 01:36.21W
24 July
We left Lerwick at 9.00am having decided not to refuel - it
was low tide and the fuel berth was lying some 3m or so below the dock -
a great way to spill diesel on your decks. The winds largely followed the
forecast and gave us 15-20 kts most of the way - a little too much on the stern
for complete comfort and an offset swell that built considerably as we neared
the northern tip of Fair Isle where the wind at last changed to NW and set
itself almost directly against the tide. We were soon through this and
into smoother waters before taking the narrow and, until you get there, almost
invisible entrance to North Haven - the only decent place to stop on the whole
Island. We are sharing the Haven with 2 other yachts and the Fair Isle
ferry/supply boat - the "Good Shepherd".
Swallow in North Haven
South Haven and Sheep Rock
We saw puffins all the way - with several large groups as we
came into North Haven. I also saw a minke whale - briefly but at close
quarters and we logged our first 1000 nautical miles shortly before reaching
Fair Isle.
Fair Isle is a very fine little island, the northern half is
a bird sanctuary and whilst in theory you can wander around anywhere, you are
liable to be dive bombed by skuas and terns if you get to close to their
nests. We were - by several pairs of great skuas - sufficiently close to
feel the wind in our hair. Ann was not amused.
Dinner was accompanied by a piper on the cliff above the
boat - a Scottish guest on a Norwegian boat we had berthed next to in
Lerwick. The winds and tide continue to look favourable, so
tomorrow we head for Orkney and Kirkwall
