Pierowall, Orkney 59:19.393N 002:58.577W
Pelagia
Frans & Sarah Toonen
Wed 12 Aug 2015 18:15
| Wednesday 12th August 2015. 47.1nm, 2 engine hours, Southerly 3. Sunny and warm! An efficient day using the available wind for once. The tide was strong as we rounded North Ronaldsay so we decided to motor rather than be pushed north west out of the bay and way from our destination at Westray. We came to the NW corner of Orkney as it seemed the southerly and southwest/east winds would enable passage onwards to Loch Eribol and Cape Wrath. Picking up the late evening weather changed our plans as the swell at Cape Wrath was forecast at 5m (rough to very rough) and a big low pressure system was tracking towards Iceland and creating the swell. Being on the NW corner we needed to get across to the SE corner to cross the Pentland Firth and once more aim for Wick and then Inverness. There are strong currents between the islands and so to make the best use of them we had to plan to set off by 0730. This was a shame as the delicious crab factory shop doesn’t open until 8am. At least the adjacent bakery is open all night - just walk in - and we could get fresh rolls. |