2025 5th May Day 37 Kirkwall to Shapensay.

A very short hop, mainly to avoid another days marina charges.

Elwick Bay on the southern side of Shapensay had good shelter from the wind and there are two free moorings. I was warned that the shelter from waves is not too good in a south-westerly due to refracted waves, I am getting quite a lot of that with a north-westerly and it is not particularly comfortable, and making the spag bol for dinner will be a trial, but the wind is forecast to moderate significantly as it backs to westerly over night.

There was not much point in going further north as it would just mean a later start tomorrow to catch a favourable tide into the Sound of Faray. Hopefully I’ll make Otterswick on the north side of Sanday tomorrow and Grutness, Shetland, or a bit further on Wednesday, I suspect motoring will be required but neap tides and light winds should calm the seas a little.

When the sun is out it’s actually feeling quite warm now when out of the wind (all of 50F) different to the last few days and especially nights when I have been using two sleeping bags to keep warm.

Leaving Kirkwall; it was a very short hop but I

did get to sail all of the way once out of the marina.

And I lucked out with the mooring, there was one

available and when I went up to it for a reccy the wind

dropped a bit from the 20 knts it had been and I 

grabbed the boat hook and the opportunity and 

got the pic up easily and first time.

It must have looked very professional from the shore 😄

I knew I had seen the anchored boat before on this

trip but could not place it. Then I remembered it

was in Kirkwall marina, and went back there after

a brief stay.

Photos when I get a better internet connection.

Just 4 miles in an hour and a quarter.