2025 May 9th, Day 41 and 42. To Lerwick

Place holder, WIP.

Having escaped from Lerwick's dire internet the motion on the boat is not conducive to typing so an initial update with a couple of the pictures I transferred from the camera whilst alongside.

Approaching Lerwick harbour.

There could have been an international incident as I arrived. Unknown to me (I'm surprised the Port radio people didn't tell me) celebrations for VE day and the WWII “Shetland Bus” were just ending and 4 of the old fishing boats that took part were about to leave. 

The Shetland Bus was the name given to a group of trawlers that shuttled between Shetland and Norway during the occupation with arms, agents etc. www.liberationconvoy.com (I don't know how long this link will be good for, opens in a new window).

As I turned into the harbour one was mid water just sitting there, and as I was on final approach to the pontoon another cast off and went in front of me, with the first blocking one route out I had to dodge behind the 2nd as he went astern to avoid the first. All slow motion and I was clear by one of my boat lengths but he knew what he was doing and had seen me.

Put the sound on for both these videos and in the second hear a 100+ year old diesel running.

Also present, WWII vintage  Norwegian cargo vessel.
also a Norwegian naval patrol boat.

The locally built "Fifie" fishing boat "Swan"

I had a big disappointment on Saturday, after a long walk (for me) I found the fresh food shelves of the large coop almost empty due to the recent hacking attack the group had suffered. They did have a huge amount of chicken pieces but all only had a day or two on the expiry dates, no better than I already had on board. I did get some steak but if I don't berth at Kirkwall or Stromness, that I don't plan to do, ill be on tinned meat before I get to Stornoway or some other place with shops.

4.2NM in 1 hour.

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