Wick to Orkney

17th to 22nd July
Wick-St Margaret’s Hope-Bay of Quoys-Stromness
Route and pics

Now in the charming, pretty and interesting little town of Stromness, I’m hoping fog will clear soon as it’s time to head south. (Sailing in fog is too stressful and tiring for singlehanded sailing)
In fact, I’ve not sailed far in ‘Misty’ in the past week, just long walks and tourist sights on the South Orkney islands of South Ronaldsay, Lamb Holm, Hoy and Mainland. After the Pentland Firth it’s been relaxing to feel secure in Scapa Flow. Crossing Pentland Firth was fine (beating north on a warm windy sunny day) but it’s strange to travel sideways at twice the speed you travel forwards!
Famous places in Orkney: Skara Brae (4,000 year old settlement), Ring of Brodgar, Old Man of Hoy, Italian Chapel etc. It really is a fascinating and delightful cluster of islands, plus it’s mainly been hot and sunny.

Enough…here are some pictures:

Wick Harbour

Sailing north past Duncansby Head

Hoxa Head, gateway into Scapa Flow

St Margaret's Hope - pretty at dusk

Ring of Brodgar

Italian Chapel built by Italian PoWs and popular for local weddings

Need to be skilled and brave to climb the Old Man of Hoy

Three hours up and down the stack, I'm told (137mj). Tricky bit is getting down before you start!

They sailed from Norway in a little boat. They climb too. (A Weshman, a Norwegian and a Finn)

A favourite spot of mine, Bay of Quoys off Hoy