It's not always plain sailing...

Day 21: Wednesday, 20th May 2026.

Stronsay, Orkney to Fair Isle to Lerwick, Shetland

Duration - forevvvvver! (12.5hrs)

The gale force winds had dissipated by 5am, so we were up at 5.30 for a 6am departure, to catch the favourable tide to Fair Isle. Because of the preceding winds the seas were pretty rolly with waves around two metres - definitely not my favourite sailing conditions, but just before midday Fair Isle came into view....

...Feeling relieved the passage was over, and ready for lunch, we motored into the small but pretty harbour...

...only to find all of it was cordoned off for major jetty works...

...leaving no room for visiting boats...so with heavy hearts we raised the sails once more, and headed out into even gnarlier seas...

...4 metre waves for the first wee bit, and then slamming and rolling against a turning tide ...another 6.5 hours to endure till the Shetland Isles came into view... 20 miles up from the southern tip of the mainland and then a happy sail into a very welcoming Lerwick harbour...

...and found a space on the pontoon to tie up...

...and go for a delicious Thai dinner, and then to bed to sleep verrrry soundly indeed.