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Sun 7 June 2009
Down the West Coast
An early start saw the Skipper cycling the three miles back to Roe Sound for a pre-breakfast ascent of Mid Ward on Muckle Roe. Then we sailed round Muckle Roe and in through the wonderfully named Swarbacks Minn to the sheltered waters and voes within. The NE 5/6 continued to blow, with a forecast increase to 7/8, so we made for the pier at the head of Aith Voe and berthed inside it in complete shelter next to the Lifeboat. Sure enough, the wind got up and white horses raced past the end of the pier, but we were scarcely disturbed, apart from the howl of the wind in the rigging. A lull for a couple of hours was enough for a quick ascent of Scalla Field, above East Burra Voe. Fine sailing in the continuing NE wind took us across St Magnus' Bay, through the Sound of Papa Stour,and down the dramatic coast of cliffs, caves, geos, stacks and skerries backed by green pasture land - a softer landscape than the barer north. After a night at the neat little marina at Skeld we sailed on south to the Bay of Scousburgh (photo), excellent shelter from the north, with a white beach at its head where a large group of seals were basking. From there it was a doddle to climb the Ward of Scousburgh, with its horrible summit of masts, extensive buildings, roads and a scrap car!
Posted by skipper at June 7, 2009 05:31 PM