Round Britain day 26

[Blueboatman]

Roger, not sure how much you like to read whilst on passage
But I’ve just finished reading the Jan Baalsrud story ( We Die Alone ?, David Howarth )
And have just opened The Shetland Bus by the same author , fascinating if humbling stuff.

 

[srm]

There is now a monument to "The Shetland Bus" in Scalloway and very interesting exhibits in the Scalloway museum.
When we first sailed on the west coat of Norway in the mid 70's the fact that we had come from Shetland created instant friendships, even though I explained that I was not a Shetlander. "The Shetland Bus" was still part of strong memories for many Norwegians on the coast.

The seamanship and local knowledge of the crews is amazing. Pre-GPS I could find it challenging to locate the main entrances when approaching the outer islands in the summer. Those Norwegian crews were approaching that coast in the winter dark and weather without any nav aids at the end of 200 mile plus DR and heading for obscure channels to avoid detection by the enemy.

 

[Bristolfashion]

Well the day did not turn out according to plan. Who cares? Not me. After some breakfast, I checked the forums and then decided to do some more video editting on part 2 Humber to Eyemouth. After about an hour I heard the boat name being called, on the pontoon was someone who said he knows the the name from the ybw forum. I invited him onboard and he was very impressed. We chatted for about an hour and I felt he was lucky to have met me. He admitted he only has a Vega 27 moored in the marina and complained at how unpredictable it was to reverse. He went away with lots of tips and advice that should improve his enjoyment of his boat.

After sandwich lunch I went back to editting, but...............................I dozed off. Better to lie on my bunk than sleep upright with my lap top on my lap. Just over 3 hours later I woke up. I must have been tired as combined with last night that was over 8¼ hours sleep. I cannot remember how many months it has been since I slept that much in a day.

Once awake, I decided to read for a while before cooking some supper. Then back to video editting. Very nearly finished the first edit as I am sailing between Amble and Eyemouth. Eyemouth is the end of this video. Currently it will be about 12½ minutes, but will have some trimming to reduce it to about 10 minutes. So still a lot of time required, but not tonight.

The internet in the Orkneys and Shetland is not very fast, at one time today I could not get connected at all from my mobile as it was not even 3G! The marina wifi has a mind of its own and never appeared as available, but has a frequent habit of dropping out regularly. So it may be several weeks before I can load this video and may also have the next part near completion.

The time to leave in the morning should be similar as today as I expect a slower boat speed and it is 60 miles to sail. The first half is within the islands and the second part is in open water. The shipping forecast is predicting W backing S 3 to 5. Whereas Windy is showing SW 15 to 20 knots reducing as it backs to S 5 to 10 knots. The course is from Orkney is roughly NE, so will be reaching all day so may be able to set the spinnaker again. Let you know tomorrow how I get on.

View attachment 137273
Tonight at just after 22.00.

View attachment 137274
Interestingly illuminated clouds that I think are Stratocumulus.

Lenticular clouds I think - generally form at intermediate levels over land. Great to catch up in Kirkwall and hope to (at least) wave as you head back. Fair winds.

 

[Supertramp]

Odd comment, whats wrong with albin vegas? They have a lot of impressive journeys to their name!

The propellor shaft emerges behind the rudder plus they have a long keel. Either one of those design features makes for exciting manouvering. But they are fantastic cruising boats popping up in places and weather that scare others off.

 

[Blueboatman]

There is now a monument to "The Shetland Bus" in Scalloway and very interesting exhibits in the Scalloway museum.
When we first sailed on the west coat of Norway in the mid 70's the fact that we had come from Shetland created instant friendships, even though I explained that I was not a Shetlander. "The Shetland Bus" was still part of strong memories for many Norwegians on the coast.

The seamanship and local knowledge of the crews is amazing. Pre-GPS I could find it challenging to locate the main entrances when approaching the outer islands in the summer. Those Norwegian crews were approaching that coast in the winter dark and weather without any nav aids at the end of 200 mile plus DR and heading for obscure channels to avoid detection by the enemy.

All fascinating stuff
Thank you
Lucky ( and well done to ) Roger..

When I bought my first Garmin 50 second hand , oh wow.. I even put it in a Tupperware box marked “ only to be used in emergencies” yeah, right . Just fantastic to have extra powerful nav aids on board .
Fantastic skills the old boys had, feeling the refraction of the waves from cliff bases, the odd bits of disturbed water, all that..
Fortunately I grew up on wooden boats with naff all equipment so I picked up a fair few rudiments in dr and running fixes and uptide upwind erring ( and a LOT of patience and caution )..
I am really looking forward to reading the Bus book and the origins of the SOE.
Your northern nautical tours do sound rather amazing ..

 

[srm]

As the topic seems to have generated some interest there is one story I would like to share to add some context to the importance of the Shetland Bus to the Resistance. In the 80's we met a Norwegian judge and his wife in Alesund. They showed us around the area and discussions ranged over a number of topics.
His brother spent much of the war at a main lighthouse outside Alesund reporting German ship movements by radio to London. Almost at the end of the war the brother was captured by the Germans. Immediately, the Resistance took all his family members, even the elderly grandparent, in to hiding for protection. The only reason the Judge's brother survived the war was the fact that there was no Gestapo officer in Alesund at the time.

 

[Concerto]

Odd comment, whats wrong with albin vegas? They have a lot of impressive journeys to their name!

He was a little envious of Concerto. I agree many Albin Vegas have made substantial voyages. I am always happy to chat to many other boat owners, I never worry if they have boats superior or inferior to mine, I just love to talk about boats and sailing.

 

[Concerto]

Roger, not sure how much you like to read whilst on passage
But I’ve just finished reading the Jan Baalsrud story ( We Die Alone ?, David Howarth )
And have just opened The Shetland Bus by the same author , fascinating if humbling stuff.
View attachment 137294View attachment 137294

I know something about the Shetland Bus, but have not read this book. Just finished "Wintery mystery in Shetland" sorry cannot remember the author, and passed it on to Bristolfashion to read.

 

[Concerto]

The next report is here.
Round Britain Day 29