“It’s a Bit Choppy”

This is the ferry I took yesterday morning. Looks innocuous enough, doesn’t it? Water looks pretty smooth too, right?

There is more than one ferry line from Orkney to Scotland. I arrived on Day One via Northlink Ferries. It wasn’t a great trip – Scout is required to stay in the car on Northlink, I had just made my first 7-hour, perilous, terrifying drive up from Glasgow, and the seas were rough for the entire 90 minutes. Not good.

My next few trips were with Pentland Ferries: much smaller boat, but a shorter crossing; there is an indoor gallery where I can bring the dog, and we are only in open water for about 15 minutes of the 1-hour crossing. With a Gravol, Pentland works for me.

Yesterday I had to take the Northlink ferry again – MS Hamnavoe (seen below). I took a Gravol, left Scout in the car, and headed upstairs to the lounge. It was a nice morning, so I thought I’d have a little tea and toast – averting my eyes from the family beside me wolfing down full Scottish breakfasts – they were massive! (the breakfasts, I mean. The family was normal-sized).

All was going well until the first of two announcements from the captain: (1)”The seas are a bit high this morning; we will try to make this as smooth a voyage as possible.” which was followed 8 minutes later by: (2)”We’re about to feel some broadside swell”. Oh dear.

On the whole, I didn’t do too badly. Probably my lowest moment was when, for the SEVENTH time in 25 minutes, the man beside me said, to no one in particular, “It’s a bit choppy today.” Truly, truly, had he opened his mouth one more time, I think I would have strangled him with my face mask.

I don’t mind discussing the weather, but for the love of God, show some originality.

Anyhoo – arrived safe and sound and had an uneventful (but very long) drive down to my Uncle’s. There was gin waiting when I arrived.