Farewell Westray

We left Pierowall Harbour at 0845, having prepared everything in port (bowsprit out, jib bent on e.t.c). We had an interested audience in Jelle and Hidije from Gaia, who took pictures, "A lot of preparation," said Jelle!

There was hardly any wind, but we raised the staysail as we went through the entrance, and we had the main up 5 minutes later to motor over a glassy sea. We tried turning the engine off and sailing as we left the bay, but were only making one and a half knots, and that was mostly tide, so the engine went back on and the autohelm took over.

We motored slowly along the coast, admiring the bird life, as Red Holm, Red Head, and Grey Head passed slowly by. We got a call from Gaia asking if the tide was against us in the Lashy Sound, but had to reply that we had not got there yet!

Within half and hour we could see them astern. They had been meaning to leave at 11, so as to know they would have no tide against them, but decided that if Robinetta could get past Sanday against the tide then so could they! They were intending to go all the way to Wick in one shot, so leaving earlier made more sense too.

Sanday is known for its high tech cottage industry, so Julian turned the wi-fi dongle on. Sure enough, we had excellent connection; the best speed for weeks! I sent some e-mails then came back up on deck to find we were well over on the Sanday side of the channel with no tide against us.

Gaia stayed mid channel in the Eday Sound, then turned to follow our track. We did not know why until Hijide came forward carrying a white plastic bag all tied up, and as Gaia came along side she handed it over.

Pancakes! 2 cheese, and 2 plain with honey, apricot jam, and icing sugar to finish them off. Ready to eat on plastic plates and still hot from the pan. A wonderful farewell gift from lovely people. We had the jib out and were (motor) sailing so hopefully they got some good pictures of us. We just tucked gratefully into our unexpected lunch!

As we passed Linga Holm we started to get swell, and by the time we were off Millgrip there were cross seas. We came off autohelm and I hand steered. As soon as we were clear of Rothiesholm Head and on course for Copinsay the cross seas were gone and we were just in swell.

We carried the tide (or it carried us) down the Stronsay Firth at 5-6 knots. We could see Kirkwall up the Firth, and Gaia ahead of us, but both disappeared into the distance as we closed with Deerness to head through the Copinsay Pass.


The swell disappeared as we got into the shelter of the Copinsay Horse, then Copinsay and we motored through in totally flat seas. There was a strong line on the water ahead, and as soon as we were through the shallows we were in disturbed water as a tidal eddy came out of Newark Bay. Lots of little waves, nothing more than 1' high and occasional proto-whirlpool swirls on the water. Fun to watch.

We turned west into Holm Sound and motored up to see Churchill Barrier no 1 and get a glimpse of the Italian Chapel before heading for Churchill barrier no 3 and the sheltered anchorage between Glimps Holm and Burray. A lovely spot! We anchored in 12' of water and rowed ashore to a sandy beach for a walk. Just perfect.