Helmsdale

We didn't set an alarm. It was gone eight before we woke. Alison's 1/2 pint of Strongbow had given her a thumping hangover and she didn't want to move. That will teach her to drink better quality cider!
I left her to surface and ready the boat for departure and went to 'fetch the messages' as I learned to say as a child in Glasgow. Today's messages were cranberry juice and morning rolls. Proper morning rolls seem unobtainable outside Scotland (Orkey seems to be outside Scotland). Leaving the harbour I couldn't resist walking over the A9 bridge to view the harbour from above and see what the flag poles behind the road were about.
The poles were part of a monument to the Highland Clearances. They were flying the flags of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland. There was an empty pole. Interesting. In the car park was a very elegant tea room. Closed and up for sale.

The monument itself is a fine piece of modern sculpture in what might be "post socialist realism" style.

The old harbour is ridiculously photogenic but I wouldn't want to try and get a boat into it.

I usually wish boats were kept for going on the water but this flower bed is beautiful.

I got back to the new harbour (with messages) to find Alison up and the boat ready. We finally got to meet the harbour master and pay. Helmsdale has great toilets and showers for visiting boats and is a really beautiful and friendly spot.