North to Yell

We moved Robinetta yesterday morning to anchor closer to the shore. We could feel the wind’s strength even in our sheltered anchorage, and Julian was concerned about the length of the row ashore. Once the anchor was set I rowed us ashore to a sandy area, and we spent the day walking on Bressay.

We got back to Robinetta mid afternoon, and Swan arrived not long after I put the kettle on. She dropped her anchor almost exactly where we had been last night. Two gaffers in one anchorage! Being a training boat they raised their anchor ball, which made me feel a little guilty that ours has not seen the light of day this year. We have been using our anchor light though...

This morning it was my turn to raise the anchor. We were out of the anchorage and under sail, by 08:20, with Swan not far behind. After a day of force 5 northerlies the waves and swell as we came out of the shelter of Aith Voe made for an interesting sail close hauled. I had not properly cleared the cabin for the conditions, and all the leaflets and books ended up on the floor. Luckily the galley had been properly stowed, and nothing was broken.

We sailed best course to windward, tacking whenever we got too close to rocks or skerries, until the wind went too light to keep us heading into the swell. The engine went on at 12:20, and really earned its keep as we entered Linga Sound, between Whalsay and Mainland around 1pm. We intended to go through against the last of the adverse tide as the wind was also against us, so we should get no wind over tide conditions. The sea was absolutely flat, a pleasant change after the waves and swell all morning.

Julian had done the tidal calculations, and we should have only had about 1/2 knot against us, but Robinetta’s speed was down to 1.5 knots over the ground a lot of the time. It seemed to take forever to get past the harbour entrance and fish farm, then the Skate of Marrister beacon (The name is so strange I had to mention it), but eventually we were through, having avoided a large fishing boat coming through the sound in the other direction.

The engine stayed on for the rest of the day, although we were definitely motor sailing, not just motoring. The swell did come back one we left the shelter of Whalsay, but much smaller than at the beginning of the day, and we had a pleasant sail all the way to our chosen marina.

Burra Voe at the Southeast corner of Yell Sound has a pier with pontoons behind it, the entrance is hard to see when approaching from the east, but our trusty chart plotter made sure we did not miss it. We had phoned the pier trust last night to check there would be space, and we were met at the entrance and directed to the visitor berth, which seemed the perfect size for us.

It was lovely to get out of the wind and waves, and we were made to feel very welcome. The weather was perfect for a walk after dinner, and within 15 minutes we were at the top of a cliff looking down at nesting fulmers. I really like Burra Voe!