We are getting closer to spring tides again, so I took a good look at the tidal atlas. If we left Fair Isle at seven we would have a weak tide in the wrong direction for an hour, then a reasonable tide (1-2 knts) for the next six. The unknown question was if there would be overfalls off Sumburgh Head when we got there.
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| Leaving North Harbour, Fair Isle |
The sea state off Fair Isle at 07:00 was a bit lumpy, but we managed to get the main sail up, although we never used it. However it was very helpful to steady us in the swell, and we needed it. There was no sign of the Shetlands until Fair Isle had faded into the haze behind us, so we were steering on the compass and chart plotter. We steered due north, while the tide carried up north east where we wanted to go.
The tide was dying as we got close to Sumburgh Head, but the light wind was straight behind us as it had been all morning. Luckily there were no overfalls, just huge swells that rolled under us. One moment we could see the whole of the cliff face, and the next only half of it. This went on for half an hour with Julian helming.
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| past Sumburgh Head |
We turned towards the anchorage of Grutness Voe at 13:30, and were anchored in 4m by 14:00. It had been a stressfull trip, with the wind behind, and no chance to use the sails, but the anchorage is calm, although every now and then we can hear and see the the planes landing in the airport just behind us.
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