Blustery!

Winter has returned with vengeance... We're now amidst Storm Gertrude which is surely pummelling Unst. We have opted for a drive in the car to see the seas around the island rather than ride out the stormy seas in the marina. It would seem its not just us who have seeked the safety of land with two large ships sheltering at the harbour awaiting calmer weather. The entire island despite covering 120.7km2 and reaching heights of 284m seems to be covered in a thick haze of salty sea air. We have just heard that at 1pm 105mph was recorded

In the days leading up to Storm Gertrude we took advantage of the slightly calmer winds and went a walk around the Loch of Cliff, from Baliasta returning via Haroldswick, a lovely walk with some beautifully hilly scenery, even if it did insist on raining from the moment we left until the moment we returned... thanks to Westray Processors for there kind donation of waterproof jackets we stayed dry though!

Over the last while we have began to notice a smell of fuel aboard and with some investigation have discovered our under deck fuel tank has developed a small leak, which being almost in the same compartment as we are causes some concern. So with the fuel tank drained we will look to lift the deck and remove and replace as soon as weather allows. The fuel tank, which came with the boat, must be nearly 20 years old, so I guess its about time anyway.

We are now sitting in the safety of our car, watching the waves roll (fly!) in, looking across the haze to Yell and enjoying a Stockans oatcake...its a hard life eh?! Stay safe folks!

Cleaned bottom(!)

New Spotlights aboard, handy for winter nights!

Ominous Clouds! Low temperatures and significant amounts of snow, the next shower was on the horizon!

A Heron visits the marina!

Before we could consider taking the boat on a longer journey we needed to remove some of the growth that had appeared over the 6 months she has been afloat. Whilst there might be a possibility of someone locally lifting her out of the water we decided to take her to shallow waters to scrub her down ourselves.

Monday morning we decided to head out to find a suitable beach but we got no further than a clicking starter motor, with new fully charged battery aboard, we had to investigate what other could be causing the problem. Joking to each other we thought there was no way this could be down to an earthing problem again, 18months after the first incident! However with the lend of some jump leads from the Shop and Garage owner we discovered it was indeed a bad earth! We had the garage make up two new earth leads for us and fitted them on Tuesday. With the forecast looking perfect for beaching on Wednesday we headed out and found a shallow and sheltered beach on Yell, although quite stoney it was shallow enough to walk round her without having to fully beach her. Anchoring in the still calm we jumped overboard in our drysuits and could push her round whilst scrubbing her.

Stopping to watch a pod play around Quickstep on our journey back to Unst

With a clean bottom (!) we took the opportunity to run the auxiliary outboards as we headed back to Unst, stopping for a few minutes drifting as a pod of possible 6+ played around the boat, before disappearing to deeper water. 

Our route, shown by our AIS

Muckle Flugga Lighthouse

Today with the wind on the increase we went for a more land based exploration, walking through the Hermaness Nature Reserve to the Muckle Flugga view point, through the icy/snowy paths.

It's Cold!!

After several weeks of stormy weather reminding us that we are firmly in the middle of winter the winds have disappeared and the cold has moved in. We had lost all hope of a winter crossing, but with calmer weather it no longer seems so impossible. The snow has settled and with temperatures around -6 C we almost feel like were in Norway already! 

 

We took a stroll to the shop to buy some diesel for our heater aboard, which has kept us cosy as we look out on the frozen sea...

The frozen water in the marina only broken where Daniel pushed through with our dinghy, using the oar as an icebreaker!

Sheets of ice were left as the tide receded 

Cold but calm, the marina mirroring the clouds above

As the clouds passed and snow fell, we were left with a beautiful sunny day, if only the temperature was 30C higher it would be summer! However the low temperature with no wind chill means we haven't needed to don our winter clothing...as yet!

If weather stays favourable over the next few days we might look at careening Quickstep. Months in the water has meant she has a considerable amount of growth and that will not only slow her down but reduce economy, something we would prefer to avoid! 

2016

Islanders perhaps in general tend to take far more notice of wind speeds and directions than those on the mainland, living aboard though definitely means keeping a close eye on the weather and wind. Even in the shelter of the Baltasound mole harbour we have been feeling the effects of Storm Frank. With gusts reaching 100mph plus recorded one night on Unst its been a bouncy few days aboard. As per usual Quickstep has responded well and we have adapted ourselves, with the snatching and jerking becoming just a normality.

New Years Day Walk, looking back towards marina

We spent Hogmany evening with Daniels family before a quick pint in the local pub and returned aboard for the bells. While we're aware the majority of you will not have brought the New Year in aboard a 23ft boat at the Northernmost Island in Scotland, we loved it!

2015 was the beginning of Papay Arctic Adventure Part 2, and we have many happy memories along with some sad and trying ones.
Now 2016 we have a lot to look forward to this year, but we're also very happy to focus on the present, enjoying our time in Unst, at the beginning of our little adventure...

Happy New Year everyone, we hope it brings you great happiness, fond memories of those no longer with us and strength in the tough times.

From us aboard