Calm after Gertrude!

Sunset after the storms

During the full force of Storm Gertrude we sheltered in the car and once brave enough made our way to the cafe for a hot cuppa. It was all we could do to walk in the winds and we have since heard varying strengths recorded, all well over 100mph.
When we returned to the boat late afternoon we noticed the gangway leading to the pontoon had fallen off and it appears that one of the chains holding the pontoon had snapped. With the help of some locals and a JCB we were able to get back aboard in the evening and with winds dying down we stayed aboard that night, while the storm dissipated. We were again touched by peoples kindness, willing to lend a hand and even offer us a place to stay for the night should we have needed it.
With such strong wind there has been a lot of damage throughout the island. People are now, sadly having to reattach, rebuild and restore homes, sheds and walls.
Following close behind Gertrude came Henry, thankfully not felt too bad in Shetland.

View towards Hagdale Horse Mill

Thankful to be able to get out and about again when the winds had died down we took a walk around Baltasound, walking by Hagdale Quarries and Horse mill, a Horse powered mill which was used to crush Chromite in the late 1800's early 1900's. We walked back via the Keen Of Hamar Nature reserve, in summer home to some very rare flowers, one of which is only naturally found in Unst, but as we walked through it in winter it was a rocky, snowy barren land.

Today we took a walk from the Belmont ferry terminal exploring the more southern end of the island, with the wind set to drop later this week we might get an opportunity to lift the deck and sort our fuel tank issue, all being well we can get the deck up and down in one day, minimising the disruption.