Definitely check at the visitor center by the Ferry Terminal. I'm assuming they're open in winter--but maybe shouldn't assume a lot. They should have current times for local buses, tour guides and important this time of year the opening hours of the various sites. They're real helpful if your there and talk to them in person, but if you try to email them it will go through Visit Scotland and, well, the information will probably slow or not too helpful. Some sites are always open, but some only when staffed and probably less in winter. Most of these would have hours on the Historic Scotland website. I don't think the circular bus that hit several on Mainland runs in the winter, but there should be connections to most. Most of the local tours are supposed to be pretty good. I enjoyed a Wild About Orkney one, don't know what his winter schedule is. I'd imagine you should be able to get a bus from Stromness to Skara Brae. The bus between Stromness and Kirkwall with drop you off and pick you up at Maeshowe. Should be something from Kirkwall to Tomb of the Eagles, Italian Chapel etc. But you'll have to schedule your time carefully. See all you can and enjoy. Karen English In a message dated 12/7/2009 9:54:51 A.M. Central Standard Time, clairseach42@yahoo.com writes: OK, so I'm sitting in a Starbucks in Edinburgh as I write this. Tomorrow morning I travel by Megabus to Aberdeen. I will spend the night in Aberdeen and then the next morning will travel by local bus from Aberdeen to Inverness and then from Inverness to Scrabster. I will catch the 7:00 pm ferry to Stromness and have booked 2 nights at a hostel in Stromness. This answers the question of cheap travel to Orkney. Now, my next question is: is there a tour company that will take me to "all" the archaeological sites? (I know I can't really do all, but at least all the "big" ones). I definitely want to do Skara Brae, Maes Howe and the Tomb of Eagles (and yes, I know it's on another island, but I'm REALLY hoping I can get there!) Thank you, Judy, mom to Josh, Eli and ^i^Kerry

Geeze Louize.....A starbucks in Edinburgh? haha. Too funny. When I did the Megabus numb bum run twas like this: I arrived at Glasgow early morning, got a cab (weird little black thing) to the bus depot, mounted a bus, and at this point realized that I was committed not to the straight run to Inverness as promised on the internet, but rather on a serpentine zig zag course that fiddled it's way along. I wanted to fly, but that was the year they changed the St. Magnus Festival to june, and all the plane tickets were sold out. Y'a think they'd just put on a night flight rather than wear out all those music seekers. I changed busses before even getting close to Inverness, and of course I changed there to the John O'Groats bus I think. It was leaving Inverness and plowing up those steep seaside hills, that I felt for the first time like I was in a country with some fresh air and scenery. BOuncing around lower Scotland is ok, and sometimes the scenery was nice, but there were people everywhere. The north is so much more open and rural. So I arrived in the morning in Glasgow, got to Orkney same day, and the bus that took us into Kirkwall stopped right beside the Cathedral, which has a huge tie to our family. When I walked down the street to turn the corner and access the front door of the Cathedral, it was as if I had been there before. I left my "stuff" in the entry, and soaked up the magnificent atmosphere in that hallowed old building. Twas a nice way to arrive in Orkney. Can't believe you decided on a hostel. Might be a good idea in the summer for someone, as there would be other folks to talk with, but not likely many locals. I enjoyed the b and b thing, because the people were so engaging, hospitable, and accommodating. The clean comfortable bed etc. was one thing, along with the food, but the friendship was the real thing. Lots of hours talking, with lots of explanations and history, past and present day. Some good laughter and a nice couple nights out as well. Hopping around from island to island is somewhat of a no brainer, because you are sort of committed to the boats...hahaha. Gotta think that in this world at this time, someone on each of those places would have a bed and breakfast, without breaking the bankroll. I went to Kolbein's castle and sat there is a spitting drizzle for hours by myself. I had the outer shell of an expensive 4-way hunting suit, so I was fine. That was a very good experience for me as well. I also went to Papa Stronsay and stayed there for three days. That was a major highlight. I sat in a pub one night, and thought I'd eat something. I ordered haggis and grimbister cheese with fresh berries somewhat like our blackberries. The barmaid thought I had lost it, til it arrived. Then she said, "actually, that looks quite good!" I also visited Rae Phillips' mill, which was a great stop. He is a delightful guy. I stayed a night at that old hotel near the mill on the little lake where people fish brown trout. I sat at the bar one night with an old gentleman from Edinburgh or near there, and he had been fishing for about a week. I was gonna give it a try, but the catch turned out to be, in Canadian terms, more-less bait-fish. Our trout in front of our place here run from four to twenty five pounds. Those little brown trout are hatchery released things, and i didn't see much evidence of lunkers. But the bar there was nice! And the bartender/owner was indeed a character. So, enjoy that trek on the megabuster. Ya might pick up a pillow, and make sure you grab a window seat. North of Inverness, sit on the right hand side. The views over the sea and the hilly lands, are captivating to say the least. On the John O'Groats Ferry, if the weather is ok, it's nice to stand up top making the crossing if only for a short while. And there is a pub in Stromness which has some great Hudson's Bay fur trade era pictures and memorabilia on the walls. forget the name of it, but it is an old hotel on the side of the street that isn't the water side. The Highland Park tour is historic, and their product ranks high in the world. A nice tour. Good luck! Stephen > OK, so I'm sitting in a Starbucks in Edinburgh as I write this. > Tomorrow morning I travel by Megabus to Aberdeen. I will spend the > night in Aberdeen and then the next morning will travel by local > bus from Aberdeen to Inverness and then from Inverness to > Scrabster. I will catch the 7:00 pm ferry to Stromness and have > booked 2 nights at a hostel in Stromness. This answers the > question of cheap travel to Orkney. Now, my next question is: is > there a tour company that will take me to "all" the archaeological > sites? (I know I can't really do all, but at least all the "big" > ones). I definitely want to do Skara Brae, Maes Howe and the Tomb > of Eagles (and yes, I know it's on another island, but I'm REALLY > hoping I can get there!) > > Thank you, > > Judy, mom to Josh, Eli and ^i^Kerry > > http://kerry-lujan.virtual-memorials.com > > http://cerridwyn-lujan-1989-2008.gonetoosoon.org/ > > > > "We tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and what a > wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress > while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization." > > Gaius Petrionius Arbiter > > Roman General, First Century A.D. > > > > > > _______________________________________ > Orcadia Group Photo Album > http://tinyurl.com/28bx9x > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA- > request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >

OK, so I'm sitting in a Starbucks in Edinburgh as I write this.  Tomorrow morning I travel by Megabus to Aberdeen.  I will spend the night in Aberdeen and then the next morning will travel by local bus from Aberdeen to Inverness and then from Inverness to Scrabster.  I will catch the 7:00 pm ferry to Stromness and have booked 2 nights at a hostel in Stromness.  This answers the question of cheap travel to Orkney.  Now, my next question is:  is there a tour company that will take me to "all" the archaeological sites?  (I know I can't really do all, but at least all the "big" ones).  I definitely want to do Skara Brae, Maes Howe and the Tomb of Eagles (and yes, I know it's on another island, but I'm REALLY hoping I can get there!) Thank you, Judy, mom to Josh, Eli and ^i^Kerry http://kerry-lujan.virtual-memorials.com http://cerridwyn-lujan-1989-2008.gonetoosoon.org/ "We tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization." Gaius Petrionius Arbiter Roman General, First Century A.D.

<http://claremont.islandblogging.co.uk> -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney

Thanks for all the suggestions!  I can't wait to get to Orkney! Judy, mom to Josh, Eli and ^i^Kerry http://kerry-lujan.virtual-memorials.com http://cerridwyn-lujan-1989-2008.gonetoosoon.org/ "We tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization." Gaius Petrionius Arbiter Roman General, First Century A.D.

Go to Google and get on to Orkney Tourist Board/bed and breakfast (or self catering, or hostels, or whatever) and you'll get a lovely list of places to stay, with prices. Tuck On Nov 26, 2009, at 6:46 AM, Judy Lujan wrote: > OK - well I've discovered that the cheapest way (though probably not > the most comfortable way!) to get to Edinburgh from down here is via > Megabus. Can anyone tell me about cheap lodgings in Orkney? I > didn't bring my camping gear to the UK with me - and probably > wouldn't want to camp with the weather we've been having anyway! I > seem to recall that the youth hostel isn't open in the winter > (though I was going to re-check that.) Is there anyplace anyone > could recommend if the hostel isn't an option? > > Thanks, > > Judy, mom to Josh, Eli and ^i^Kerry > > http://kerry-lujan.virtual-memorials.com > > http://cerridwyn-lujan-1989-2008.gonetoosoon.org/ > > > > "We tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and what a > wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress > while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization." > > Gaius Petrionius Arbiter > > Roman General, First Century A.D. > > --- On Thu, 11/26/09, orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia-request@rootsweb.com > > wrote: > > From: orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia-request@rootsweb.com> > Subject: ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 > To: orcadia@rootsweb.com > Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 1:00 AM > > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Maeshowe webcam (Bruce) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:44:53 -0000 > From: "Bruce" <ricardian@btinternet.com> > Subject: [ORCADIA] Maeshowe webcam > To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> > Message-ID: <000001ca6dbc$52841eb0$f78c5c10$@com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Broadcast times for this season - 30th November 2009 to 5th Feb 2010 > only > <http://www.maeshowe.co.uk> > -- > Bruce Fletcher > Stronsay, Orkney > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > End of ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 > ************************************** > > > > > _______________________________________ > Orcadia Group Photo Album > http://tinyurl.com/28bx9x > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA-request@rootsweb.com > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and > the body of the message

Sorry, my last email took off on me before I was finished. The Murray Arms is in St. Margaret's Hope. Marilyn In a message dated 11/26/2009 6:47:35 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, clairseach42@yahoo.com writes: OK - well I've discovered that the cheapest way (though probably not the most comfortable way!) to get to Edinburgh from down here is via Megabus. Can anyone tell me about cheap lodgings in Orkney? I didn't bring my camping gear to the UK with me - and probably wouldn't want to camp with the weather we've been having anyway! I seem to recall that the youth hostel isn't open in the winter (though I was going to re-check that.) Is there anyplace anyone could recommend if the hostel isn't an option? Thanks, Judy, mom to Josh, Eli and ^i^Kerry http://kerry-lujan.virtual-memorials.com http://cerridwyn-lujan-1989-2008.gonetoosoon.org/ "We tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization." Gaius Petrionius Arbiter Roman General, First Century A.D. --- On Thu, 11/26/09, orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia-request@rootsweb.com> wrote: From: orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia-request@rootsweb.com> Subject: ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 To: orcadia@rootsweb.com Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 1:00 AM Today's Topics: 1. Maeshowe webcam (Bruce) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:44:53 -0000 From: "Bruce" <ricardian@btinternet.com> Subject: [ORCADIA] Maeshowe webcam To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> Message-ID: <000001ca6dbc$52841eb0$f78c5c10$@com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Broadcast times for this season - 30th November 2009 to 5th Feb 2010 only <http://www.maeshowe.co.uk> -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney ------------------------------ End of ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 ************************************** _______________________________________ Orcadia Group Photo Album http://tinyurl.com/28bx9x ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I have stayed at the Murray Arms in South Ronh Ronaldsayh In a message dated 11/26/2009 6:47:35 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, clairseach42@yahoo.com writes: OK - well I've discovered that the cheapest way (though probably not the most comfortable way!) to get to Edinburgh from down here is via Megabus. Can anyone tell me about cheap lodgings in Orkney? I didn't bring my camping gear to the UK with me - and probably wouldn't want to camp with the weather we've been having anyway! I seem to recall that the youth hostel isn't open in the winter (though I was going to re-check that.) Is there anyplace anyone could recommend if the hostel isn't an option? Thanks, Judy, mom to Josh, Eli and ^i^Kerry http://kerry-lujan.virtual-memorials.com http://cerridwyn-lujan-1989-2008.gonetoosoon.org/ "We tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization." Gaius Petrionius Arbiter Roman General, First Century A.D. --- On Thu, 11/26/09, orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia-request@rootsweb.com> wrote: From: orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia-request@rootsweb.com> Subject: ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 To: orcadia@rootsweb.com Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 1:00 AM Today's Topics: 1. Maeshowe webcam (Bruce) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:44:53 -0000 From: "Bruce" <ricardian@btinternet.com> Subject: [ORCADIA] Maeshowe webcam To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> Message-ID: <000001ca6dbc$52841eb0$f78c5c10$@com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Broadcast times for this season - 30th November 2009 to 5th Feb 2010 only <http://www.maeshowe.co.uk> -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney ------------------------------ End of ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 ************************************** _______________________________________ Orcadia Group Photo Album http://tinyurl.com/28bx9x ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

HI JUDY: I'm a Canadian, and I found a quiet, traditional Orcdadian B and B on the water near Finstown. It is located in an area where you can't see other houses nearby, and it overlooks Grimbister the Isle from the north side of the bay, which affords a southern exposure for the mornings which is great. The owners are just super people, and the house is the classic old stone home with a slate roof, and two or three little stone fireplaces which create a nice atmosphere for reading or chatting in the evening. The rooms are spotless, the personalities are robust, the breakfast was good, and the bonus was....are ya ready....a sauna! Your got it. The guarantee for a long deep sleep and a healthy rise in the morning. FinFistownstown is nicely poised to access Orkney, and Jane Glue's new studio there is a treat, as is the Grimbister fresh cheese. If this sparks an interest, shoot me a mail. Not about to broadcast my best kept secret for all eyes to see and all ears to see. haha. Stephen. I might rise above, I might go below But I Ride with the tide and go with the flow On Nov 26, 2009, at 6:46 AM, Judy Lujan wrote: > OK - well I've discovered that the cheapest way (though probably > not the most comfortable way!) to get to Edinburgh from down here > is via Megabus. Can anyone tell me about cheap lodgings in > Orkney? I didn't bring my camping gear to the UK with me - and > probably wouldn't want to camp with the weather we've been having > anyway! I seem to recall that the youth hostel isn't open in the > winter (though I was going to re-check that.) Is there anyplace > anyone could recommend if the hostel isn't an option? > > Thanks, > > Judy, mom to Josh, Eli and ^i^Kerry > > http://kerry-lujan.virtual-memorials.com > > http://cerridwyn-lujan-1989-2008.gonetoosoon.org/ > > > > "We tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and what a > wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress > while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization." > > Gaius Petrionius Arbiter > > Roman General, First Century A.D. > > --- On Thu, 11/26/09, orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia- > request@rootsweb.com> wrote: > > From: orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia-request@rootsweb.com> > Subject: ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 > To: orcadia@rootsweb.com > Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 1:00 AM > > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Maeshowe webcam (Bruce) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:44:53 -0000 > From: "Bruce" <ricardian@btinternet.com> > Subject: [ORCADIA] Maeshowe webcam > To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> > Message-ID: <000001ca6dbc$52841eb0$f78c5c10$@com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Broadcast times for this season - 30th November 2009 to 5th Feb > 2010 only > <http://www.maeshowe.co.uk> > -- > Bruce Fletcher > Stronsay, Orkney > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > End of ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 > ************************************** > > > > > _______________________________________ > Orcadia Group Photo Album > http://tinyurl.com/28bx9x > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA- > request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >

OK - well I've discovered that the cheapest way (though probably not the most comfortable way!) to get to Edinburgh from down here is via Megabus.  Can anyone tell me about cheap lodgings in Orkney?  I didn't bring my camping gear to the UK with me - and probably wouldn't want to camp with the weather we've been having anyway!  I seem to recall that the youth hostel isn't open in the winter (though I was going to re-check that.)  Is there anyplace anyone could recommend if the hostel isn't an option? Thanks, Judy, mom to Josh, Eli and ^i^Kerry http://kerry-lujan.virtual-memorials.com http://cerridwyn-lujan-1989-2008.gonetoosoon.org/ "We tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and what a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization." Gaius Petrionius Arbiter Roman General, First Century A.D. --- On Thu, 11/26/09, orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia-request@rootsweb.com> wrote: From: orcadia-request@rootsweb.com <orcadia-request@rootsweb.com> Subject: ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 To: orcadia@rootsweb.com Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 1:00 AM Today's Topics:    1. Maeshowe webcam (Bruce) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:44:53 -0000 From: "Bruce" <ricardian@btinternet.com> Subject: [ORCADIA] Maeshowe webcam To: <ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com> Message-ID: <000001ca6dbc$52841eb0$f78c5c10$@com> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="us-ascii" Broadcast times for this season - 30th November 2009 to 5th Feb 2010 only <http://www.maeshowe.co.uk> -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney ------------------------------ End of ORCADIA Digest, Vol 2, Issue 72 **************************************

Broadcast times for this season - 30th November 2009 to 5th Feb 2010 only <http://www.maeshowe.co.uk> -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney

Any of you on Facebook, Radio Orkney is trying to build up their fan list. Give 'em a link. There's some video of the station and pics of yesterday's dolphin on their page. Sometimes they even give info about their programs. _Facebook | BBC Radio Orkney_ (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000359796170&v=app_2309869772&ref=name#/pages/Kirkwall-United-Kingdom/BBC-Radi o-Orkney/31395967167) Karen kjemem@aol.com See my photos at _http://www.flickr.com/photos/kareneinmemphis/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kareneinmemphis/) and links to my favorite websites at _http://karensconnections.blogspot.com/_ (http://karensconnections.blogspot.com/)

I saw a mirror in a bar at the Stromness Hotel recently that said "Redlan Scotch Whisky." Does anyone know if that was a brand of Scotch manufactured in Orkney in the past and if it had anything to do with the people named Redland that lived in Stromness in the 16th and 17th centuries?

I must point out that it certainly wasn't me that took part in the rescue!  It was Bill Miller (local fisherman) who took part and it was Bill that wrote the item in my blog. The lifeboat is a bit more substantial than a zodiac too - see http://www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you/scotland/stations/kirkwallorkney Bruce

Howdy All: Bruce's always interesting saga is somewhat surprising this time, with the news of the tired tupperware sloop in the photos from Grenada thrashing about in the face of an eastern blow between Papa Stronsay and Stronsay. It is interesting to note how often an honest mistake in judgement, can quickly endanger lives, and when the cry for help goes out, the numbers of people at risk multiplies. Far too often innocent lives are lost. In performing the post mortem on this interesting harbour front close call, there seems to be a few things stuck in my mind. I recall that piece of water between Papa Stronsay and Stronsay, when I stayed on Papa Stronsay, and a big east blow with convoluted seas in that location, would be for me easy to imagine. Bruce, the first thing that I was wondering, is if indeed it was a situation with a south east gale backing to east. That sort of pattern would make the harbour there like a dishwasher in full thrust wash mode, with seas thrashing on both ends of Papa Stronsay. I recall that Papa Stronsay while providing some protection indeed, is far enough off with a wide gap on the south end and a much wider gap on the north end. I recall that the ferry service seemed to use the north gap entrance to Whitehall, from the vantage point of my stone cabin on the shore at Papa Stronsay. When we flew in our north, one of the tricks of the trade of a float- plane pilot, was to seek out proper protected shores in a given gale, to secure "down" weather refuge, to ensure that in the case of a wind shift, the butt was covered. What is perplexing, is for a wind to be well established in a weather pattern to be backing, or turning more to counterclockwise, would indicate in the northern hemisphere, a significant low passing from north west to south east, located south of the location of the incident. This type of predictable condition, would be evident on weather charts and isotherm plotting on all the usual relatively inexpensive equipment usual to smaller sailboats such as the one involved in this case. Basically, as I recall, in the northern hemisphere, when you turn your back to the wind, the low is on your left, and our patterns of weather cross from nw to se. Thus, the question in my mind is this: Why would someone wanting to ride out criss crossed seas and a south east to east gale, park his boat on the east side of Stronsay or the leeward shore? I recall when on a delightful tour with Bruce, the whacking great bays on the west side of the island, and those amazing sugar sand beaches. To drop the hook and wait out the backing winds and the arrival of a calming system in the weather, would seem to have been easier had the lad from Grenada gone to the protected side of the island or the windward shore, perhaps in that north bay where the beaches are. This would have provided a secure hook for his anchor, without the thrashing which yanked his windlass overboard as his nose popped up and down like a cork. Somehow the whole thing, as in so many of these cases, gets it's footing on a big chunk of bad planning. The variable is a freak unpredicted squall, but in this case, it would appear from Bruce's evidence, that the winds were sustained, and when they started a backing process to east from south east, one could visualize the departing low pressure trough to the south of that location, moving to east before they would subside. Thus, the alternative to this risk of nine lives, including our friend Bruce, was to simply recognize the weather risks as predicted and anticipated by those in Orkney charges with that reporting responsibility, on the marine channels and the satellite broadcasts. The second issue is as old as Treasure Island, where a prudent captain taking shelter, would do so on the windward shore of a protective island. This skipper chose the leeward shore, downwind from his boat off Stronsay that night, the existence of wee Papa Stronsay notwithstanding. It would have taken no time to run with the winds abaft the beam in a following sea, that short distance around the corner on either end of Stronsay to the vast quiet bays on the west of Stronsay in that condition. If there is a reason beyond pilot error why this was not the option pursued, it would be interesting to know what it was. Many a sea captain in the Caribbean made this shore selection error, and I often wear a pieces-of-eight from the conception (1642) which reminds me of this. Indeed the famous 1715 fleet was a lee shore disaster of mammoth proportions, albeit in hurricane winds. My partner crashed his cessna 185 float-plane while moose hunting in a remote area of northern Ontario on a moose hunting trip, in 1986. It was pilot error. His plane was destroyed, his three passengers badly smacked up, and he was burned and suffered severe damage to one hand and arm. Then, when the air rescue squadron was engaged, one of the sky diving paramedics got tangled up on a spruce tree, and badly broke his leg. Oddly, this happened too about the third week of October. Point is, this little boating saga could have been so much worse. The other point is, in boats and planes operating in tricky weather, the skipper always has to be thinking about emergency strategies and those other three things....safety, safety and safety. Seems to me that the visitor from Grenada wasn't paying attention to some very basic rules. Most skippers would have struck out for the windward shore in the sugar sand beach bay. I am just glad, in reading the saga, that our friend Bruce didn't end up in the drink that night, as the rescue boat flipped end for end, and wallowed in those combative waves and driving winds. This little "event" could indeed have produced a serious consequence, for those on the aged tupperware Grenadanada sloop, for the captain and crew of the rescue helicopter, or for the crew of the rescue zodiac, including our good friend Bruce. So, what type of person would leave the comfort of his heated rover to jump into a rescue zodiac in a raging sea, to help a little sailboat crew flailing about in the face of danger? Well, I've met Bruce, and he is exactly that type of unselfish person. Good on ya Bruce! Steve From Canada From "the Shipwreck" by William Falconer, we can see the threats of that leeward shore, and the decision to avoid it. go, and haul!” ’T is the last command, In dark suspense on deck the pilots stand, Nor can determine on the next command : Though still they knew the vessel's armed side Impenetrable to the clasping tide ; Though still the waters by no secret wound A passage to her deep recesses found ; Surrounding evils yet they ponder o'er, A storm, a dangerous sea, and leeward shore ! ** Should they, though reefed, again their sails extend, Again in shivering streamers they may rend; !” ’T is the last command, And the head-sails fill to the blast once more: Astern and to leeward lies the land, With its breakers white on the shingly shore.And the head-sails fill to the blast once more: Astern and to leeward lies the land, With its breakers white on the shingly shore.et go, and haul!” ’T is the last command, And the head-sails fill to the blast once more: Astern and to leeward lies the land, With its breakers white on the shingly shore.et go, and haul!” ’T is the last command, And the head-“Let go, and haul!” ’T is the last command, And the head-sails fill to the blast once more: Astern and to leeward lies the land, With its breakers white on the shingly shore.sails fill to the blast once more: Astern and to leeward lies the land, With its breakers white on the shingly shore.

You can find the corresponding weather information for this particular day on the Orkney Harbours website: http://www.orkneyharbours.com/index.asp -> Live Weather -> <http://www.orkneyharbours.com/history_weather.asp> Click here for historical weather data -> http://www.orkneyharbours.com/history_weather_04a.asp?fldyear=2007 <http://www.orkneyharbours.com/history_weather_04a.asp?fldyear=2007&station= 3&fldmonth=3> &station=3&fldmonth=3 Beatrice -----Original Message----- From: orcadia-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:orcadia-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Meg Greenwood Sent: 29 October 2009 03:21 To: orcadia@rootsweb.com Subject: [ORCADIA] Rough seas videos Still shot and comments [one from Sheena who was ON it that day] http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/imagelibrary/picture/number2594.asp Video link : Northlink Ferry MV Hamnavoe leaving Hoy Sound on a 'routine' crossing to Scrabster in rough seas http://www.cruisebruise.com/Cruise_Videos/Cruise_Video_91.html Meg Greenwood

I remember watching a video of the HAMNAVOE in unbelieveably rough seas during a crossing to Scrabster in March of 2007. Remember, this is a massive ferry, stats online put it around 300 feet in length. This was not a rescue nor was there any crisis like Fletcher's report. Still, it reminds me why I find a occasionally find a batch of death entries in the Orkney Registration books that maybe have a father and son with others on the same fishing boat. Still shot and comments [one from Sheena who was ON it that day] http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/imagelibrary/picture/number2594.asp Video link : Northlink Ferry MV Hamnavoe leaving Hoy Sound on a 'routine' crossing to Scrabster in rough seas http://www.cruisebruise.com/Cruise_Videos/Cruise_Video_91.html Meg Greenwood

<http://claremont.islandblogging.co.uk/2009/10/28/rescue-of-yacht-in-mill-ba y-of-stronsay> -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney

All, That is some saga. What heroism. How easy it would have been for people to turn back and say it was too rough. I recall touring the Kirkwall lifeboat when it was anchored in Whitehall and marveling at the power, the strength, and the masses of electronic gear it had. To hit hard enough to injure a man's back while sitting on those foot thick air cushions boggles the mind. How strong is that boat, anyway? And to do all that was done in the dark of night in a howling gale with huge waves is really amazing. Congratulations for all involved. It was some story, and some rescue. Tuck Langland On Oct 28, 2009, at 2:33 PM, Bruce Fletcher wrote: > <http://claremont.islandblogging.co.uk/2009/10/28/rescue-of-yacht-in-mill-ba > y-of-stronsay> > -- > Bruce Fletcher > Stronsay, Orkney > > > > _______________________________________ > Orcadia Group Photo Album > http://tinyurl.com/28bx9x > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA-request@rootsweb.com > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and > the body of the message

Pleas, Bruce, what is "broken water"? Anne in s.e. Pennsylvania On Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 2:31 PM, Bruce Fletcher <ricardian@btinternet.com>wrote: > < > http://claremont.islandblogging.co.uk/2009/10/28/rescue-of-yacht-in-mill-ba > y-of-stronsay<http://claremont.islandblogging.co.uk/2009/10/28/rescue-of-yacht-in-mill-ba%0Ay-of-stronsay> > > > -- > Bruce Fletcher > Stronsay, Orkney > > > > -- Anne-- that's A N N E