I guess the final point on this ferry service issue, is just how many out islanders heading to Kirkwall, actually take a car along. Then, how many of those cars are really needed? When the weather is bad, a car is a nice personal shelter. But loading a ferry with them has to be costly and somewhat restrictive as to volume/numbers on any given sailing. In our north, people have taken to little buggies which evolved from a sort of a cross between a golf cart and a AVT four wheel dirt bike. These things have room for two or four people, depending if they are the one or two seat model. They are enclosed, heated, and the seats afe comfortable with seat belts. They are available with a thrifty little diesel engine, and they will move along quite handily. These sorts of things didn't seem to be engaged much in Orkney, and I was wondering if that would change. To move people or a large grocery stock delivery, these things would be fine. They also have a little utility bed on the back, which is fine for equpment and heavier things. They cost a fraction of what a car does, and they serve the purpose better in some cases, especially in remote and rural areas where roads are not so good, or indeed non-esixtent. Farmers here love them for gdetting around their land, fixing fences, and checking livestock. I just don't understand what the qualifier is for deciding to take a car to Kirkwall to shop, if you live on another island. The world is backing off the oil consumption volumes. Looking at transportation values is a key point to using less fuel. Stephen