Jumping in Spiggie Beach

After a day around Aberdeen, we took Kuga (our fellow rental) to go to the ferry. There was a bit of a line, but we were in and parked at the lower level around 4pm. It all went very smooth. MV Hjaltland (meaning Shetland in Old Norse) is from 2002 but still looks good. We dropped our things in the inside cabin (our first inside cabin ever) and decided to watch the departure from the top aft deck. Weather was cloudy but dry and not cold.

After departure we found a table at the bar area (that was closed) at the front of the ship and I spent some time reading Sylvain Tesson, trying to manage my back as best as possible, helped by a nice IPA from Lerwick Brewery. We then had dinner at the canteen: fish and chips for the lady and half veal+peas and half mac & cheese + carrots for me. All for £22, a bit expensive but filling.

We then had a last biertje back at the front while reading and artsing before calling it a day around 20:30. There were many people already using the benches from the bar as a bed, some even already snoring. I’m glad we got a cabin.

At 23h we arrived at Kirkwall for a short stop and departed 30 minutes later. Night was a bit rolly. Having an inside cabin is not that bad although I did miss the natural light and would prefer an outside cabin if at all possible next time. Woke up around 4am and couldn’t get back to sleep. Backache may not have helped.

We were out of the cabin and ordered a double espresso and a cappuccino with extra shot. It cost us £11 as they considered it 3 espresso and a cappuccino. Aouch. We docked right on time at 07:30. As we were on the lower deck, it took a bit of time for us to get out since the main deck had to be cleared first. We were out around 8am and decided to head to the southern tip of the island, to Sumburgh.

We passed the airport and had to stop before crossing the runway as two planes were about to depart. We also saw many helicopters ready to service the oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. Arrived at the Sumburgh lighthouse, we were surrounded by flossies! We spent some time there as the weather was cold and windy but gorgeous. We saw tikiwaki and gannet bird nests in the cliff and contemplated the beautiful landscape.

We then took the car again in the direction of Spiggie Beach. The place we stopped at first that was supposed to be Spiggie according to Google wasn’t. But it was pretty nonetheless and J. made a cool jumping picture (my back was still iffy).

We then arrived at the real dune-y beach and walked there. It was rugged, wild, and pretty.