When to move

Well it's blowing pretty hard here at the moment, so I've been trying to work out when to head across the Pentland Firth towards Wick. The main thing to consider is wind and tide. Tides of up to 16 knots have been recorded in the Firth.

We had a meal at the Skerry's bistro last evening on a trip around Orkney mainland, and had a good chat with Hamish, who takes birdwatching and nature trips around the firth in an old lifeboat. He advised:

Never go with an Easterly Wind. (We've had nothing else for two months)
Go into the firth around low tide. conveniently, he told me that low tide Dover is the same as the Firth.
If you find yourself being swept North East, go round the East side of Swona.
He also said a North westerly is due on Monday.

All of which means we are hoping to leave around 08.30 on Monday 25th June if the wind is not too strong. force 5 forecast by some. It might be a bit lighter on Tuesday, but swings back to the East on Wednesday.

Here are a few pictures of Orkney.

Watch this space.