Ark Royal - Pink Gin or Pink Gun?

On hearing that the Ark Royal was coming to Scapa Flow, an idea sprang to Johnny's mind. Yes, it was January ... but it could be quite fun to visit her - we might even get invited on board for a pink gin in the wardroom! The idea was mooted on the OSKA forum and before long, 3 folk of a similar mind "volunteered", all who could skive off work on Tuesday 27 January 2009. The initial weather forecasts were not great, but the morning of the 27th dawned with sun and a mild South Westerly that was due to die away as the day progressed.
Guided by Orkney Harbours information, Johnny, Peter Dave and Jackie met at Houton at just after 9am but actually launched from Swanbister. We were later told that the Ark Royal had been asked to "move on". We headed straight for the Ark Royal which was now anchored NE of Flotta. We made good time, despite a detour to avoid the path of the "Samco America". Cheery waves from the crew initially welcomed us as we approached from the starboard. However, as we rounded the bow almost within touching distance, we were politely informed by a lady officer (with gun) that a respectful distance of 500m should be maintained around the "warship". We deferentially backed a little further away but still managed a few good photos between us.

Quite a few other boats had come to visit, both officially and otherwise. In addition, there were several small boats decorated with a White Ensign circulating around the Ark Royal. We chose not to argue with these guys either! We reckoned that were nearly 20 boats visible on the Flow
After having outstayed our welcome, we decided to visit the "Samco America" which had now dropped anchor, a couple of miles away. The crew of the tanker seemed somewhat less interested in our presence (although it has to be said that to the best of our knowledge they were unarmed). It still looked a very unequal contest between Jackie and the bow of the tanker

The F in Fog

Thursday 5 June
The exercise had been cancelled by the lifeboat crew: Jeck was devastated!). It was, however, a beautiful calm and sunny day so we agreed to meet up, as planned, immediately after work. At this point someone suggested that, as we were no longer constrained by the lifeboat exercise and it was such a lovely evening, we could perhaps do something a little bit more ...
9 kayaks launched from Mill Sands across several miles of seaweed (or so it seemed at the time) at just before 6pm. Johnny was resplendent in his brand new skyblue and white Eddyline kayak. The water was lovely and we made across for Mull Head hitting the shoreline again close to Halley. The journey was idyllic and we were in no hurry. We explored the north coastline of Deerness in detail, popping in and out of every geo and cave.

Then, just before getting to Mull Head - the haar came in, came in good and proper, a real pea souper.
2 of us were separated from the rest of the group at this point but soon gained a fix on a well kent pair of vocal cords! The group now reunited, we realised that we were getting hungry (yes, we had come out before tea intending a short paddle). Emergency chocolate rations then came in handy before setting a course back. The sun filtering through the sea mist made some interesting visual effects.

We had got a deck compass (but no map). Our estimated bearing of due West would not have been far off the mark. However, we were understandably unkeen to to let the shoreline get out of sight. After exchanging greetings with a Dutch yacht, and land ahead we decided that Mill Sands was to the port side. We eventually heard the sound of cars on the main road and realised we had strayed south and were by the old Toab school at the Bay of Suckquoy. We were a little off track. We turned around closely following the coastline back to Mill Sands getting back at after 10pm.
The detour had cost us an extra 4 miles. The one silver lining was that the tide was now right in and there was no portage at the end of the day. Home for tea. Johnny and Peter agreed on a plan to tell their respective wives that it was all the other's fault, a plan doomed to failure.

Lamb Rescue

Tuesday 29 April 2008
Tuesday arrived bright and clear after the heavy rain on the Monday. That evening, 8 kayaks headed out from Inganess to the Head of Holland.
After a straightforward pleasant paddle out, we rounded the Head where we were surprised to find a young lamb and ewe at the foot of the sandstone cliffs. Sadly the ewe was dead -probably having fallen from the cliff. The orphaned lamb was left on the rocks at the bottom of the cliff without any apparent way to get back up again. We considered the situation - without help the lamb was unlikely to survive. So Johnny Johnston went ashore to retrieve the lamb which was then placed in the back of Matt Orchard's kayak. Matt then paddled a few hundred yards further round to a point where both he and the lamb could get back up to the fields above.

Mission accomplished, we took a brief look in to the Bay of Meil before returning to Inganess with the setting sun - a pleasant and hopefully worthwhile evening. Interesting question was whether lamb was born before or after the fall.