An Orcadian Summer
Posted: Monday, 23 June 2008 |
The wind flings salt spay into my face and I turn too late to shield myself from yet another wave as it smashes into the heaving hull. Ominous grey clouds soar overhead and the familiar patter of rain onto my hood precedes the inevitable drips down off the peak and onto my nose.
Coming alongside the diver they periodically disappear beneath the raging surface as the crest of a mountain of water passes them by. I feel the deck heave under my feet and we roll until sea comes onto the deck, considering the gap between the water and the deck is usually around 4 feet, you can get an idea of how much we are moving.
The MV Radiant Queen coping admirably with the sea conditions
In the galley chaos reigns, the door on the fridge having swung open and it deposited its contents on the floor which are now rolling back and forward like some edible line dance to an unheard tune. Water slops out of the bowl in the sink, the washing up abandoned and the suds gradually being washed away. Drips from the tap actually miss the bowl, falling so far from straight down they land on the draining board. The rhythmic squeal of the lorry tyres strung on chains down our sides as fenders ebbs and flows with each wave, the tortured sound adding yet another layer to the whole thing. Out on deck a totally giddying experience is to look at the top of the mast as we take a wave, although I can only do this for a few seconds it is very surreal. Also when we go over a large wave if you jump just as the boat reaches the point of coming down from climbing the mountain you can get some serious air!
Just so you know this was last week, not March!
The rain is not quite as cold as usual.
Gales come only twice a month or so, rather than once a week.
You still find it funny that “Britain battered by freak gales” causes chaos, while up here its a “wee bit windy”.
You get both sunburn and windburn all at once.
But whatever its doing, Orkney remains (in my slightly biased view) the most beautiful place in the world (and there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing!)
Coming alongside the diver they periodically disappear beneath the raging surface as the crest of a mountain of water passes them by. I feel the deck heave under my feet and we roll until sea comes onto the deck, considering the gap between the water and the deck is usually around 4 feet, you can get an idea of how much we are moving.
The MV Radiant Queen coping admirably with the sea conditions
In the galley chaos reigns, the door on the fridge having swung open and it deposited its contents on the floor which are now rolling back and forward like some edible line dance to an unheard tune. Water slops out of the bowl in the sink, the washing up abandoned and the suds gradually being washed away. Drips from the tap actually miss the bowl, falling so far from straight down they land on the draining board. The rhythmic squeal of the lorry tyres strung on chains down our sides as fenders ebbs and flows with each wave, the tortured sound adding yet another layer to the whole thing. Out on deck a totally giddying experience is to look at the top of the mast as we take a wave, although I can only do this for a few seconds it is very surreal. Also when we go over a large wave if you jump just as the boat reaches the point of coming down from climbing the mountain you can get some serious air!
Just so you know this was last week, not March!
The rain is not quite as cold as usual.
Gales come only twice a month or so, rather than once a week.
You still find it funny that “Britain battered by freak gales” causes chaos, while up here its a “wee bit windy”.
You get both sunburn and windburn all at once.
But whatever its doing, Orkney remains (in my slightly biased view) the most beautiful place in the world (and there is no such thing as bad weather only bad clothing!)
Comments
I always try to look at the horizon when things get a bit bumpy, not that it happens very often.
Carol from IBHQ
Obviously you have very steady nerves. Glad you are enjoying your life and/in Orkney. Have a good summer.
mjc from NM,USA
looks like fun,d.o.a.d!
carol from over here
My best advice,is never throw into the wind,you will get your own back!
old git from breezy Lesbury
After coming to Orkney in May 2006 for 8 months, somehow I am still here. Running the MV Valkyrie in the summer and helping on the farm in winter is now my life. 
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