We set off early to get to West Burrafirth in plenty of time for the nine o'clock ferry to Papa Stour. The ferry timetable only allows for return trips on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and for the last two the return ferry is about seven o'clock, so we'd opted for the shorter trip today. The ferry was "full" with 3 cars and 3 pairs of foot passengers including Robert and me. The ferrymen were friendly and, when we were buying our tickets, we were chatting about the weather and the one with the ticket machine said he'd heard there was rain forecast "but I can't see it myself" he reassured us.
We could see Ronas Hill to the north and, to the south, we saw some huge cliffs. Robert wasn't sure where they were but realised it had to be Foula. It loomed large out of the mist until the mist thickened and Foule gradually disappeared. We arrived at Papa Stour at 9:40 and had 6 hours to get back to the terminal or we'd be stuck for 2 days without anywhere to stay or anywhere to buy food, so that was an incentive for a spritely walk.
We headed south to Kirk Sand through some fields and then followed the coast clockwise. What a coast! Natural arches, caves, sea stacks, subterranean passages (apparently), Kristan's Hole. Amazing!
We had reached the westerly-most point after 3 hours but Robert reassured me that it was quicker on the way back. We climbed to the highest point (all of 87m) and took shelter from the wind in the dry stone wall built round the trig point, where we eat lunch - ciabbatta made in the caravan with egg mayonnaise. The return trip was much quicker and we were back at the ferry terminal in plenty of time; so, we returned to the church for a look and also wandered round the "stofa", a restored timber building with Norse credentials.
Stained glass in the Papa Stour Kirk.
Fair Isle cushions in the kirk.
We were still in plenty of time for the return ferry. Everyone on the ferry this morning was on the way back. We were all treated to a susprise escort from the coastguard helicopter.
We reckon they were training for an emergency pickup from a moving ship. We could see the pilot and the other coastguard's faces and even waved them goodbye when the moved off.
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