Friday
11th November Fresh to Very strong SE-E
Sunny
intervals, Heavy rain in the evening, cold 7C
The
ferry timetable on the Orkney Ferries website states the ferry to
Kirkwall will leave North Ronaldsay at 11:00 a.m. I feel relaxed as I
pack the bike and clean the hostel. It is time for me to start the
long cycle south. Time to go home.
Everything
is done. The kitchen, bedroom and bathroom are all clean and the bike
is as heavy as ever with the four panniers full, the tent and
sleeping bag beneath The Lads and Ophelia the Orca.
I
come out of the hostel.
Where's
the ferry? I saw it in harbour ten minutes ago.
It
has gone!
The
time is 10:20 a.m. and it has gone.
I
rush around to see that it is half way across the bay to Papa
Westray. I am stuck on North Ronaldsay!
I
rush into the Bird Observatory and check with Larissa and Samuel on
the internet.
11:00
a.m. - that's what Orkney Ferries website states. No notice of any
changes on the company's home page. Two weeks ago the Friday ferry
here was postponed until Saturday due to the weather. That was
displayed on the home page. No such changes displayed this time.
Not
too happily, actually I am rather cross (!), I phone the main office.
The
first lady who answers soon passes me on to another colleague. The
next one does the same. The next one asks for my telephone number and
says that she will ring back after consulting someone else.
By
now it is ten to 11 and thinking that I will be here for another week
on North Ronaldsay, I go with Larissa and Samuel to the World War
Memorial about a mile away to pay respects. Remembrance Day, 11th
of the 11th at 11.
Larissa
reads a poem out by John McCrae after we observe the two minutes
silence.
In
Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We
are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take
up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
A
phone call from Orkney Ferries. They are sending the ferry back to
fetch me. I can't believe it!
Twenty
minutes later after a mad dash back to the Observatory to collect
everything, I am on the ferry waving goodbye to Alison, Kevin,
Larissa and Samuel. Kirkwall here I come.
Thank
you Orkney Ferries. I hope you will put my suggestion on your home
page in capitals:-
IF
YOU SEE THE BOAT IN THE HARBOUR, GET ON IT!
No comments:
Post a Comment