Gently Gliding into Houton

Here is the Hoy Head gliding into Houton jetty in an early blink of low, silver, sunshine.  She plies her trade across Scapa Flow between Houton, Flotta and Lyness on Hoy.  Although useable by foot passengers she mainly carries cars, wagons and tractors etc.  Ironically the ‘below sea level’ saloon holds about 80 folk but it is usually empty.
The Hoy Head’s passage in October 1989 was headline news.  Setting off for Flotta in a very thick haar the crew soon couldn’t see their own wheelhouse.   After what seemed like days, things maritime slowly became clear.  They saw an albatross; even the crew started spewing. To this day it is the only time any of the crew have sailed around Cape Horn.  The headlines in the Orcadian were ‘Erik Heddle’s cattle float cowped in rough crossing’.

The other vessel in view is currently perplexing locals.  Sandy Robertson is living in it, but which Sandy Robertson has yet to be confirmed. 

I’d like to thank Blip Central for supplying the early sunlight. 

Thanks also to my Careers Advisor whose only advice was ‘….and never buy a camera’.

‘Legs’ Larry Smith is 76.