Leaving Orkney - Surely Some Mistake?

We were driving to catch the ferry across to Orkney Mainland; it leaves from Lyness on Hoy.  Hoy roads are single track.  About ten minutes away from the ferry we rounded a corner to find a transit van stuck in the middle of the road and no way round.  We realised it was Crystal who runs the Hoy Café at Linksness.  CMC climbed in the driver’s seat and Crystal and me, and Ruby aged 6, pushed.  It was slightly downhill before a very slight rise to a passing place.  As we pushed I couldn’t help but notice that in the van was about enough provisions to cross the Atlantic.  Crystal had been to the wholesales in Kirkwall.  It was deadweight.  I then took out a tow rope from our boot, got under the van and then ran towards our car to get hooked up.  Then, remember that moment when the cavalry arrived?  Another vehicle came round the bend with four strapping young Orcadian men.  With CMC still steering they pushed the van uphill at 30 mph.  We made the ferry with minutes to spare.  We didn’t see Angus.

If you have read this far I have been working in the tunnel and weeding the sheltered bed.

Jesse Colin Young is 79

It is unknown as to whether he has visited Fair Isle.

SEA STATE:  Slight or moderate, becoming rough or very rough in west and north.
WEATHER:  Rain later in west.
VISIBILITY:  Good, becoming moderate enabling a good view into the Pattersons’ scullery.

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