We have had water temperatures between 10 and 13 degrees all summer and often chilly winds. The long johns are automatically put on in the morning every day we go sailing. The caps are in the cockpit and are frequently used. The day we left Scalloway was no exception.

Another day, with confused seas took us to Fair Isle. The small island between Shetland and Orkneys. We had wind on the nose. It was strong enough, and westerly enough, to allow us to sail about half the way down.

The harbour in Fair Isle is small and there is a dock (no pontoons) with room for two boats where you can tie up. A slight swell came into the harbour even if the evening was calm. The island has 12 permanent inhabitants but thousands of birds.

We walked up the hill east of the harbour after dinner and sat there watching the puffins come home for the night. The were surprisingly unafraid of us and appeared to be just as curious about us as we about them.