This trip was planned for January but due to my shoulder and neck injury at work, it had to be rescheduled to March. Moving accommodation dates from January to March obviously increased the cost of my trip considerably – January is a less popular time to stay anywhere unless of course you are wanting to visit Up Helly Aa in Shetland! I wish I could afford to visit more, but I can't – the biggest cost is the accommodation. I don't really miss Norfolk too much, but I do miss not being able to see my sisters more.
I had not seen Lucy, Vivien & Ray for twelve months, so I was looking forward to seeing them and a few other close friends. I decided to bring my car this time, which I was a little apprehensive about, but wanted to be more in control of my travelling and also I knew there would be more of a chance of Lucy going out if I had my car – she wouldn't go out anywhere last year as the only option was the bus which she obviously didn't fancy!
I'm not a youngster anymore, my younger self would have driven from Aberdeen to King's Lynn in one hit, but I decided to be sensible and drive over two days and booked a Premier Inn half way to break the journey which I'm really glad I did.
Wednesday 18th March
I had booked today off work as annual leave to give me enough time for final packing and to make sure I had done all those last minute jobs around the house which included cleaning the bird ponds out and topping up the feeders. Took my anti-sickness tablet (Phenergan).
I left my house at 4.15pm. My car was on the lower decks and the ferry was full I was told. Ferry left at 5.05pm (official time was 5.30pm, but if everyone is on board they do leave early sometimes). Beautiful sunny departure. I was booked into a mid ship cabin, Room 222. I always try and get a mid ship cabin as this ensures the best chance of a smooth passage! I have a strict routine to make sure I'm not ill – I go straight to my cabin, dump bags, go straight to the restaurant and return to my cabin asap and lay down and don't move until the morning. I had fish n chips and tiramisu for tea – lovely! Fingers crossed it will be a smooth crossing.
I made an almost fatal mistake, I ate my tea leisurely and suddenly I could feel the swell and knew it was going to be tricky walking back to my cabin. It was tricky but I made it back and had to sit down quickly and get ready for bed very fast indeed. As soon as I laid flat things felt a bit better. I didn’t move for hours! Couldn’t get to sleep properly until after midnight and then slept really well.
Thursday 19th March
My alarm went off at 5.15am. Had a shower and packed my suitcase up. I hadn't been sick and I have never been ill on this ferry, its all about laying down and taking anti-sickness tablets and the ones I take are awesome – I only needed one which I took early afternoon of Wednesday. As I found out a couple of years ago, you can NOT drive any distance with these tablets as they make you very drowsy and I won't ever make that mistake again. I feel much safer on the sea than in the air – I have flown here once and I didn't enjoy the take off's or landings with Loganair and flying is more expensive even with the islander discount.
Made two flasks of coffee up for the journey ahead. Went to breakfast at about 6.15am. I sneakily got extras in the "all in" breakfast and packed up a cheese sandwich for lunch, a cinnamon twirl, brioche bun and a croissant! I really enjoyed my full veggie breakfast. Returned to my cabin. Ferry arrived in Aberdeen at 7am. Drivers for the main car deck were called first and then the lower car deck. I hate this part of the journey, going down all the stairs and squeezing through in-between cars to get to your car and then waiting to disembark.
Anyway, after disembarking the ferry I set off from Aberdeen at 7.30am. Stopped at 8.30am for a coffee break. It was a gorgeous sunny day. It was a little stressful driving through Dundee and the outskirts of Edinburgh but after that, the scenery on route to the Ashington Premier Inn where I was breaking my journey was beautiful. Every garage I stopped at didn’t have a toilet, which was very frustrating, I found one eventually. I arrived at the Ashington Premier Inn at 13.45, which had taken me six and a quarter hours with several stops on route and I had driven 240.5 hours. There is a large lake and country park adjacent to the Premier Inn and families were feeding the Mute Swans and ducks next to the car park. I sat in the car having a rest until 14.50 as I was told that if I wanted to check in early it would cost £15, which I was not prepared to pay. My room was fabulous as Premier Inn’s always are – never stayed in a bad one yet. After unpacking I could have easily crashed out on the bed, but forced myself to go for a walk around the lake as I thought it help me to sleep better.
Outside in the carpark I met a lady birder called Nicky, who was also staying here and was on route to joining a Heatherlea guided trip at the weekend. She was a little anxious about walking around the lake alone and so was I, so we teamed up and ambled around the lake. We saw a fabulous selection of birds including: Mute Swans, 1 Whooper Swan, Coots, Moorhens, Mallards, Tufted Ducks, Goldeneyes, Canada Geese, Carrion Crows, Rooks, Kestrels x 2, Robins, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaffs, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinches, Treecreeper, Song Thrush and 10 Tree Sparrows which were in a bush just in front of the hotel by the edge of the lake! Nicky couldn’t believe it when I said it felt good for Treecreeper and they respond well to call. I only played a nano second of Treecreeper and one appeared right in front of us, I couldn’t quite believe it myself! It disappeared just as quickly as it appeared, but so lovely to see.
I received a phone call from Lucy who is not a happy bunny right now as she had a new television delivered this week which obviously doesn’t marry up with the old arial and she doesn’t know how to work her new washer/dryer!!! I had to phone the staff to try and sort the TV out. She either needs a new up-to-date aerial or it maybe it is linked to the internet like mine – either way it will be resolved.
Back in my room I had to spend a long time cleaning my muddy shoes up. Went to the pub next door for dinner and had a veggie burger in a bun with chips and dessert.
Friday 20th March
Had a brilliant night’s sleep, got up early and had a porridge pot and coffee in my room. I had bought enough porridge pots for every day of the trip to save some money. Vacated my room and packed the car up. Photographed the Tree Sparrows and watched a Blue Tit feeding on insects trapped in a spider’s web on someone’s car mirror until it was disturbed by the owner of the car and perched on a branch next to the car making a right noise, it was not happy! Lovely sunny morning.
Left Ashington at 9.23am. Drove through the Tyne Tunnel which required a toll fee of £2.50 to be paid before midnight tomorrow, but I forgot!!! Paid a fortune for petrol on route but when it got down as far as quarter of a tank, I couldn’t risk leaving it any longer – it was 1.488 per litre and cost me £48.03. The drive today was monotonous and boring and was all dual carriage ways. Didn’t really stop that much. Didn’t have lunch but stopped for a good half an hour at a garage and ate some cheese oatcakes I had in the car and closed my eyes for as long as I wanted to before setting off again.
I arrived at the Travelodge in Southgates, King’s Lynn at 14.50 and I had now driven 468.10 miles in total since Aberdeen. Petrol far cheaper in King’s Lynn as I knew it would be, I wished I had taken the risk and waited before I filled up. The manager of Travelodge agreed (at no cost) to switch my room 16 to room 30 which was quieter. Very nice room indeed, not as good as a Premier Inn room, but still ok – ground floor and window opens a few inches, better than not at all. No draws to put anything away in so had to leave socks and tops etc in suitcase. It was a good move bringing more coat hangers. Bathroom nice but no shelf inside shower cubicle to put soap or shampoos etc.
After unpacking everything, I left at 5pm and went to Tescos. Bought myself some tea and Lucy some flowers, plus some honey, hot chocolate and bottles of water. Arrived at Lucy’s at about 6pm and was able to park right outside her flat. It was so fabulous to see Lucy and we had several hugs! Lucy showed me her new TV (now sorted and linked to the internet) and Smeg washer/dryer and new chair from Next – the chair was not comfortable at all and considering it was from Next, I was surprised at how hard it felt to sit on and the back was angled slightly back – not what I would have chosen. Arranged Lucy’s flowers in a vase for her, cooked my microwave tea (Lucy had already had her tea, which is fish n chips that the staff bring to her from the local fish n chip shop every Friday) and then we sat and chatted. Lucy gave me an extra birthday present she had wrapped up for my birthday when I had supposed to be visiting in January – a box of Black Magic! One of the staff came in to give Lucy a letter, it was Tyla, nice to see him. I left Lucy’s at 8.30pm and returned to the Travelodge and got my car parked in front of my window. I should sleep well tonight!
Saturday 21st March
It was a gorgeous sunny day and too hot for me! Went to Tesco and paid £20 to have my car hand washed – this was way overdue and the car looked very shiny and new afterwards!
Arrived at Lucy’s at about 10am. Sat and chatted and then went to Castle Rising Tea Rooms for an early lunch at 11.30am. The tables were taken quickly and it was a good job we arrived as early as we did. People were sitting outside in the sunshine, but Lucy and I decided it would be a bit warmer to sit inside. We enjoyed their scrumptious special brie and grape sandwich made with their homemade granary bread and came with salad, crisps and a bowl of chips each. Lucy had her usual apple juice and I had a pot of tea. Lucy would never have gone on the bus, so I'm so glad I bought my car and she also said how comfortable my car was – she never felt comfortable in the last one. Lucy's favourite place to visit is Hunstanton and said she would like to go there too!
After lunch I took Lucy to Hunstanton where we parked up in Boston Square and walked past the Salad Bowl Cafe to view the cliffs and the Fulmars swirling round. Lots of people and dogs on the beach. There was a huge motorbike rally on The Green – so many people around, it looked like a bank holiday Monday in August! We walked through the cliff top gardens and then to a kiosk where we bought a 99 ice-cream with flake and sat on one of the benches overlooking the bowling green – so lovely sitting here. We watched two Pied Wagtails and House Sparrows on the green. Lucy was tired now and wanted to go home, so we returned to Gayton and sat and had cup of tea and a chat and then I left at 4.20pm to get ready to meet old work collagues from the QEH.
Nipped into TK Max (wish there was a TK Max in Shetland – I love it), bought three bottles of my favourite Scottish Kelp Soap and a funky turquoise bottomed coloured drinking glass. Returned to the Travelodge and attempted to get glammed up for my night out.
Met some of my lovely ex work colleagues from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at The Farmer’s Arms at The Knight’s Hill Hotel at 7pm for a bar meal and catch up. So lovely to see Hilary, Bev and Cilla! Lots of laughter and the usual banter between us – a really lovely evening and it was so good to see them. I didn't see Cilla on my last visit, so it was lovely to see her. Bev and her husband Paul have just bought a camper van – I said I would see her and Hilary here in the Summer then! Got back to the Travelodge at 10pm. Sent Bev a link to the Scalloway Caravan Park a couple of miles from me. Hilary looks the best I have seen her and seems to look younger each time I see her – you would never think she is the age she is! Stupidly I didn't take any pictures of us this evening.
Vivien and Ray are arriving by train tomorrow and staying in the Travelodge with me at 3pm!
Sunday 22nd March
I felt very sleepy this morning – trying to cram too much in. Another fine day although a misty start. Saw several Red Kites on route to meeting up with my closest birding friends. Arrived at Kelling Tea Rooms at 11.30am and briefly had a catch up with John Furse who very kindly gave me a belated birthday present. Met up with Eddie Myres, Pete Snook, Jacquie & Dave Bridges and their friend Graham (who visit Shetland every Autumn for a month) and we had lunch together. It was so lovely to see them all and I had five hugs within a couple of minutes – I miss hugs, no hugs in Shetland! Jacquie had an appointment so she, Dave and Graham left after lunch, but Pete, Eddie and I decided to have a stroll along the East Bank which I particularly wanted to do, as this is where my parents met.
There were no spaces in the East Bank car park, so parked at Walsay Hills. Choosing to walk along the East Bank was a good move as we bumped into several lovely people including Ian, Paul, Richard and Chris, so lovely to see you all! I saw Richard on Shetland last Autumn where we saw the Blackpoll Warbler together on Unst. Also saw a birder and his wife who visit Shetland, but my terrible memory fails me and I couldn’t remember their names (my apologies), also bumped into Steve and Sue Gantlet, so lovely to see Sue who has been following my blog since I moved to Shetland and she looked really well I thought. Eddie and Pete found me some cracking birds including a stonking male Hen Harrier, a Red Kite, a Bearded Tit briefly in the reedbed close to the path and there were plenty of birds to see on Arnold’s Marsh including Little Egret, Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits etc. It was so beautiful to hear a Skylark serenading us overhead! A gorgeous afternoon.
We ambled back to our cars and then went for a cup of tea (thanks Eddie) at the Cley NWT Visitor Centre where we saw and said hello to Bernard Bishop! Said goodbye to Eddie and Pete (more hugs) in the carpark and was intending to cruise the scenic route back to King’s Lynn along the coast road, but changed my mind when I reached Blakeney and headed through the back roads to join the A149 back to King’s Lynn.
Vivien and Ray had arrived at the Travelodge just after 3pm. We arranged to meet in the reception area at 5.40pm. It was so fabulous to see my dear sister Vivien and her partner Ray again, several hugs were had! We then walked a few yards to the Hungry Horse pub next door and had a really lovely Sunday roast and dessert. We retired back to our accommodation at around 9pm ish. I gave Vivien and Ray a small present from Shetland (I had given Lucy the same, a Shetland pony tea towel and some cakes. Felt very tired when I got back to my room. Burning the candle at both ends as they say!
Monday 23rd March
Vivien, Ray and I met in the reception at 9.45am and arrived at Lucy’s at 10am. Lucy was not in the best of moods all day which was a shame, being as this was the first day with sisters. We all went to The Crown at Gayton for lunch but changed our minds, left and went to the Castle Rising Tea Rooms instead where we all had a lovely lunch. Lucy wanted to go back home after this, so we returned to Gayton and had tea and cake at Lucy’s.
I had bought my draughts board with me in case anyone wanted a game! My late father and I played draughts ALOT as father said if I won he would give me £5, which was alot of money in those days. I never won. I nearly did once, I can remember that game like yesterday – my father usually sat looking quite relaxed and knew every move he was going to make several moves ahead – on this particular game he sat forward and had his his hand on his chin and looked a little worried. I remember keeping calm and feeling excited that I was going to win the promised £5. But of course he still won and smiled smugly at the end! I relayed this story to Ray and my sisters. Ray very kindly agreed to play a game of draughts with me and I lost badly, father would have been disappointed in me but would have also been laughing his head off! We left around 6pm (Lucy had had enough) and returned to the Travelodge and had a light tea in the pub next door.
Tuesday 24th March
Ray caught an early train to join friends for a retirement lunch in the Ely area. I met up with Vivien in reception at 9.45am and we arrived at Lucy’s at 10am. It was a very dull day, no sun and later on it rained.
We visited Holme Reserves and parked up on the NOA car park. We walked to the observatory where Roger Skeen was on volunteer duty as it was new warden Shannon’s day off today and tomorrow, which I didn't know about until we arrived – I was hoping to introduce myself, but it will have be on my next visit now. Chris Mills was here with his partner Mandy. Paid our respects to our parents whilst here. I bought the 2023 and 2024 NOA Bird Report, but they didn’t have the 1996 copy I am still missing, so if anyone has a copy I could purchase I would be very grateful. Heard a Chiffchaff singing. There were Tufted Ducks and Mallards on the Broadwater.
Ambled back along the bank to Holme NWT, where we had lunch in the cafe and Lucy bought a pair of socks. The cafe was very busy as it always is. Walked through the pines to the beach and was shocked at the colour of the brown sea – I have been totally spoilt living in Shetland with crystal clear turquoise seas! To be fair though, it was a very dull day. Picked up one stone from the beach for a memento. Returned to the NOA carpark where I heard a Cetti’s Warbler bursting into song. Left here and drove through Holme to see the new bakers in the White Horse Pub, but didn’t go in as we could see it was going to be insanely expensive – totally different layout of gardens and ornamental structures where the gravel area once was – quite strange to see. Several more huge new houses had been built in the village. We did not drive past our old family home as it would have been too upsetting for Lucy and Vivien to see, being as the house and garden have totally been changed.
We then drove to Titchwell RSPB. Went to the cafe where Lucy kindly bought us a cup of tea and cakes in the newly designed cafe. Lucy loved the shop and bought a tea towel, jar of honey and a card. Lucy refused to walk anywhere so had to leave Vivien looking after Lucy in the car, whilst I was allowed a maximum of 20 minutes to walk around the Fen Trail! Managed to see two Hedge Sparrows, one Blackbird, 1 Pochard, Chiffchaff, Great Tit and a gorgeous Tawny Owl roosting in the tree exactly where the sign on the path said it would be! Very little on Patsy’s Pool but saw Tufted Ducks, Coots, Moorhens and Marsh Harrier over the reedbeds. Got back to the car in 18 minutes! Headed back to where Lucy lives in Gayton via Docking. Sat and had a cup of tea with Lucy and then returned to the Travelodge in King’s Lynn where went to the pub next door with Ray (who had now returned from his outing) and had an evening meal which wasn’t particularly good. Returned to our rooms. Very heavy rain on my window, felt I was back home in Shetland!
Wednesday 25th March
Met up with Ray and Vivien in reception at 9.45am. Drove to Heacham to visit our dear friend family Malcolm White – we arrived at 10.15am. Malcolm very kindly bought us some cakes and we had a lovely catch up and reminisced about the ‘good old days’. Malcolm showed us his beautiful garden and then I drove us to Heacham Lavender Tea Rooms for a late lunch where Malcolm very generously and kindly paid for our fish n chips – they were extremely good and it was a beautiful setting. We got chatting to a lovely lady member of staff (I think her name was Lisa) who after hearing me stating to Ray that I was right about something, she said "are you born in January?"..... "yes" I replied and the conversation and banter we had from thereon was hilarious, lovely to meet you. We dropped Malcolm back to his home and saw him to the door and said goodbye. Its always lovely to see Malcolm and he still has his sharp sense of humour and wit, mostly at my expense – no change there! 😂
We arrived at Lucy’s at about 4.30pm and spent about two and a half hours chatting with Lucy. Vivien decided to go off for a walk past the sheep field and didn't wait, Ray then walked to join her and then I went out too. Lucy didn't want to go for a walk. There were lots of cute baby lambs in the field with daffodils out in bloom – I walked as far as a public footpath, where there was a sign saying ‘Cats Crossing’ and a gorgeous tabby cat approached me for lots of fuss and then a black and white cat also for a fuss! There was a stream and a pretty waterfall here - heard a Blackcap singing and say a Blue Tit. Bumped into Ray but no sign of Vivien who had already finished her walk and was back at Lucy's! Returned to Lucy’s and we then returned to the Travelodge.
Thursday 26th March
Went for breakfast in the pub next door at 9am with Vivien and Ray. Said goodbye to Ray as he was leaving to return back to their narrow boat on the train this morning. Vivien and I drove to Lucy’s who was in a winding up mood all day long and didn’t want go out as it was too cold, even though the sun was shining all day long with blue skies. Vivien and I went to The Crown Pub in Gayton and had lunch as Lucy decided she wanted to have her own lunch at home.
Back at Lucy’s she agreed to go and look at the waterfall and cats but wanted to be driven, so we did! Frustratingly there were no cats on show, but Lucy looked very pleased to see the waterfall and stream here – maybe this will encourage her to walk this far in the future?! The cats will be the magnet to her walking this far! Blackcap singing again, Blue Tit and Woodpigeon seen. Lucy walked part the way back to look at the lambs and sheep. Back at Lucy’s she seemed in a better mood after her mini walk.
Vivien volunteered to hoover some cobwebs up, which Lucy agreed to and then changed her mind when Vivien had done half the living room. I wrote down all the instructions on how to use the new washer dryer and Lucy put a load of clothes on and later hung them up. I helped Lucy cook her tea and then Vivien and I left and returned to King’s Lynn. We had a light rubbish snack in the pub next door and it was nice to spend some quality time with Vivien on her own, although not nearly long enough. Whilst Vivien
and I were eating I had a massive panic and suddenly remembered about
the fee to be paid for the Tyne Tunnel I drove through on Friday 20th March – I was too late, you have to pay the £2.50 fee by 12am the following day and this now meant I had to pay a
£30 fine to Tyne Tunnels and the £2.50 entry fee – a lesson learnt, I won't let this happen on the return journey! We then returned to our rooms and I paid the fine and entry fee to Tyne Tunnel – the fine continues to go up if you don't pay it! Text message, email and phone call from Northlink Ferries to tell me that it was a "High probability" of my ferry being cancelled on Sunday due to “adverse weather conditions”.
Friday 27th March
Vivien and I left King’s Lynn at 9.55am and arrived at Lucy’s at 10.10am. Sat and chatted for a while and then drove to Castle Rising Tearooms – our third time this week, but Lucy’s choice for our last day together. Light rain for most of the day. Vivien phoned on route and managed to book the last table available indoors.
Lucy and I had the three cheese quiche with wedges, salad and coleslaw and Vivien had fish n chips. Afterwards we drove to Thaxter’s Tea rooms for a cake. I can’t quite believe that I have never been in these tea rooms at all and I quickly realised they have a unbelievable range of cakes on offer. I choose Mango Ripple dessert/type cake and Lucy and Vivien choose Raspberry Ripple – OMG, totally delicious!
I couldn’t believe who I bumped into at Thaxters, old friends from The Lynn News (where I worked prior to the QEH) Frank Edmunds & his partner Christina Hayes and then Jayne from the QEH who tells me she has now retired, she looked so well, so retirement must suit her. So lovely to bump into old friends – I became quite emotional. Went into Thaxters Shop where Lucy bought some notebooks and tissues. Returned to Lucy’s for a quick cup of tea and then Vivien and Lucy said goodbye and I took Vivien to the train station in King’s Lynn. It was very sad giving Vivien a last hug and seeing her off. Vivien will be returning to be with Ray on their narrowboat up 'north'.
Went into town and nipped into M&S to get some necessary clothing items and some food snacks for tonight as I didn’t want to go out to eat by myself. Filled up with petrol, which has gone up again and so far I have spent £109.08. Returned to the Travelodge.
I felt very stressed this evening and have done all day really, as the logistics of what I need to do if my ferry doesn’t depart on Sunday is beyond complicated and will be extremely costly. Northlink told me I will hear by 10am tomorrow. If the ferry doesn’t go it will be cheaper to extend my stay here than it will to drive north and book somewhere in the Aberdeen area. It will probably mean I will lose my Ashington Premier Inn booking altogether, as they don’t have any rooms available after tomorrow night when I was staying with them and I booked the type of booking where I can’t cancel, but can change the dates for the same Premier Inn. I am supposed to be at work on Monday. The ferry on Monday night looks just as bad and there is no availability to take my car on either Monday or Tuesday and there are no cabins available, but Wednesday there is availability for my car and cabin, but Wednesday is the 1st April which means I will either have to pay for my cabin and crossing or use next year’s free (over 60's) ferry vouchers which start on 1st April. I was quite shocked to hear that if the ferry is cancelled my current booking for my free vouchers will not count after 31st March.
Saturday 28th March
A very very stressful morning is an understatement, as I presumed that that ferry would not be leaving tomorrow. I had heard nothing by 10am so I either needed to extend my stay where I was or pack up and check out by 12pm. I couldn't wait any longer so phoned Northlink and got to hear the news hot off the press before I got the text and email that read “Sunday 29th March. M.V Hrossey was scheduled to depart Aberdeen sailing for Kirkwall (Hatston Pier) and Lerwick at 17:00. Due to forecasted adverse weather conditions, M.V Hrossey will now depart at the earlier time of 14:00. The call into Kirkwall (Hatston Pier) is now cancelled and Hrossey will sail directly to Lerwick. Check-in between 13:00 and 13:30. Arrival in Lerwick on Monday 30th March will be early AM and disembarkation will be as per normal at 07:30.”
To add to the stress, the clocks go forward too, so will lose an hours sleep and also leaving earlier at 14.00 and obviously sailing slower so that everyone doesn’t throw up!!!
Mad pack up at 10.20am. Left Travelodge at 11.45am. Nipped into town to M&S for mine and Lucy’s lunch and then drove to Gayton to spend about 45 minutes with Lucy. I really should have been on the road by now, but had promised Lucy that I would come and see her today, as I hadn't expected to have been leaving! I had to see her and say goodbye properly.
Lucy really enjoyed her M&S Beanfeast wraps and we had a cinnamon and pistachio bun and a Lucy made me a cup of tea. Gave Lucy several hugs which was very emotional and I left at 1.45pm and at this point I had done 830 miles in all. It was a nice sunny day.
Stopped to put £6 of petrol in at the Boston roundabout and use the loo. Carried on and had a rest at 4.50pm and had done 987 miles. Left at 5.12pm and after going through the Tyne Tunnel I arrived at Ashington Premier Inn at 6.33pm and had now done 1065.1 miles. Too dark to doing any walking around the lake. I logged onto my laptop and paid the £2.50 fee for the Tyne Tunnel straight away!
Went to the pub next door and had one of their scrumptious veggie burgers with chips and garnish. Returned to my room, showered and washed my hair and collapsed into bed. I then worked out what time I needed to set the alarm for, which was 5am (new time), 4am old time! Oh dear! I needed to allow the same time I had spent having rests on route as on the journey down, you can't rush a long journey, plus I needed to make sure I was in time to check in for the ferry, which was 13.00 with a car and allow for any hold ups on route.
Sunday 29th March
I didn't feel like I had slept at all as I was worrying about getting up early, so being as I was awake I was just deciding that I would get up and leave earlier than planned, when the 5am alarm went off! It was not funny getting up at this time. Had a shower to wake me up, had a porridge pot and coffee. Made two flasks for the journey. As I walked out into the darkness of the carpark I could hear the wildfowl on the lake. I left Ashington Premier Inn at 6am (new time). So far I have done 1,065.1 miles. After several rest and loo stops I arrived at Dundee Tesco petrol station and put in £47 and have now done 1,230.6 miles. I arrived at the ferry terminal in Aberdeen (added another £7 petrol to fill up) at 11.40 and have now driven 230.8 miles today.
I paid £4 to park in the carparking area by the huge M&S, TK Max, other stores and the very large undercover shopping centre. Searched and found Greggs where I bought 2 veggie sausage rolls, a ploughmans' roll and another cheese type sandwich meal in another outlet for my dinner tonight and also had a bit of time to look round some of the shops, but didn't buy anything else. Drove to just outside the ferry terminal and packed up everything I wanted to take into my cabin including tonight's tea and bottles of water etc. It was here where I took my first anti-sickness tablet and I felt very very worried that it would not work quick enough, in fact I felt sure it wouldn't – I had had no choice about this as if I had taken the tablet last night or earlier this morning, it would have been too dangerous to drive and I obviously decided it would be better to risk sickness, rather than dying on route! Total mileage for trip was 1,295.9 miles and I had spent £169.11 on petrol.
After checking in at around 13.00 I queued with other cars to drive onto the ferry – I was given a little note that warned you about your forthcoming journey and to make sure you hold onto rails etc when walking around the ferry........ I didn't need that note, as I would NOT be walking around the ferry! Walked to my cabin (241) and stayed there! Ferry left at 14.00. Warning of rough seas, especially around Fair Isle at around 9 to 10pm! Normally the ferry leaves at 5pm and I go straight to the restaurant. There was no way I was walking to the restaurent after the ferry left three hours ago, I would have 100% have been sick! I had planned for this and when the announcement came over on the tannoy that the restaurant was now open at 5pm, I smiled to myself. I would be having my tea in my cabin! I broke the rules and took a second anti-sickness tablet sooner than you are supposed to at around 4 hours later. This worked a treat. I was vaguely aware of the ferry rocking later in the evening, but mostly I slept like a log, brilliant! I have been so lucky on the Northlink ferries and have never been sick yet! We were told that the ferry would arrive into Lerwick in the early hours, but we would not be allowed to disembark until 7.30am.
Monday 30th March
I woke up when my alarm went off and all was still! Showered and packed my bags up. Left the cabin and went up the restaurant for 6.20am – it opened at 6.30am and I had a lovely breakfast whilst looking at Lerwick Harbour – we had arrived!!!
At 7.30am I left the ferry and drove home to Scalloway. I was pleased to find that my house was all ok and there had been no water leaks whilst I had been away. Took ages to get all my bags and stuff into the house. Topped the bird feeders up and sorted the bird baths out. Managed to get one load of washing in before I left for work. Unpacked about half of my stuff.
Arrived at work to start for 10.27am. I normally start at 9am, but this was the last of my annual leave and toil for year ending 31st March. It was the longest day at work ever! Managed to unpack everything else in the evening and collapsed into bed!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED OVER THE WEEKEND
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