11, 12 August - Leaving Shetland ...

For our last Shetland adventure we headed south to Sumburgh to see off Tim and Tina, who flew out on Tuesday evening from the airport there. We had pretty sunny weather cycling south from Lerwick (we almost stopped to put on sunscreen for the FIRST time since leaving Montana), but it was seriously, even treacherously, windy!

Along the way is the 60 degree latitude line, and it's well signed on the side of the road. Melinda is south of the 60 degree latitude line, taking a picture of boB ...

... who is north of the 60 degree latitude line! Two thirds of the northern hemisphere is south of this line. 

We met Tim and Tina at Jarlshof, an archeological sight that uncovers 4000 years of human history in layers. Researchers have found that ancient civilizations built over the same patch of ground century after century, and the deeper they dug the further back in history they went. Eventually, it was decided to uncover the area in patches so that the various civilizations could be viewed in different areas of the site. It's mind boggling to think about people living there over 4000 years ago.

So long, Tina! (Tim had already made it past security.) we had great craic with them, and will fondly remember our Shetland Time for years to come!

After we saw off Tim and Tina, we found a nice patch of beach to camp on, out of the wind. So now we're back in the tent, camping at Sumburgh. It was a windy night, but where we camped was a bit sheltered. We sure miss the flat we rented! We are still picking sand out of our toes and our gear a week later!

We spent much of Thursday riding back to Lerwick, and had lunch in a park. We made a few stops in town for supplies, the boarded  the ferry to Orkney. 

Here we are, saying good bye  to Lerwick. The people in the foreground are fellow Fiddle Frenziers, and we sang 'Leaving Lerwick Harbor' as we steamed southward to Kirkwall.

And once we were underway we fired up a session at the bar with some lovely English friends from the fiddle frenzy! Our first ever session on a boat.... and what a delight! This was a wonderful way to close the Shetland adventure. Onwards to Orkney, with hopes of catching a few Orcadian music sessions and enjoying the fantastic archaeological sites.

11 August,  Lerwick - Sumburgh , 25 windy miles

12 August, Sumburgh - Lerwick, 25 miles