We are up and moving by 6:30. However, the ship is not quite as punctual as its passengers. We end up over an hour behind schedule in landing at the Shetland Islands, and the excursions are pushed back by at least that much time. As we are actually tendering from our anchorage point today, everything is a major movement.
Our excursion to the Eshaness Cliffs finally boards its coach at the dock at 1:15 PM. We motor north across the Mainland Island enjoying the scenery. This is very reminiscent of Iceland as to rolling terrain. Again, no trees in site but acres and acres of peat; we see where it is cut and stacked for drying all over the landscape. We cross the Mavis Grind, which is a narrow isthmus (actually less than 100 yards across, which separates the Atlantic Ocean from the North Sea. One could hurl a stone from one ocean to another.
We motor to a small museum which used to be a Scottish Laird's (lord's) home in the mid 1700's. Moving onward, we end at the Eshaness Cliffs; 150 foot high cliffs formed millions of years ago as the sea has gradually eroded the remnant of this large volcano. According to our guide, the entire Shetland Islands were formed 350 million years ago as a volcano over the equator, and has gradually drifted north along the continental plate.
We head back to the port city of Lerwick, where we arrive at 5:50 PM. Unfortunately, this town of 7,000 closes up tighter than a drum at 5:00. We have plenty of time to tender back to the ship, money to burn in our pockets, and nowhere to spend it. As we didn't have a proper lunch and are hungry, there is nothing left to do but head back to the ship and our dinner.
At least our table mates are back with us. She is recovering from whatever threw her into the infirmary for a couple of days, looking wan but game to soldier on. We again repair to our lounge and are in the cabin by 10:00.
