This was our last day and the weather forecast for the ferry journey was not good. In previous years, at this stage we would have delayed the journey. Having the motorhome means we don’t have to fix up other accommodation. However, it was not that simple this year, getting us and cabins and the motorhome on the same ferry would take some doing. We had talked to other motorhome owners during the week and they had been quoted mid October as the next likely date if they postponed. I knew also that local people could not travel when they wanted. It seems three factors were different from pre Covid days, less sharing of cabins, more ferry traffic due to both the wind farm and space centre. We also felt it was time to get back as we were being away for a month anyway. So we gritted our teeth and decided to risk the boat. Then we were told the boat was going to leave at 5.30! This set alarms going in my head.
We spent the morning clearing up and making sure we had everything ready to pick up and take into the cabin.
We then left for Tingwall and decided that we would have our ‘Guild tea’ as a light lunch as we did at Ollaberry. It was frustrating that I would need to pack up my little part of the exhibition early. I was keen to see the Guild items as several of the members had not set up their work when I left on Friday. Kathleen had displayed her shawls along from mine, I certainly did not feel worthy of being along the table from such Shetland Knitting Royalty. Kathleen and I laughed about this. I did know that Kathleen had spent lockdown knitting haps for her family, I did not know that this meant 12! It was good to see the article from the local press about this and see them all wearing them.
The magazine containing the article
She was also displaying some of her intricate faultless fine shawls and was actually knitting something amazing during that Sunday afternoon, being a mix of silk, wool and cashmere I believe. (1)
A section of a shawl on display
It was also nice to hear that my dyeing including the way I presented and labelled it was much commented on by visitors to the Guild exhibition. It is always nice to talk to visitors to an exhibition and find out what sort of wool work they do too. I love these exchanges.
My natural dyeing and handbag made from woven fabric. The solar dyed selection is in the yellow box on the left.
But one also goes to the teas to meet people and admire the great knitting made and worn. Always such a treat.
A general view
I was delighted to meet up with Satoka, from Japan who I first met pre Covid. Her spinning snd knitting of fine lace is fantastic. She had brought a shawl to show me, unfortunately I only have photos of us examining without the shawl in the picture, so this one shows a couple f people accompanying her on the trip. Great attention to detail in them too! (I am wearing my 2024 hand dyed yoke jumper (ie the motifs are knitted in naturally dyed J and S yarn) and my black and white fair isle cardigan which I designed as a trial for the ground elder one. I still love this one which is now over 10 years old.
We needed to be at the ferry at 5.30 rather than 7.30 so I had t leave the teas early. We got to the boat on time and were soon on board, We did have a small ndinner on the ferry, although not many did. Eventually the waiting staff decided we needed to be escorted to our cabin. It was safest to take Michael in a wheelchair as the boat had quite a bit of movement. I had taken the tablets but was keen to lie down. I do not think I slept that night but was kept as calm as I could be listening to ‘The world in 100 objects’. Neither of us was physically ill, but we hardly slept and having to hold on to the bed to avoid being forced into the air was a new experience! The captain said we were avoiding the eye of the storm, that is why the journey was longer! When we arrived in Aberdeen the next morning it was still rough and we had to hold on to move on the boat. We were told the swell was expected to be 4 metres in the night. I have no idea if it was or if this is fair or bad. I do know it was a life experience that I will do all in my power to avoid in future. I think it was our 18th crossing on the ferry and to have one bad one in that number sounds good now but it did not feel good at the time.
We did not have the complementary breakfast in the morning. I drove off the ferry and we stopped for about a quarter of an hour in the terminal car park to check we were feeling ok to drive on. Before we left we had already decided that we would not rush home and that going to Perth for the night would be a good plan. Little did we know what the rest of the journey had in store for us.
Notes
- Kathleen won first prize plus at the Highland show in the summer of 2024. Her lace design and knitting is truly exquisite and got more rosettes at Voe Show. This should take you to a post from Skeld Hall about Kathleen and photos of the winning shawl.
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