This morning at the rather lively breakfast, the Guesthouse is rather full due to the Hamefearing (or sort of homecoming for people who yo to live on Shetland), I told about my plans of going to Yell and Unst in one day and even without reserving the ferry, actually 4 trips, 2 from the main Island to Yell and 2 from Yell to Unst.

Weather is not so good, but it can be 4 seasons in a day, so maybe it will get better. The first ferry was no problem, just in the lane for "Not Booked", luckily in the other lanes not so many cars.

After leaving the boat I took another route then most others and arrived at the White Wife.

The story:

On the 23rd April, 1924 the then German barque "Bohus" set sail for Taltal, Chile. She was an iron hulled 3-masted barque of 1487 registered tons and was built in Alloa in 1892. Three days out of Gothenburg, the Captain made a navigational error. This resulted in the "Bohus" being 60 miles off course by the 26th April. In a thick haze [presumably fog], the ship was dashed broadside on to the rocky spur at the Point of Hatt, and was grounded. Within half an hour most of the ship had broken up. Four of the thirty nine people on board were killed or drowned, Including Cadet "Tom" Eberth who saved four of his shipmates before being swept away. Many of those who were killed owe their lives to the prompt action of the Yell men who rushed to their assistance when they saw the ship was in distress.

The figurehead came ashore in September 1924. It was fittingly erected by the people of East Yell within sight of where the ship foundered. Restoration work by the Shetland Amenity Trust commenced in 1986 and on 22nd April, 1989 the refurbished "White Wife" was officially unveiled.

Some of those who lost their lives were buried the Mid Yell graveyard. A black marble slab commemorates Cadet "Tom" Eberth. The marble slab is set into a stone which comes from nearby Hascosay. Mementoes from the "Bohus" can be seen in Shetland Museum, Lerwick and at the Old Haa Mueum, Burravoe. The book "Wrestlers with the Troubled Sea" 1994 by Louis Johnston tells the story of the wreck.

Next stop Unst, the only car at the ferry, great service:-).

One of the main things to do is walk part of the Hermaness National Nature Reserve. It is a rather though walk, long and steep and today also very windy going up. I overtook many people though. It took almost an hour to get to the top and what a view you get, especially while there are no borders or fences. BTW also no trees, there are no trees at the Shetland Islands ...

But it started to rain and with the wind already present that was no pleasure. But when you're there you should continue and what a pictures I got.

There are thousands of birds, the Gannets are the nicest in their flight, but I also saw some Puffys again.

It is rather tricky to take the better picture as you have to be rather close to the cliffs. Actually I was at the same place as where the photographer is. There were some other people, real birdwatchers, fancy cameras with extremely big lenzes, hope my pictures will do :-).

Back on the ferry, had to skip the first one to Yell, but from Yell to the mainland again no problem. Weather is bad though, raining hard now, but back in Lerwick it is sunny again.

Tomorrow to Orkney, but I might do another tour in the morning to Noss to see even more Puffins, great and funny birds. On below picture a Puffin at the edge of the cliffs.