Beam ends sailing

We flew down to Kirkwell yesterday from Westray with the tide, making 9.1 knots over the ground at one point. It was a great relief to enjoy a day of sailing without it raining blowing straight at us and throwing big waves over the bow. Walking up and down the side decks made a change from crawling! The reception at Kirkwell marina and town has been fabulous, today we mentioned we needed to run and fetch a new engine battery and the marina attendant drove us there and back in his car, thanks again for that and its very nice to be made so welcome.
We will sit out a strong blow now for two nights more in Kirkwell before we go for a big 21 hr passage to Inverness.