Kirkwall (Orkney Islands)

Thursday 3rd July

After a disturbed night, with quite a few wakenings, I heard the distinctive coming-into-port noises. I covered my ears with the bedclothes and dozed. Then, of course, we had the arrival announcements and several ship's drill announcements before I got up at about 10.30. In the first hour I was fighting off tears, so I knew I was too exhausted to do much. I was glad I had not risen early to attempt the bus trip around the island.

I had done enough research to discover that there is a Stagecoach line bus that takes people around the main archaeological sites and waits for an extended time for them to explore. It sounded like a good option, and I hope to return one day so that I can try it. This excursion goes twice a day, and I would have had to be off the ship quite early (by my timing!) to manage it. The island sounds very well-organised with buses. There even seemed quite a few people at the bus station to give advice. You can change from one bus to another at the sites, if you want to stay longer or leave sooner.

After breakfast I caught the shuttle bus into Kirkwall and wandered. I enjoyed St Magnus Cathedral.

I visited the town museum and ate my lunch in the garden out the back. A family of young children enjoyed climbing up the wonderful rock mound and sitting in the rock seat. It was a wonderful family-friendly place. 

I looked at the outside of the Earl's and Bishop's Palaces. The ruins were very picturesque but I did not go inside as I didn't feel like climbing steps or wandering further.

I looked at the shopping street but it was just shops, and not very interesting architecture. I returned to the ship.

Sometimes on a ship the band has to take a break. It happened this night, with the modern band Vibz taking their place. That meant a night of modern dance. Sometimes the floor is packed on these occasions and sometimes it's empty. There was a good turn out this night, but I decided it was a good time to conserve energy and leave after the performance from the dance professionals. If I'm going to dance, I want it to be with a partner and not just jiggling around somewhere in the vicinity of a partner.