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We'd planned to explore Rerwick Head before our ferry back to the mainland on Saturday morning, but the weather forecast wasn't looking promising. So instead we decided to fit it in on Wednesday before the 9.50am check in for the ferry to Sanday. Only problem was - B&B accommodation doesn't always mean you can be flexible about breakfast times, and we didn't arrive at the start of the walk until just before 9 o' clock - not helped by a herd of cows in the road en route and a final section down a very rough track. This would have to be a whistlestop tour...
A track led straight down to the sea at a long, stony spit, with calm seas under sunny skies...
...then to the right around the head of a small bay.
A series of old lookout and coastal defence buildings are dotted around the next section - some are obviously unsafe (or were flooded) and maybe not safe to venture into.
Couldn't resist this one really though...
Continuing around the bay:
The stony beach soon gave way to blocky cliffs and cormorants on the farthest parts - slippery from earlier rain but interesting to explore. Meanwhile a seal watched from the safety of the water.
Deeper inlet, with a few nesting fulmars:
Soon a path / track leads back across fields full of oystercatchers to the car - just as well, since it was getting uncomfortably close to check-in time for the ferry and rain was threatening as the area of blue sky moved away. We were hoping for no cows on the short drive back to Kirkwall - fortunately there weren't any and we arrived with ten minutes to spare before check in closed!
A very short walk but plenty of variety.
Orkney 2016<< Monday: Vat of Kirbuster, Stronsay>> Lunchtime: Quoyness Cairn, Sanday