Some evocative shots from Fair Isle

A more detailed account from Marion of Richard's voyage over recent days:

https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/my-page-1623944303270
Catch up of Richard Kerswell's solo sail around Britain and Scotland taking in remote outer islands since he arrived at Thurso, North Scotland for Give the World a Shot and Orphans in the Wild.

8th August - Left Scrabster, Thurso at 10am to get to a certain area to catch the tide to escape the strong current, across the Pentland firth, a 'Picturesque strait known for its powerful tides, featuring a lighthouse & vibrant marine life'.
He phoned as he had just gone past famous sea stack, The Old Man of Hoy (https://www.orkney.com/listings/the-old-man-of-hoy. He managed to have an hour with the Jib out which saves ½ gallon of fuel an hour. Although, later, there was a force 4 wind, the skies were blue with white fluffy clouds and quite a pleasant journey, seeing some magnificent sights. He passed Stromness on the way, went round the top east and back down to Kirkwall (55.3nm)seeing the ship The Rainbow Spirit that was stopped but not anchored. Fiona Grahame and her photographer, Helen Armet, for an interview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN9CYFJJarM). After this they drove him to restock with fuel and provisions which was extremely supportive of them for which we are very grateful. Total mileage to Kirkwall was 1113.2nm.
Some interesting reading regarding the Orkney's: http://www.tomboftheeagles.co.uk and
https://www.orkney.com/things/history/viking-heritage

9th August - Richard left for Fair Isle just after noon and realised he would arrive in the dark so he anchored off the beautiful beach at Sanday, Orkney. He stopped over the following day.

11th August – He arrived at the tiny harbour of Fair Isle; 3 miles long by 1.1/2 miles wide, the island is home to just sixty people. Since 1954 it has been owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It was 1.1/2 mile walk to the only shop and back, too far to take the 6 x gallon fuel cans! On the Island a WW11 German Heinkel Weather aircraft was shot down by two Hurricane Fighters. 3 of the 5 crew survived. The remains of the plane are still there. (https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-remains-of-engines-from-a-heinkel-he-1...)

12th August – Richard left Fair Isle on a bright beautiful day with light winds to Shetland east. He did an average of 8 knots, then took his time at at 4 knots enjoying the day. To start with every time he put his jib up, the wind changed to head or stopped. However, later in the afternoon Richard managed to put the sail up for quite a while. The winds were forecast to start in the Shetlands at 4pm so for the last 17 miles, he stepped his speed up to 8 knots. He was met by a reporter from the Shetland News team, we haven't received any notification from them yet if it has been published.

Richard started this mammoth solo sail on the 24th June, the mileage has totted up to 1278.2nm. He will be staying for maybe a week to enjoy the area, explore and have a good rest which he thoroughly deserves. Well done Richard this is a huge and tiring adventure, you are doing marvellously well.
To see all Richard's post and his poems please click on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Pegasuses.places

Thank you for your donations coming in, Greatly appreciated.

Sounds like Richard is having the time of his life but still some big challenges ahead. Update from Marion:

https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/my-page-1623944303270 – Richard raising funds for Covid vaccines for the third world and Orphans in the Wild.

Just had a quick chat to Richard, he's fine and enjoying the wonderful hospitality of the Shetlanders. He said they are lovely people. He met up with some people Saturday evening who were really excited about his adventure so invited him back with them to their boat club where he had an excellent evening. Think he felt a little worse for wear when I spoke to him Sunday afternoon! He met John and his wife at the boat club. He took John for a curry last night, his wife couldn't join them. They took him to the other side of island to Scalloway to show him around a little whilst he was in Lerwick. Today John has taken him fishing in his boat, so he will be the passenger for a change. He is also going to take him to the nearest fuel station to top up which should get him to Wick, North Scotland. So thank you John very much for all your help.

He will be leaving Lerwick tomorrow within an hour of either the high or low tide for the smoothest ride and head for Sumburgh, south tip of Shetlands. Wind will be around 15/18 mph which he is quite happy about and approximately 18nm to take the edge of the next leg.

Long day for Richard yesterday, almost 70nm. See his post below:

Two days for one.sombourgh head to Fairisle and on to Sandy N.Ronaldsey in Orkney long day but worth it. Sumborough to sandy69.1Nm total1366.5Nm

Richard most definitely started his descent, Marion reports:

https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/my-page-162394430327

Just to let you all now Richard Kerswell has arrived safe and sound at Wick, north-east Scotland after leaving Burray at around 10.50am to catch the right time safely for the wind and tide. He also managed to arrive with some fuel to spare as it has been some time since he has been able to top up. I was calculated but might have been tight going should the weather had been bad. Brandon McPhee and Roy from the Spotlight TV was there to meet him again, taken some videos and given him an interview for updated news since he last met him in Thurso on 3rd August. Richard said a few minutes ago, he was just off for something to eat. He's been anchored off shore for the last few days relying on his own cooking, which is rather limited on board Peggy, although, he is a good cook. We ate his excellent curry at our last East African School Reunion