Churchill Barrier

Today was freezing cold, with a bitter, biting wind but, this morning, bright sunshine. By lunchtime the hail and sleet showers had started! Mike is busy using up his leave entitlement before the end of his holiday year at work, so today we headed off to town for more electrical and plumbing bits and pieces.

This the second of four Churchill Barriers that link small islands, including ours, to the main Orkney island, confusingly called Mainland. The mainland is Scotland, Mainland is where Kirkwall is, where the shops are! These barriers were built during the second world war, to help defend the naval base in Scapa Flow. At high tides and when it is windy they are frequently wave swept. You have to judge and time your crossing to avoid being hit by them! When there are gales, and during really bad weather, they are closed to traffic, which causes no end of frustration and chaos!

Today we followed a tractor and tanker speeding over one of the barriers and watched as the tanker swayed wildly from side to side, taking off most of the reflectors along the length of Armco . . . . ! We decided not to overtake until we were on a good wide bit of road!