In memory

After the rattling night in the van we were pleased for a calm day as we drove down to Houston for the ferry to Lyness on Hoy.
There was even sunshine today.
We drove south first to explore the cliffs and coast of South Walls. Then found the perfect parkup on a quiet (bumpy) road to a lighthouse. Beautiful spot overlooking the sea, sheltered from the wind, and with the occasional passing seal.
In the evening we walked along to Longhope cemetery positioned overlooking the bay. It was a tidy and well kept old cemetery with neat rows of war graves mostly for naval crew of various different ships. This area was the base for the British naval fleet in the 2 WWs - difficult to imagine now as it’s so peaceful.
This stunning and very moving memorial was for crew of a RNLI boat lost on a call out in a storm in 1969. All eight crew members died - leaving just about everyone in the area with losses from their family. This later led the RNLI to put in place regulations limiting family members crewing together, and also the introduction of self righting rescue boats.