We are sailing (or we will be, later)

Since we are off on a 6 week holiday to Tanzania, I thought this might be a good time to try to get going with Blip again.

Well, here we are, on the ferry. The last day and a half have been stressful in the extreme - we need to catch the ferry to Aberdeen to make our KLM flight to Dar es Salaam on Saturday afternoon - and the weather has been inclement to say the least. It wasn't clear whether any ferries would go at all, so in despair I have also spent £400 on flights to Aberdeen on Saturday morning - fortunately they are changeable, so we will be able to use them on the way home.

When I phoned the ferry company at 10 this morning, they asked whether I wanted to travel today or Saturday! So much for our last evening packing, Emma and I finished work at lunchtime, and made two frantic 40 mile round trips to transport our 1/4 tonne of luggage to Lerwick. The wind was gale force, and the snowy showers were increasing in frequency. I wasn't sure we would make the second trip - at one point the wind blown snow obscured the road completely, and the car started sliding sideways. The kids screamed, I swore, Emma had the good sense to say nothing from the passenger seat. But we made it. All 8 suitcases, 4 carry on bags, assorted backpacks, CAMERA BAG, handbags, two children and one husband.

The ferry usually leaves at 19.00, and arrives in Aberdeen at 07.00. Very civised, as you can sleep away most of the journey if you are a poor sailor. Unfortunately, becasue of the weather conditions, it isn't leaving until 03.00, which means we won't arrive in Aberdeen until 15.00 tomorrow. And I seem to have forgotten the seasick tablets. It's going to be a long night.