We made it

I set off north for the last time, stopping for supplies on the way.  I had hoped for a hot lunch on the way but managed to miss the hotel, perhaps it has closed.
I couldn't miss the replica Viking long boat which apparently set sail for Newfoundland in 2000 but only got this far, amazing to think they original Viking made in theirs and modern versions still cannot.
I stopped for a rest at Bobby's bus shelter, this was removed by the council mysteriously one day and replaced at the request of Bobby, who made it his own.  It is still looked after by his mum, Bobby is working away now, and has various themes to reflect his and island life
Eleanor enjoyed learning to knit with her new friends.
The to Herman Ness and the most northerly point of my journey.
We were blessed with sunshine and the birds were there in plenty.  You new the colonies of gannets were close as you can smell them before  seeing them and there is the constant noise of squabbling for space.
I also got really close to the  puffins.  The really are the funniest of birds, quite unconcerned by my presence.  They are pairing up and like old married hobbits bustling themselves around their burrows.
And finally to the end.  Muckle Flugga, with the lighthouse is longer occupied so this was it.
We celebrated with the whisky, although we soon moved in from to edge, just in case.
I settled down to wait for the sunset it was a privilege I often deny myself to take the time to watch the birds feeding, the gannets are so graceful wheeling around and diving, the skuas trying to pinch the catch of the kittiewakes, the little awks babbling in the waves and of course the puffins who flutter about right over my head. Also the sea crashing over and against the rocks and the everchanging colours with the light.
However after 8 hours of buffetting by the wing wrapped on my bin liner and poncho over virtually every piece clothingin my bag,  I had to give up at around 10pm as I was so cold and the sea mist came in so it was obvious there wouldn't be any sort of sunset.
It was a tough push up the cliffs to get back to the path but Eleanor managed it again and I was glad to have her with me to the end.
When we got back to the path I saw a couple approaching wondering where the top was to watch the sun go down also if anyone else was there. I was surprised that there doesn't seem to be any real celebration up here.
I was glad to have decided to go back as the cloud got thicker and the drizzle heavier. I can attest that although I did have my lights and high vis jacket on, it still light until 1am, I just thought other road users should see me in the mist, there were none.
I headed back south, I looked into the bus shelter but decided I may as well get back to the hostel for 4 hours warm sleep before heading for the 7o'clock ferry to negotiate getting Eleanor onto the bus to Lerwick, she is such a cutie she squeezed in beautifully so we got back to book onto the overnight ferry to Aberdeen.  Once I had turned around I felt I should just keep going otherwise the temptation to stay might be overwhelming, that and apparently the weather is going to deteriorate.