Northlink Ferries – Aberdeen to Lerwick — After sitting at the Aberdeen airport yesterday for about 4 hours, I finally went out and got a taxi to take me down to the ferry terminal for the next leg of my journey.
The weather was wet and windy and it was dark out so I thought the best thing to do would just be to hang out at the airport until it was time to board the ferry.
The hallway to the staterooms.
Did I mention this ferry is an overnight ferry headed to Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands? IN SCOTLAND!? 🙂
My room for the night. It actually sleeps 2… See the fold down bunk above the bed? How cool is that?
It has a workstation, tv and most importantly…
An electric kettle complete with a tray full of coffee/tea/cocoa packets, shortbread and nips {chocolates}. Perfection!
But more important than an electric kettle… My stateroom also comes with a private bathroom.
And shower!
And who wouldn’t want a shower after traveling {at this point} for over 24 hours?
I love, love, love my little room. My own little bubble. At first I was worried the halls would be noisy with people walking up and down {like most hotels you stay at} but the whole night I only heard 1 person cough… once. That was it.
Leaving the port of Aberdeen. It was a wee bit choppy. 🙂 But pretty and peacefull too.
I took a shower, put on my pj’s, found Little Women on the TV and hooked for a bit before turning out the lights.
Then I was laying there in bed and all the sudden I started to think about what would happen if there’s an emergency and we all have to get in a lifeboat and we’re out there bobbing up and down and hanging on for dear life in the middle of the North Sea in the middle of January.
How long would it take the Coast Guard to get to us, and if there was an air lift… HOW LONG WOULD THAT TAKE!?
Then I started to think about the sign on the door that mentioned what to do in case of an emergency and that you’d need to dress warmly and meet on {?} deck to get a life jacket.
And then what if I did end up in the water somehow with a life jacket and my Bean boots on which although warm, probably wouldn’t be the best choice so I got out of bed and took my walking shoes out of my bag and set them next to the Bean boots.
Granted, my toes might freeze, but at least the walking shoes wouldn’t weigh me down if they got soaked.
I crawled back into bed.
And then turned on the light again and found the headlamp the HH made me take with me and wrapped it around my wrist and got back under the covers and tried to fall asleep. Which I finally did after about a half an hour.
Believe it or not I’ve just woken up after sleeping a solid 8 hours and now I’m fully rested and ready for the next leg of my journey.
Which is now a little uncertain because with all the rain and wind at nearly 40 mph, there is no way the little airplane I have a ticket for is going to be flying today.
And I have to get off the ferry in 45 minutes. 🙁
Gaaa.
Pro Tip: Always have a back up plan. And then a back up plan for your back up plan.
~Mavis
Patti Vanderbloemen says
You are one brave woman! I had a feeling this was where you were headed.
And the saga continues! Happy …and safe…travels to you!
MEM says
The Shetland Islands was absolutely my first guess about your destination! You had mentioned wanting to visit there. I too am a huge fan of the books and TV series. Good luck with the local accents and have a fabulous time.
Diana says
OK, as much as that sounds like a fun adventure, my motion sickness kicked up right at the beginning and it was tough to read the rest of the post, lmao.
I crossed the English channel as a 15 year old and was on deck the whole time letting the spray hit my face (for some weird reason, getting my face or feet wet stops the sickness). I can’t even imagine being in a stateroom the whole night.
I look forward to the rest of your adventure, tho. I imagine it will be somewhere in Scotland and I am SO jealous!
Virginia says
I admire your independence and sense of adventure, Mavis.
Lynne says
This is such an awesome trip! Truly “off-season” and I can’t wait to see where you are headed and what you’ll be up to for your time there. Years back, I visited Stockholm and Oslo in December, and I loved the very early nightfalls – the people who live in places like that have charming ways of making their spaces so cozy. Can’t wait now to hear if you were able to make that next flight! Travel safely, and thank you for sharing this adventure.
Sharon says
Hi Mavis what a great trip so far. I would love if you showed how you packed. Because I know it was light but I love you also had enough room for hooking supplies. Thank you
Paula says
Oh! How wonderful!! I am headed to Shetland in September of this year! I will be taking notes on your travel. You are brave! Are you there for Up Helly Aaa, the fire festival? I didn’t know that they had an overnight ferry. We are planning on flying on Logan air from Aberdeen to Lerwick.
We visited the Orkney islands last September. It was just wonderful!
J in OH-IO says
Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us! You are brave! Love being able to tag along and learn all about so many new places on your travels! Have an absolutely wonderful time!!! Enjoy every moment!!!
Annette says
Walking shoes brand?
What’s the thing to the right of the bathroom door that looks like a metal ladder?
Getting there is half the fun, right?
Lesley says
Maybe it’s a way to get to that upper bunk? That’s my guess.
I woke up excited to see where Mavis was headed next! 🙂
Christina says
Me too, Lesley! Now I have a few posts to catch up on, so feel a cup of tea is in order while I read about Mavis’ adventures!
Tiffany F says
I’m pretty sure her walking shoes are Altra brand, Lone Peak is the style. I got a pair last year before going to Yellowstone. I absolutely LOVE them.
Mavis, what a fun adventure! Sounds amazing so far.
Kathy Brown says
I KNEW it!!!! I bet the next little leg of your jorney will take you to Fair Isle, and the Fair Isle studio where you’ll reside for the next 3 weeks? ALL of my family on my dads side, from my great grandfather all the way back to 1702 were born and raised on Fair Isle. They owned sheep crofts, were the educators at the little schoolhouse, and spinners of course. Stout was my maiden name, you’ll see my relatives on the WWII memorial, in the old church (the stained glass was put in by my great+++ uncle George, and on and on. You are on my dream trip!!!!
Jamie says
This is making me anxious!!
Cheryl says
Don’t overthink it. You’re doing fine. It sure is a helluva way to get out of your comfort zone. 🙂 Relax, breath and enjoy yourself. One day you’ll be too old and infirm (like me) to take chances. So very proud of you! You got this!
Christina says
I am ridiculously excited for you, Mavis! So glad to know now where you’re actually going. I’m not up for travelling since the pandemic began, but boy will it be fun to watch your adventures from my couch. Haha
Stay safe, and have a lovely time.
Sylvia says
what is the object (sort of looks like a old school wall phone)) on the wall by the sink? Hope you enjoy yourself!
Julie says
It a hairdryer
Heidi N. says
Hope the weather improves. Looking forward to hearing about the next part of your trip!
Kat says
It’s the ladder for the top bunk, there’s also a rail that fits along the edge of the bunk to stop you falling out if it’s a bit bumpy
Sue says
I just KNEW it! You have to stop in at 60 North Publishing and meet Misa Hay, publisher of Shetland Wool Adventures Journal.
I have them all. Next you’ll be blogging about all things sheep and wool. And knitting! Way to go Mavis.
Marcia says
Ooh, I binged the TV show Shetland years ago. That stateroom is the bomb!
Lindsey says
We lived in Scotland for a time and spent some weeks going to as many of the islands as we could. We always had a great experience, until one we were taking back to Aberdeen. It was so rough that the announcement was made instructing passengers to keep their identity papers, like passports, on them until the landing. The next morning one of the crew members said at one point they were actually afraid the ship was going down. And yet, we made it, so those are some sturdy boats and experienced crew.
Judi Y. says
HOORAY!!!!!! SCOTLAND!!!!!! We are all sooooooo excited for you!!
Em says
Enjoy your trip, Mavis!
RBar says
This is just a normal trip for us Shetlanders whether living there or elsewhere (so taking a trip “home”). You need to take the ferry if bringing your car, but I prefer it to flying – nothing beats that homecoming sense of sailing in to the harbour in the early morning, after a comfortable night in one of the ferry’s cabins (other cheaper options are available) having enjoyed a good dinner and maybe a dram or two at the bar.
Rhonda R Relyea says
I am so excited for you! Since taking a DNA test a few years ago, and finding out my ancestors are from Scotland, I’ve dreamed of going there! You are so brave! I have never flown or gone anywhere alone outside of my town. I don’t know if I’d have your courage. I can’t wait for more photos and commentary of your travels! Thank you so much for sharing!
Joanna says
Stay safe Mavis !!! Have fun!
Angel says
This is so exciting! I can’t travel because of my health so I’m living vicariously. I’m loving the photos and details….it’s just like I’m there too! Stay safe!❤️
Cindy Brick says
Oh man — you’re going to the SHETLAND ISLANDS?!? I would love to go there! Loved/love the TV series. I have just enough Viking in me that I’m very curious. It will be fun to see where you go.
(The Brick’s comment: “Well, she’s going to be cold.” Figures. I read him DH’s responses to your trip plans; he snorted and said DH was right. I placated him and said that if we go, we can go for the Viking festival in the Shetlands. He snorted again.)
I thought maybe you were headed to Iceland.
Have fun. I know you will.
Jamie says
Hmm… another flight to go on a small plane? Are you staying in the Shetlands or going to Faroe? Excited to see which it is on today’s post.