Return to Kirkwall - 13/09/04

After some gentle ambling around in the morning, a little way up the road &c, we are transferred to the airfield at 4 pm. The survey vehicle for the airstrip has a door missing, which means that the driver will have to wear waterproofs at all times. have a natter with other passengers who await the plane. Some of them have come up this morning just for a daytrip. The plane turns up on time, everybody and everything gets hoisted inside. Say good-bye to the hosts at NRBO. The door closes, pilot turns round and says: "Have we all had a nice day? OK. Are we all strapped in? Let's head back to Kirkwall". Which we duly do. It's a nice afternoon, as we cross Sanday, pass between Stronsay and Shapinsay to land at Kirkwall at 4.50. The airport bus drops us off in town outside St Magnus, where my partner hails one of her taxi-driver acquaintances. He brings us up the Old Scapa Road where a bed has been organised for me. The Canadian Indians are still about in the hostel. Later that evening, I'm shown a shortcut to the Safeways supermarket on Pickaquoy Road, a Co-op is located up the road.