Setting off on a three-day journey.

Convinced I would oversleep, I was up and dressed by 5.30 a.m. While anxiously checking the weather for the millionth time (how strong will the wind be for the ferry, and will Monday morning be kind to a tiny Islander flight…) I noticed the light filling the kitchen. From my garden the sunrise was astonishing; I have never painted a sky that colour. It was a good sign, but I had to stop listening to the persistent whisper of ‘shepherd’s warning’.

My husband and daughter took me to the station for a tearful goodbye - not them, me. They will be glad to get some peace and quiet. The train was crowded, two carriages instead of four, and standing room only but I got to the Northlink Terminal super early. I could have left my suitcase and rucksack and gone into Aberdeen for lunch, but in my typical non-neurotypical fashion, I clung onto them, sitting in a chair closest to the door, staring at the clock and willing it to be 3 pm. Eventually, it was, and I was the first to board. I had a very comfortable starboard cabin - the staff knew I was going to Fair Isle when I booked and arranged a cabin on that side so I could see the Isle as we passed (although it would be the middle of the night and pitch black).

Sitting in the Magnus Lounge with a glass of wine with fish and chips, was the one thing I was so looking forward to and knew would mark the start of my trip. We also had the most incredible sunset while departing; having no sense of direction, I could not find how to get outside, so I only got some very poor photos as the camera would not focus through the window. But seeing it in real life was better than anything I would be able to capture anyway. It was possibly one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen; cadmium red, streaked with deep cerulean blue and buff titanium.

The journey to Shetland was incredible. There was just enough wind, so you knew you were on a ship, but it was the smoothest sailing I could have wished for. I woke unexpectedly at 3.45 am and looked out the window. Two lights flashed, one higher than the other, the North and South Lights on Fair Isle, confirmed by my wonderful Memory Map app.

Then, back to a few hours of very peaceful sleep before disembarking and heading into Lerwick.

Pretty good chips, and excellent fish on MV Hrossey.