In the Hen Hoose.

On a near perfect morning the Thursvoe glides across Scapa Flow into Houton.

My ‘Isles’ correspondent has reported the following.  Last week Derek was away from the Island so he asked the postwoman to check his hens whilst she delivered the mails, an arrangement that has been in place for some time.  On occasions Derek has accidentally been closed in the hen house but he has installed a failsafe rope - if you are stuck inside pull the rope and you can get out.  The postwoman was feeding the hens and checking for eggs and the door slammed shut, however she didn’t know about the ‘emergency rope’.  She was in the dark.  She knew she wouldn’t be found for some time, more importantly to her she knew she had to have the mails at the pier for the 2.00 pm boat.  What to do ?  There was nothing else for it the only way out was the smallish hole that the hens could get through.  So she stripped down to her bra and pants and wriggled through.  At this stage you have to pause and wonder what anyone coming along for eggs would have thought on seeing the postwoman coming out of the henhouse nearly naked.  However she got back in, dressed, and completed her round. 

When Derek returned home she told him and they had a good laugh, he then told her of the ‘emergency rope’.  Two days later Derek was inside the henhouse himself.  The door slammed to.  He pulled the rope - it came away in his hand.  He had to wait for quite some time.  Derek is 6’4” and 18 stone - there was no way out.