The boys went home; dropped them at 9; before heading off to uplift the transport for the next few days; chucked a rucksack and a bike in the back of the transit and off up to fetch her. 
And reasonably on schedule we rolled out of town; across the Third Forth Bridge and up the M90. Along with 70% of the western world, it seemed. Slow past Perth (volume of traffic, mainly and the frustration of the A9 with holiday makers who don't understand the 50mph signs apply to 7.5 tonne and above...) and first real stop was Tain. I bought Easter eggs for the girls in Orkney and onwards we went. A more peaceful journey once hit the road beyond Helmsdale and Caithness was a positive joy. Clear and bright and quiet and empty. We swept through Wick and onto JOG for a quick leg stretch before heading along to Gills for the ferry. Parked up /checked in and on; behind schedule but not massively so. 

A flat calm crossing through mirk but as we passed Flotta the sky brightened to the north like we had passed through a bead curtain into another dimension; a brief fiery blast of sunset across Hoy (extra) and in as the light started to fade.

Martin met us on the pier at the Hope; drove us up the hill (unnecessary but welcoming which can be a worry in them there parts)

So in with minimum of fuss and lit the fire, made the beds and cooked gnocchi and blue cheese / spinach / toasted walnuts. And poured a well earned cold beer. Cool and fresh, but good to be there and a cracking fire to fall asleep to.