Day 5

[fbhjr]

This morning we pulled into the Shaint Islands: https://www.shiantisles.net




The birds near our ship liked to skitter across the water, flying, but right at the water level. This left weird marks across the water as they scattered in front of the ship


I admit that at breakfast I watching the lift arm, including its initialization procedure and the linkages on the arm.



We then had a history lecture by a woman who had been one of our guides in Antarctica 4 years ago. Since the historic sites of the Orkneys was one of our big reasons for this trip, we really appreciated the historical background.


Then off to the morning cruise around the islands. We were very excited.





My ability to take photos of my own hand has not diminished.


Off we went to the islands.


Our driver, Alin, was great. I’m not saying zodiac drivers who shout “piracy!” and ram other boats should be encouraged, but it was a very fun ride.

She was very happy we were assigned boat #10 as it was “the good one” and we shot off across the water much faster than any of the others.




My wife was the first to spot the seal, although everyone else did eventually see it.




Birds were the big thing on this island. Thousands. Tens of thousands.





It is very pretty in general





The boats are supposed to travel in pairs. A while later our partner boat called asking where we were. “Oh, I thought you were already over here,” our driver said. “How could I be when you left first?” Was asked. “Sorry, we’ll wait for you to catch up…”


We did not go into the sea caves.
“Because of the monsters?” I asked.
“Yes! You know!” Alin answered.





They are very impressive cliffs. I’m told formed at the same time as the Giant’s Causeway across the straights from here.



Big jelly fish too.


Lots of birds.





There was a seal using a pillow. It was hard to get a photo of it. I’m not saying why, I’m just saying iPhones might be programmed to look for other things than seals.





We did sail around to a sea arch, and that we did go through.



If I thought the east side had a lot of birds, it was nothing compared to the west side.





There was another “I thought you were already there” incident.


This “beach” is where the locals drop off and pick up their sheep.





I thought this rock looked like a muppet.


Most of the birds didn’t seem to care about us, but one puffin just stared.




Then, back out through the arch and to the ship. I’m not saying this is where the “piracy!” thing happened, but you can see where that other boat is in relationship to ours…




And, we got ahead in the boarding line…


We usually walk back up to our deck, but today had more reason than normal…


Then, off to our second destination. https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/inverewe/planning-your-visit





My wife clearly had her phone here.





As we got closer I heard bagpipes and saw a lone bagpiper out on the rocks playing for us as we got closer. Welcome to Scotland.




My wife still has her phone here…



I stopped to look at some bamboo growing in northern Scotland and my wife asked if I had picked up her phone while she took her sweater off. I had not.


So, the great phone search began. She had put it down next to her while she took her sweater off, and we could not find it. My wife does not change clothes by spinning around like the old Wonder Woman show, so we didn’t think it could have gone far. But, we could not find it.


And, we both wanted to be able to use her photos of things…


We did walk the gardens while we were there.













I talked with our cruise people, the garden people and a whole bunch of other guests and no one had found the phone.
So, with regret, we went back to the ship.




We were amazed at how clear the water was by the dock. The only sea water I’ve ever seen this clear was off Tasmania.





Once back to the ship I could access our more advanced “find the phone” apps and force it to start beeping, even when in airplane mode. I also got a location ping off of it. It was not back in the gardens, it was on the ship

I went and reported it to the ship’s crew, showing them that the location was on board, which means someone brought it back.
They said they’d look into it and let us know if it was found.

I spammed the “make a noise” button while my wife and I ate some pears. We eat pears in very different ways…


The ship powered up and we set off for our next port.




The folks at the guest relations desk called us and told us that someone’s child had found our phone and turned it in to them. My wife and I went to get it, proved it was her’s and got it back.
Then, went for dinner as we sailed up the coast.




The odds that someone “just found it” are slim.
My wife put it down to take off her sweater. There was maybe a 30 second window someone could have picked it up and hidden it before she noticed.
“Little Timmy” finding it and thinking it was cool is unlikely to have hidden it that quickly.
It was stolen. On purpose.
But, once it started beeping and wouldn’t stop (the extended battery was still attached when it was returned to us), on a ship where the folks come into the rooms to make them up each night…

The last boat had been back for an hour before we were called.
It was not turned in by someone out of the goodness of their heart.
But, I should be happy we got it back. And, I am.
Still mad they took it, but glad we’ve got protection for them.

Comments

[msmidge]

My daughter's Apple Watch has been stolen by other kids in the same way and then miraculously "found" a day or two later at school or camp.

[fbhjr]

Yeah, I’m sure this stuff goes on a lot.
I’m glad they built the “find my” service into the devices as I’m sure it leads to a lot of miraculous finds.

[taz_39]

Sounds like you should watch ALL of your stuff carefully on this trip.

Beautiful island. Were the birds noisy? I imagine a massive cacophony.

[fbhjr]

Oh yes, they were noisy. All sorts of different bird sounds!

[brittdreams]

So unfortunate that you're on a ship for many more days with an actual thief.

The gardens and the seal photos are just stunning!

[fbhjr]

There are about 200 guests on board. Statistically it was likely there was a thief among them.
Now we just don’t have to rely on statistics to know…

[brittdreams]

Statistically it was likely there was a thief among them.
True enough. I'm glad you had the location pinging thing on and were able to get your wife's phone back.

[threemeninaboat]

Damn kids.

[fbhjr]

At least we got it back.

[palusbuteo]

WHOA! Those islands are so fascinating and pretty!

glad the phone was "returned", and that the locator said it was on the ship and not in the water somewhere.