Sunday 28th August 2011
It was a really windy and rainy day all day today.
Most of the U3A guests from Edinburgh were supposed to be coming over on the little John-o-Groats ferry but rather unsurprisingly it did not sail so they went to Thurso to catch The Hamnavoe but that did not sail all day and niether did The Pentalina so they were stuck in scenic Thurso for the night.
Ann, our guest was OK as she had come over here a few days ago and had been staying in Kirkwall so we went down and picked her up from the cathedral after the morning service.
Maddy was not at first very impressed that she would have to give her bedroom up and share with her dad but Ann was very nice to her and in the end she was forgiven.
We went for a coffee at the Fossil Centre in Burray and a look round the museum. It is a really good collection of fossils that must have taken years to gather and cost a fortune. Of course Maddy was not particularly impressed by the fossils but was really taken with a dark room that they have filled with all sorts and colours of flourescent rocks.
The wind dropped on Monday and the remaining visitors managed to get across from Scrabster to Stromness on the first ferry of the morning so they were in time for a U3A meeting at the St Magnus Centre.
In the evening we had the U3A barbeque in a barn belonging to one of the members. I had been a bit worried as I had booked the band "Broken Strings" without asking the permission of the committe. I think they are superb and a brilliant advert for Orkney to show the visitors but I was just hoping that everyone else would like them.
I need not have worried everyone loved them and after an initial bit of reticence most of the people were up dancing. Maddy especially enjoyed it as she was the only youngster there and so of course got spoiled by everybody and spent half her time dancing with different people.
Another bits and bobs day.
Friday 26th August 2011
Pam and Maddy went into Kirkwall shopping so Gareth and I were left to our own devices for a bit. Very pleasant it was to.
Gareth gave me a hand to get the frame up for the roof of the lean-to shed. It went much easier than I thought it would but then things are always easier with 2 instead of 1.
After Pam and Maddy got back we took Maddy down to Hamish and Hilda's to play with their grandaughter Ellen who is just about a year older than Maddy. Gareth and i stopped for a bit just to make sure that they were OK together and then borrowed a transformer from Hamish and went to put up some lights in the shed that is being used for the U3A barbeque on and to meet the band to check if there is anything extra that they need.
There were just a few alterations but nothing major so all is set for Monday which should be a good evening.
We then returned to pick Maddy up, hoping that she had enjoyed herself and had behaved. We need not have worried. Ellen and Maddy are now the best friends in the world and when Maddy comes up next year they are going to have a sleepover. The chances are that she will have forgotten all about it in 2 weeks. Little girls are fickle things. They say that they are going to be pen pals but we will wait and see.
Pam and Maddy went into Kirkwall shopping so Gareth and I were left to our own devices for a bit. Very pleasant it was to.
Gareth gave me a hand to get the frame up for the roof of the lean-to shed. It went much easier than I thought it would but then things are always easier with 2 instead of 1.
After Pam and Maddy got back we took Maddy down to Hamish and Hilda's to play with their grandaughter Ellen who is just about a year older than Maddy. Gareth and i stopped for a bit just to make sure that they were OK together and then borrowed a transformer from Hamish and went to put up some lights in the shed that is being used for the U3A barbeque on and to meet the band to check if there is anything extra that they need.
There were just a few alterations but nothing major so all is set for Monday which should be a good evening.
We then returned to pick Maddy up, hoping that she had enjoyed herself and had behaved. We need not have worried. Ellen and Maddy are now the best friends in the world and when Maddy comes up next year they are going to have a sleepover. The chances are that she will have forgotten all about it in 2 weeks. Little girls are fickle things. They say that they are going to be pen pals but we will wait and see.
Fantastic Boat Trip and an otter as a bonus.
Thursday 25th August 2011
We were all up early and both big and little people were excited. Well Me and Maddy were at least.
We got down to Burray pier, were helped aboard the boat by John and Magnus and off down Water sound into Scapa flow at very high speed.
I was looking at Maddy to see if she was getting upset at the bouncing around going over and through the waves.I need not have bothered, she was grinning all over her face and was really enjoying the trip.
Magnus takes people out on trips regularly and so knows where to go to keep people interested. He showed us some of the wrecks on the sonar or fish finder or whatever it was.Whatever it was, it is a brilliant tool. You can see the outline of anything on the seabed and at one point a sunken submarine appeared on the screen outlined so well that even I could recognise it.
We then went off to one of the scallop beds that they dive and John dived down to gather scallops, taking an extra bag down with him in case he found anything interesting for Maddy. (He was brilliant with maddy throughout the trip and she loved all the attention.)
We left John to swim round on the bottom of The Flow gathering scallops and went off for a tour round the world war one and two defences around Flotta for 40 minutes before we came back to pick him up.
When we go back, John came up with a huge bag of scallops and another bag for Maddy.
He had fetched up 3 starfish. One was a spiny starfish, one a sun starfish and I can not remember what type the other was. There was also a sea urchin and some purple stones
Maddy was fascinated by them all and it must be good for kids to see things being fetched up from the sea so that they know where things are from.
We then went off towards Lyness, passing loads of grey and common seals. At Lyness John and Magnus dropped us off to have lunch at the museum while they went off and dived for some more scallops. They left us a radio so that we could call them back when we were ready.It felt quite decadent being able to call a boat to come and collect you when you were ready to leave.
(They told us when they got back later that they had seen 8 porpoises right by the boat as they left Lyness. We always seem to just be in the wrong place for seeing whales and dolphins.)
It is the first time that I have been to Lyness. It was the main navy base in the two world wars and it has a large museum mainly about the naval bases. This is great for kids as most of the exhibits are very big and very durable so there is no problem about childrn climbing all over them.
We had lunch in the cafe there and wandered round the museum. They had a "dressing up box" which Maddy loved and she was impressed by the big guns and torpedoes.
They even had some railway engines from the naval railway, one of the very few bits of railway that Orkney has seen.
We then radiod up for the boat which came to pick us up loaded with even more scallops, a big lobster and some more starfish.
John and Magnus gave Maddy some scallops but we could not persuade them to give her the lobster.
After that it was off back to Burray. As we got back out into the Flow, we saw The Pentalina coming in from Gills bay.Magnus put his foot down (or whatever the equivalent is in a boat) and we shot off over The Flow towards it as fast as he could go.
I wondered at first if he was just trying to get into Water Sound before The Pentalina for some reason but I soon realised that he was just out for a bit of fun.
There is a big set of bow waves that comes off The Pentalina and with a look back to make sure that we were all safe and happy Magnus took the boat striaght into them. The boat was leaving the water altogether as we crossed some of the waves and the passengers on the ferry were laughing and waving. Maddy though it was great and was waving back while still making sure she held on tight with the other hand.
Altogether it had been a brilliant trip and I need not have worried about Maddy. She had been thoroughly spoilt by John and had enjoyed the exciting bits. (I think that she inherits some of her fathers adrenaline junky traits.)
After getting back we went to The Hope for some groceries and just to round off the day nicely, as we drove back Pam saw an otter on the edge of Water Sound. Of course we were in the one place where I could not stop suddenly and safely so I did not have chance to stop and see it.
We were all up early and both big and little people were excited. Well Me and Maddy were at least.
We got down to Burray pier, were helped aboard the boat by John and Magnus and off down Water sound into Scapa flow at very high speed.
I was looking at Maddy to see if she was getting upset at the bouncing around going over and through the waves.I need not have bothered, she was grinning all over her face and was really enjoying the trip.Magnus takes people out on trips regularly and so knows where to go to keep people interested. He showed us some of the wrecks on the sonar or fish finder or whatever it was.Whatever it was, it is a brilliant tool. You can see the outline of anything on the seabed and at one point a sunken submarine appeared on the screen outlined so well that even I could recognise it.
We then went off to one of the scallop beds that they dive and John dived down to gather scallops, taking an extra bag down with him in case he found anything interesting for Maddy. (He was brilliant with maddy throughout the trip and she loved all the attention.)
We left John to swim round on the bottom of The Flow gathering scallops and went off for a tour round the world war one and two defences around Flotta for 40 minutes before we came back to pick him up.
He had fetched up 3 starfish. One was a spiny starfish, one a sun starfish and I can not remember what type the other was. There was also a sea urchin and some purple stones
Maddy was fascinated by them all and it must be good for kids to see things being fetched up from the sea so that they know where things are from.
We then went off towards Lyness, passing loads of grey and common seals. At Lyness John and Magnus dropped us off to have lunch at the museum while they went off and dived for some more scallops. They left us a radio so that we could call them back when we were ready.It felt quite decadent being able to call a boat to come and collect you when you were ready to leave.
(They told us when they got back later that they had seen 8 porpoises right by the boat as they left Lyness. We always seem to just be in the wrong place for seeing whales and dolphins.)
It is the first time that I have been to Lyness. It was the main navy base in the two world wars and it has a large museum mainly about the naval bases. This is great for kids as most of the exhibits are very big and very durable so there is no problem about childrn climbing all over them.
We had lunch in the cafe there and wandered round the museum. They had a "dressing up box" which Maddy loved and she was impressed by the big guns and torpedoes.
They even had some railway engines from the naval railway, one of the very few bits of railway that Orkney has seen.
We then radiod up for the boat which came to pick us up loaded with even more scallops, a big lobster and some more starfish.
After that it was off back to Burray. As we got back out into the Flow, we saw The Pentalina coming in from Gills bay.Magnus put his foot down (or whatever the equivalent is in a boat) and we shot off over The Flow towards it as fast as he could go.
I wondered at first if he was just trying to get into Water Sound before The Pentalina for some reason but I soon realised that he was just out for a bit of fun.
There is a big set of bow waves that comes off The Pentalina and with a look back to make sure that we were all safe and happy Magnus took the boat striaght into them. The boat was leaving the water altogether as we crossed some of the waves and the passengers on the ferry were laughing and waving. Maddy though it was great and was waving back while still making sure she held on tight with the other hand.
Altogether it had been a brilliant trip and I need not have worried about Maddy. She had been thoroughly spoilt by John and had enjoyed the exciting bits. (I think that she inherits some of her fathers adrenaline junky traits.)
After getting back we went to The Hope for some groceries and just to round off the day nicely, as we drove back Pam saw an otter on the edge of Water Sound. Of course we were in the one place where I could not stop suddenly and safely so I did not have chance to stop and see it.
The quiet then the whirlwind.
Sunday 21st August 2011
After Dave and Ann left we had a couple of days of tranquility to build up our strength before Gareth and Maddy arrived and I have no doubt that we will need the rest.
They arrived on Monday at ten to five in the afternoon on a flight from Aberdeen. After travelling all day you would expect them to be a bit knackered and indeed Gareth was a bit shattered. Maddy however arrived at full throttle even though she had been awake and chattering all the way up. She started off by jumping around all over the airport and was obviously very pleased to see us which was really nice. When we got back I left Pam and Gareth to get sorted out and relax and went out with Maddy to check the chickens, collect the eggs, take the dog a walk and go to the beach where we built a stone house.
On Tuesday we went up to the Ness of Brodgar dig. I think that recently I am spending more time there than some of the archaeologists but it is an interesting site and every time we go there is something new.
Niel Oliver was at the Ness with a film crew making a program about the dig which is due to be shown on TV around Christmas.
Maddy was not impressed by either the dig or by the people off the TV but then I don't suppose it is very exciting for a 6 year old. She was much happeir later when we went to Birsay to do some rockpooling.
As with Harry the other week, we didn't find much except hermit crabs and limpets but all kids just love fiddling round and getting their feet wet.
Thenit was back home via Burray pier to pick up some scallops. While we were down the village we nipped into Duncan's to pick up some lights we are borrowing for the brbeque on Saturday. Maddy met Jock, molly's friend and was invited round to Hilda's on friday when her grandchildren are staying with her.
Wednesday was just a puddle around sort of day. Pam had to run Dave Wakefield into hospital first thing so Gareth and I just went down to Kirkwall. He did a bit of shopping while Maddy and I went to The reel for a coffee. At least I had a coffee, Maddy had a hot chocolate with cream, choc chips and god knows what else sprinkled all over it. She has now decided that this is her favourite drink.
At home Pam and Maddy did some baking and we got a phone call from Magnus (The scallop man) to say that the boat trip was on for tomorrow.
This boat trip is one that we won in the Radio Orkney Children in need auction about 9 or 10 months ago but we have only just got round to using it. We are going round Scapa Flow then over to Lyness on Hoy for dinner before returning to Burray. I just hope that Maddy does not decide that she doesn't like it after about 10 minutes on the boat.
After Dave and Ann left we had a couple of days of tranquility to build up our strength before Gareth and Maddy arrived and I have no doubt that we will need the rest.
They arrived on Monday at ten to five in the afternoon on a flight from Aberdeen. After travelling all day you would expect them to be a bit knackered and indeed Gareth was a bit shattered. Maddy however arrived at full throttle even though she had been awake and chattering all the way up. She started off by jumping around all over the airport and was obviously very pleased to see us which was really nice. When we got back I left Pam and Gareth to get sorted out and relax and went out with Maddy to check the chickens, collect the eggs, take the dog a walk and go to the beach where we built a stone house.
On Tuesday we went up to the Ness of Brodgar dig. I think that recently I am spending more time there than some of the archaeologists but it is an interesting site and every time we go there is something new.
Niel Oliver was at the Ness with a film crew making a program about the dig which is due to be shown on TV around Christmas.
Maddy was not impressed by either the dig or by the people off the TV but then I don't suppose it is very exciting for a 6 year old. She was much happeir later when we went to Birsay to do some rockpooling.
As with Harry the other week, we didn't find much except hermit crabs and limpets but all kids just love fiddling round and getting their feet wet.
Thenit was back home via Burray pier to pick up some scallops. While we were down the village we nipped into Duncan's to pick up some lights we are borrowing for the brbeque on Saturday. Maddy met Jock, molly's friend and was invited round to Hilda's on friday when her grandchildren are staying with her.
Wednesday was just a puddle around sort of day. Pam had to run Dave Wakefield into hospital first thing so Gareth and I just went down to Kirkwall. He did a bit of shopping while Maddy and I went to The reel for a coffee. At least I had a coffee, Maddy had a hot chocolate with cream, choc chips and god knows what else sprinkled all over it. She has now decided that this is her favourite drink.
At home Pam and Maddy did some baking and we got a phone call from Magnus (The scallop man) to say that the boat trip was on for tomorrow.
This boat trip is one that we won in the Radio Orkney Children in need auction about 9 or 10 months ago but we have only just got round to using it. We are going round Scapa Flow then over to Lyness on Hoy for dinner before returning to Burray. I just hope that Maddy does not decide that she doesn't like it after about 10 minutes on the boat.
Does anybody understand the FlyBe website?
Friday 19th August 2011
The FlyBe website seems designed to confuse people. Surely this can not be done deliberately to ensure that they misunderstand their baggage allowances and end up paying for excess. Because of this we thought that it would be a good idea to go down to the airport and check with the FlyBe staff what the actual baggage allowance for David and Ann would be for their return home.
When we got to the airport even the FlyBe staff were unsure and one of them agreed that the website probably was designed to deliberately mislead. Finally though we got it all sorted out so at least Dave and Ann know what they can carry back tomorrow.
On instructions from Gareth we then went into town to buy a copy of Farmers Weekly which contains a large photo of him. Pam was mortified that he had not shaved and his arms were covered in cowshit. At least he looked the part of a working dairy herdsman.
After we got back home Dave and Ann went off fishing again down to Burray pier where Ann bought 10 scallops for 60 pence each, including a lesson on how to clean them. A real bargain.
They fetched the scallops home and Pam and I then got a cleaning lesson. Pam got one open but it started to close again so she thought that it was trying to bite her. Eventually we won though. We ate all the scallops and they ate none of us.
Saturday was dave and Ann last day but before they left we went to the church in The Hope where Pam's friend Helen had a display of needlework and painting.
I am not normally a great fan of needlework but some of the stuff that Helen had made was so intricate that even I thought that it was amazing. In addition we got a lovely old fashioned cream tea all beautifully laid out with three tier cake stands and proper spotless table-cloths.
Then it was off to the airport for Dave and Ann to catch their plane. When they got there they found that the baggage allowance that they were told yesterday was incorrect. Fortunately they did not have too much baggage and just had to leave a bottle of whisky with us which was kindly accepted, just to help out of course.
Just before they were due to go through to the departure lounge all the passangers were called to the check in desk. The satff explained that the aircraft was going to be overweight and they needed two people to volounteer to go on a later flight. Of course nobody volounteered so they did a recalculation and suddenly found that it was all OK really and nobody needed to be left behind.
It did not do Ann's nerves any good but eventually the aircraft took off without plummeting earthwards under the weight, so all was well.
I then dropped Pam back home and went off to the sand of Wright to see the boys ploughing match.
The FlyBe website seems designed to confuse people. Surely this can not be done deliberately to ensure that they misunderstand their baggage allowances and end up paying for excess. Because of this we thought that it would be a good idea to go down to the airport and check with the FlyBe staff what the actual baggage allowance for David and Ann would be for their return home.
When we got to the airport even the FlyBe staff were unsure and one of them agreed that the website probably was designed to deliberately mislead. Finally though we got it all sorted out so at least Dave and Ann know what they can carry back tomorrow.
On instructions from Gareth we then went into town to buy a copy of Farmers Weekly which contains a large photo of him. Pam was mortified that he had not shaved and his arms were covered in cowshit. At least he looked the part of a working dairy herdsman.
After we got back home Dave and Ann went off fishing again down to Burray pier where Ann bought 10 scallops for 60 pence each, including a lesson on how to clean them. A real bargain.
Saturday was dave and Ann last day but before they left we went to the church in The Hope where Pam's friend Helen had a display of needlework and painting.
I am not normally a great fan of needlework but some of the stuff that Helen had made was so intricate that even I thought that it was amazing. In addition we got a lovely old fashioned cream tea all beautifully laid out with three tier cake stands and proper spotless table-cloths.
Then it was off to the airport for Dave and Ann to catch their plane. When they got there they found that the baggage allowance that they were told yesterday was incorrect. Fortunately they did not have too much baggage and just had to leave a bottle of whisky with us which was kindly accepted, just to help out of course.
Just before they were due to go through to the departure lounge all the passangers were called to the check in desk. The satff explained that the aircraft was going to be overweight and they needed two people to volounteer to go on a later flight. Of course nobody volounteered so they did a recalculation and suddenly found that it was all OK really and nobody needed to be left behind.
It did not do Ann's nerves any good but eventually the aircraft took off without plummeting earthwards under the weight, so all was well.
I then dropped Pam back home and went off to the sand of Wright to see the boys ploughing match.
Dave catches his first fish.
Thursday 18th August 2011
Pam had a U3A meeting this morning so we dropped her off at the St Magnus Centre and had a wander round town. Ann wanted to do some shopping so Dave and I went round the cathedral. We then met up with Ann who wanted to see the cathedral so I went round the cathedral again with Ann while dave did some shopping. We were going to go round the museum but no sooner had we got in than Pam phoned up to say the meeting had finished so we abandoned the museum until another day and met up at The Reel for a coffee before going back to Burray.
I bought a copy of the paper and found that there was a large photo of me with the cockerel from the Hope show. Fame at last.
Back at Burray Dave and Ann went down to the pier to try some fishing again. This time a triumph. Dave hooked 4 fish, 3 dropped off but he landed one.
Apparently this was the first fish that he had ever caught in his life. (He must have had a terribly mis-spent youth, playing chess and all that when he should have beenout fishing with a stick and a bent pin.)
I think that the pleasure he got from catching that fish made the cost of the tackle seem trivial. The lads who are always fishing on the pier seemed almost as pleased as David that he had caught one. We bought another 3 fish from the lads and had mackerel again with our tea.
Pam had a U3A meeting this morning so we dropped her off at the St Magnus Centre and had a wander round town. Ann wanted to do some shopping so Dave and I went round the cathedral. We then met up with Ann who wanted to see the cathedral so I went round the cathedral again with Ann while dave did some shopping. We were going to go round the museum but no sooner had we got in than Pam phoned up to say the meeting had finished so we abandoned the museum until another day and met up at The Reel for a coffee before going back to Burray.
I bought a copy of the paper and found that there was a large photo of me with the cockerel from the Hope show. Fame at last.
Back at Burray Dave and Ann went down to the pier to try some fishing again. This time a triumph. Dave hooked 4 fish, 3 dropped off but he landed one.
Apparently this was the first fish that he had ever caught in his life. (He must have had a terribly mis-spent youth, playing chess and all that when he should have beenout fishing with a stick and a bent pin.)
I think that the pleasure he got from catching that fish made the cost of the tackle seem trivial. The lads who are always fishing on the pier seemed almost as pleased as David that he had caught one. We bought another 3 fish from the lads and had mackerel again with our tea.
And another nice day.
Tuesday 16th August 2011
Now that the weather has returned to normal it was no surprise that we had another fine day.
David has decided that after seeing the lads fishing so sucessfully at the pier, he wants to give it a go himself so we were going to Shearers in Kirkwall to see what they had in the way of reasonably priced tackle. On the way we stopped at The Italian Chapel and the adjacent wine shop.
At Shearer's, when we said what we wanted they went and got one of their staff who does a lot of fishing to help us out. He soon had us sorted out with a rod, hooks, lures etc but although he went through all their stock he could not find a decent quality reel at a reasonable price. Apparently they were due to get some in stock in a few days but as we needed a reel quickly that was no good. He therefor decided that he had a reel that we could have for £15 and shot off to get it, returning in a couple of minutes. David and Ann now had all that they needed (except perhaps a certain level of skill or experience) to enable them to catch their own fish.
That will have to wait until tomorrowthough as we still had some compulsory sightseeing to do. So it was off to Maeshowe then to the Ring of Brodgar
On Wednesday there was one of the U3A birdie walks on at Marwick head. I had checked and it was OK to take Dave and Ann along. (They sometimes get worried about the insurance if a non-member falls off the edge of a cliff.) I drove up to the car park for the Kitchener Memorial at Marwick Head. We were 2 or 3 minutes late but there were no other cars there. I assumed that I had got the details wrong, maybe the wrong time, so we decided that we would have a stroll round anyway so made our way up to the memorial. From there you can see the other car park, that I did not know existed, down by Marwick Bay. Surprise Surprise! the other car park contained several cars. We started off down towards the bay and met the others coming up.
After a few personal insults from the rest of the group, we turned round and all went together back up to the top of the cliffs.
there were quite a few gannets around. there seem to be getting to be more gannets around mainland Orkney but I am not sure if this is a good sign or if it just means that they can not find fish in their usual haunts. there was also a very obliging kestrel who kept coming and hovering not to far away and some ravens. The best bitmewhat "red in tooth and claw" was a bonxie that had just caught a fulmar and was kindly tearing it to pieces on the sea for the benefit of those with zoom lenses on their cameras.
On the way back I though that it would be a good idea to go and have a look round Stromness while Pam was not with us. Stromness is not Pam's favourite place but I like it so we had a stroll round the harbour and down the town. I took Dave and Ann to have a look at Tim Wooton's gallery as I love his paintings but just as we went in, Tim went rushing out shouting "You're minding the shop". I tried to negotiate a commission but Tim was to fast and had gone before agreeing to terms.
On our return home Dave and Ann wanted to try out their new fishing tackle. Bev from over the road had said that she would help us get it all set up but she was not about. I therefore had to reach back into my youth and remember how to tie knots in fishing line. We went to the pier at LambHolm and gave it about 15 minutes but caught nothing which was not totally surprising, so we went back to Burray pier. The lads were there again and they said that the fish had gone and it would be better at high tide tomorrow. Bowing to their superior knowledge we decided to come back tomorrow.
Now that the weather has returned to normal it was no surprise that we had another fine day.
David has decided that after seeing the lads fishing so sucessfully at the pier, he wants to give it a go himself so we were going to Shearers in Kirkwall to see what they had in the way of reasonably priced tackle. On the way we stopped at The Italian Chapel and the adjacent wine shop.
At Shearer's, when we said what we wanted they went and got one of their staff who does a lot of fishing to help us out. He soon had us sorted out with a rod, hooks, lures etc but although he went through all their stock he could not find a decent quality reel at a reasonable price. Apparently they were due to get some in stock in a few days but as we needed a reel quickly that was no good. He therefor decided that he had a reel that we could have for £15 and shot off to get it, returning in a couple of minutes. David and Ann now had all that they needed (except perhaps a certain level of skill or experience) to enable them to catch their own fish.
That will have to wait until tomorrowthough as we still had some compulsory sightseeing to do. So it was off to Maeshowe then to the Ring of Brodgar
After a few personal insults from the rest of the group, we turned round and all went together back up to the top of the cliffs.
there were quite a few gannets around. there seem to be getting to be more gannets around mainland Orkney but I am not sure if this is a good sign or if it just means that they can not find fish in their usual haunts. there was also a very obliging kestrel who kept coming and hovering not to far away and some ravens. The best bitmewhat "red in tooth and claw" was a bonxie that had just caught a fulmar and was kindly tearing it to pieces on the sea for the benefit of those with zoom lenses on their cameras.
On the way back I though that it would be a good idea to go and have a look round Stromness while Pam was not with us. Stromness is not Pam's favourite place but I like it so we had a stroll round the harbour and down the town. I took Dave and Ann to have a look at Tim Wooton's gallery as I love his paintings but just as we went in, Tim went rushing out shouting "You're minding the shop". I tried to negotiate a commission but Tim was to fast and had gone before agreeing to terms.
On our return home Dave and Ann wanted to try out their new fishing tackle. Bev from over the road had said that she would help us get it all set up but she was not about. I therefore had to reach back into my youth and remember how to tie knots in fishing line. We went to the pier at LambHolm and gave it about 15 minutes but caught nothing which was not totally surprising, so we went back to Burray pier. The lads were there again and they said that the fish had gone and it would be better at high tide tomorrow. Bowing to their superior knowledge we decided to come back tomorrow.
A change in the weather.
Sunday 14th August 2011
Dave and Ann's first day up here today. After a few days bad weather while Babs and Harry were up here. The weather improved as soon as they left. Sod's law. We will try and do better next year Babs.
Pam was happy at the turn in the weather. She had been worried that Dave and Ann would not understand why we moved here. I think that Pam was convinced that Ann thoughtat orkney was just a collection of cold, barren, windswept rocks in a stormy sea. She need not have worried.
There was a big vintage rally at the mart in Kirkwall today so we went down there, mainly because I wanted to go anyway. We were only going to be there for a short time but we all enjoyed it so we stayed around for some time. (Pam stayed in the car because she is a party pooper and doesn't like vintage engines.)
After the vintage rally it was off to Finstown where we had a picnic overlooking the bay. (I told you the weather had got better.)Then to Kirbuster farm museum, the stones of Stennes and Barnhouse neolithic village before returning to Burray and The Sands for a well deserved beer.
While we were sitting outside The Sands having a drink there were three young lads fishing for mackerel from the pier. We went over to see how the fishing was going and were told that they had caught 61 fish. Ann bought 4 mackerel for us to take home for tea.
I think that the lads were a bit surprised that people would actually eat mackerel which they thought were only fit for use baiting lobster pots. There is no accounting for what the mad english will eat but if they want to pay good money for mackerel then the lads were only to happy to oblige.
It was really nice to see the lads enjoying themselves as little lads should. A little bit cheeky but in an amusing and not annoying way. After that, back home with mackerel for tea. They were very nice to (too two) (for my pedantic daughter) even if the lads can't understand why we should want to eat them.
On Monday morning I went out early to check the poultry. One of the geese was lying in a corner doing a great impression of a dead goose. On closer inspection, it had managed to get some wire round its neck and the other end was fastened to a post so it had been attempting a particularly slow method of committing suicide.
It took me quite a while to get the wire from around the goose's neck but fortunately it had not cut into the skin. Within minutes of being released, the goose was waddling round with the others as if nothing has happened.
It was another nice day so we went up to the Brough of Birsay and walked round to the whalebone at Skipi Geo.
On the way back we stopped off at The Loons bird hide. There have been reports of a water rail with young ones there and I have never seen a water rail.
Along with Dave and Ann I spent about 45 minutes there. We heard the water rail but it was obviously skulking in the reed beds and we did not even get a glimpse of it. At least I have now heard one now though.
Dave and Ann's first day up here today. After a few days bad weather while Babs and Harry were up here. The weather improved as soon as they left. Sod's law. We will try and do better next year Babs.
Pam was happy at the turn in the weather. She had been worried that Dave and Ann would not understand why we moved here. I think that Pam was convinced that Ann thoughtat orkney was just a collection of cold, barren, windswept rocks in a stormy sea. She need not have worried.
There was a big vintage rally at the mart in Kirkwall today so we went down there, mainly because I wanted to go anyway. We were only going to be there for a short time but we all enjoyed it so we stayed around for some time. (Pam stayed in the car because she is a party pooper and doesn't like vintage engines.)
After the vintage rally it was off to Finstown where we had a picnic overlooking the bay. (I told you the weather had got better.)Then to Kirbuster farm museum, the stones of Stennes and Barnhouse neolithic village before returning to Burray and The Sands for a well deserved beer.
While we were sitting outside The Sands having a drink there were three young lads fishing for mackerel from the pier. We went over to see how the fishing was going and were told that they had caught 61 fish. Ann bought 4 mackerel for us to take home for tea.
I think that the lads were a bit surprised that people would actually eat mackerel which they thought were only fit for use baiting lobster pots. There is no accounting for what the mad english will eat but if they want to pay good money for mackerel then the lads were only to happy to oblige.
It was really nice to see the lads enjoying themselves as little lads should. A little bit cheeky but in an amusing and not annoying way. After that, back home with mackerel for tea. They were very nice to (too two) (for my pedantic daughter) even if the lads can't understand why we should want to eat them.
On Monday morning I went out early to check the poultry. One of the geese was lying in a corner doing a great impression of a dead goose. On closer inspection, it had managed to get some wire round its neck and the other end was fastened to a post so it had been attempting a particularly slow method of committing suicide.
It took me quite a while to get the wire from around the goose's neck but fortunately it had not cut into the skin. Within minutes of being released, the goose was waddling round with the others as if nothing has happened.
It was another nice day so we went up to the Brough of Birsay and walked round to the whalebone at Skipi Geo.
On the way back we stopped off at The Loons bird hide. There have been reports of a water rail with young ones there and I have never seen a water rail.
Along with Dave and Ann I spent about 45 minutes there. We heard the water rail but it was obviously skulking in the reed beds and we did not even get a glimpse of it. At least I have now heard one now though.
County Show Day
Saturday 13th August 2011
The biggest day in the Orkney calander. The county show is upon us.
Extra boats and flights are lad on from the outer isles and half the population of Orkney will descend on a few fields on the outskirts of Kirkwall.
The weather is not bad which must be a relief for the organisers. A few showers are predicted but nothing bad and most of the day is supposed to be dry.
Bright and early in the morning we took the Orpington cockerel and the Dorking hen down and put them into their pens at the showground. After giving them a last brush down and picking bits of shavings off them there was nothing else we could do.
Eddie Cragie, who had judged at the Hope show came over to have a look at our cockerel and was really singing his praises, saying that he would love to take him home so that was encouraging.
We then went for a look round the showground before it got to crowded while we were waiting for the results from the poultry judging. This time the judge was from down south so we did not know anything about him.
Unlike the Hope show, we could not see anything of what was going on in the marquee as they had all the sides down and the doors closed while the judging was in progress. Eventually though they were finished and we were allowed in to see how we had done.
I went straight to the cockerel's cage to see how he had done and was really pleased to see that he had won his class (Large fowl cockerel). I knew that he looked good but it is more than I had expected and I would have been very pleased with any rosette.
I then went to see how the Dorking hen had done and was stunned to see that she had won her class and was also reserve champion. Several people came over to congratulate us and I was over the moon.
On our return from the show we got a phone call from Claire. Davis had a bad infection in his leg and was in terrible pain, so it was pack the hens away quickly and get round to take Dave to hospital.
Dave is not one to over react to pain but even he was obviously suffing a good deal. We got Dave to hospital and waited with Claire for an hour or so until they decided to keep Dave in hospital. we then ran Claire back, went home and had a quick bite to eat before going back to Kirkwall to pick David and Ann up from the Aberdeen ferry. Then back home, chatting until late and then to bed way past my bedtime.
A really good day though. (Apart from Dave's leg).
The biggest day in the Orkney calander. The county show is upon us.
Extra boats and flights are lad on from the outer isles and half the population of Orkney will descend on a few fields on the outskirts of Kirkwall.
The weather is not bad which must be a relief for the organisers. A few showers are predicted but nothing bad and most of the day is supposed to be dry.
Bright and early in the morning we took the Orpington cockerel and the Dorking hen down and put them into their pens at the showground. After giving them a last brush down and picking bits of shavings off them there was nothing else we could do.
Eddie Cragie, who had judged at the Hope show came over to have a look at our cockerel and was really singing his praises, saying that he would love to take him home so that was encouraging.
We then went for a look round the showground before it got to crowded while we were waiting for the results from the poultry judging. This time the judge was from down south so we did not know anything about him.
Unlike the Hope show, we could not see anything of what was going on in the marquee as they had all the sides down and the doors closed while the judging was in progress. Eventually though they were finished and we were allowed in to see how we had done.
I went straight to the cockerel's cage to see how he had done and was really pleased to see that he had won his class (Large fowl cockerel). I knew that he looked good but it is more than I had expected and I would have been very pleased with any rosette.
I then went to see how the Dorking hen had done and was stunned to see that she had won her class and was also reserve champion. Several people came over to congratulate us and I was over the moon.
On our return from the show we got a phone call from Claire. Davis had a bad infection in his leg and was in terrible pain, so it was pack the hens away quickly and get round to take Dave to hospital.
Dave is not one to over react to pain but even he was obviously suffing a good deal. We got Dave to hospital and waited with Claire for an hour or so until they decided to keep Dave in hospital. we then ran Claire back, went home and had a quick bite to eat before going back to Kirkwall to pick David and Ann up from the Aberdeen ferry. Then back home, chatting until late and then to bed way past my bedtime.
A really good day though. (Apart from Dave's leg).
Dad's 90th birthday
Friday 12th August 2011
Today is my dad's 90th birthday. Since coming out of hospital he has been in The Hawthorns and has decided that he is going to stay there. This is a bit of a relief, presumably even more so for Hazel and Sue but it is also a bit sad. He has always been so independent (cussedly so at times) for so long. It must have been hard for him to admit that he now needs more help from other people.
He has not yet got a land line phone in his room so I phoned on Babs's mobile when she was there to wish him a happy birthday.
Being the little star that she is Babs had gone to see my dad, had taken him a present and cake that she had made for him and had helped him unwrap his other presents. Thanks for that daughter dearest.
If you read this dad, I hope you had a happy birthday and that The Hawthorns is better than sitting at home.
Today is my dad's 90th birthday. Since coming out of hospital he has been in The Hawthorns and has decided that he is going to stay there. This is a bit of a relief, presumably even more so for Hazel and Sue but it is also a bit sad. He has always been so independent (cussedly so at times) for so long. It must have been hard for him to admit that he now needs more help from other people.
He has not yet got a land line phone in his room so I phoned on Babs's mobile when she was there to wish him a happy birthday.
Being the little star that she is Babs had gone to see my dad, had taken him a present and cake that she had made for him and had helped him unwrap his other presents. Thanks for that daughter dearest.
If you read this dad, I hope you had a happy birthday and that The Hawthorns is better than sitting at home.
Some bad bits but some good bits.
Wednesday 10th August 2011
Babs and Harry left on the Pentalina this morning. It has not been the best of holidays for her. The weather has been what is referred to in Orkney as "changeable" which anywhere else would mean "bad". At least I think that it gave her a much needed chance to unwind a bit once she had finished her OU work.
It is always sad when the kids go back home as we know that we will not see them for so long. We speak to Babs most days on the phone but I always have trouble with phones. Pam can gossip for hours about nothing but I can use a phone to pass information and then I am stumped. maybe it is a man thing but maybe it makes it more difficult to actually say goodbye.
We did not have much time for tears after Babs and Harry left because it was the South Ron and Burray show in the Hope so we had to shoot back home, collect the two chickens that we had entered and get them down to the showground.
We had entered our Orpington cock and one of his hens. The cockerel looks good to me but I do not know anything about showing poultry as this is the first time we have ever shown any poultry. Our best looking hens are moulting at the moment so I did not hold out much hope for the hen that we took in. Anyway, once they were in their pens and smoothed down, all we could do was wait.
The judging seemed to take forever and of course we were not allowed near but we could see all the cages. Finally they came round fastening the rosettes onto the cages and we were very pleased to see a red 1st rosette on the cockerel and a 3rd on the hen. I thought that as that was the end of it, I would take a photo of the birds with the rosettes on their cages but I had just got the photos when the steward came round and stuck another prize card on the cockerel's cage and then another and another and finally the champion rosette.
Babs and Harry left on the Pentalina this morning. It has not been the best of holidays for her. The weather has been what is referred to in Orkney as "changeable" which anywhere else would mean "bad". At least I think that it gave her a much needed chance to unwind a bit once she had finished her OU work.
It is always sad when the kids go back home as we know that we will not see them for so long. We speak to Babs most days on the phone but I always have trouble with phones. Pam can gossip for hours about nothing but I can use a phone to pass information and then I am stumped. maybe it is a man thing but maybe it makes it more difficult to actually say goodbye.
We did not have much time for tears after Babs and Harry left because it was the South Ron and Burray show in the Hope so we had to shoot back home, collect the two chickens that we had entered and get them down to the showground.
We had entered our Orpington cock and one of his hens. The cockerel looks good to me but I do not know anything about showing poultry as this is the first time we have ever shown any poultry. Our best looking hens are moulting at the moment so I did not hold out much hope for the hen that we took in. Anyway, once they were in their pens and smoothed down, all we could do was wait.
The judging seemed to take forever and of course we were not allowed near but we could see all the cages. Finally they came round fastening the rosettes onto the cages and we were very pleased to see a red 1st rosette on the cockerel and a 3rd on the hen. I thought that as that was the end of it, I would take a photo of the birds with the rosettes on their cages but I had just got the photos when the steward came round and stuck another prize card on the cockerel's cage and then another and another and finally the champion rosette.
I was over the moon. Not bad for a first try at showing but we will see haow we do on Saturday at the county show when there will be the best poultry in Orkney. I was encouraged by talking to the judge (Eddie Cragie) later though. He is a well known breeder of black orpingtons and he reckoned that our cockerel was superb and had no real faults. He was very pleased to see some other good quality orpingtons. We will be competing against him on saturday though.
I was then interviewed and photographed for the local paper and had another interview by Radio Orkney. (Fame at last.)
It is a shame that babs and Harry could not have been there to share my excitement.
As a bonus, one of the photos that I had entered in the photographic section of the show got a third prize. If anything, this was more surprising than the prizes for the chickens. I had only really entered 3 photos to help make a good show.
As i was now getting allig headed about the poultry showing, I decided that the hen who had come 3rd was not good enough for the county show on saturday so I gave one of my dorkings a quick rinse and brush up. We shall see if she can do any better than the orpington.
It doesn't get any better.
Monday 8th August 2011
Another what can only be described as " not the best of days", so it was to the Picky centre soft play area again for Harry. (Babs is not having the best time for her holiday, me sick, her OU, and bad weather.)
Tuesday was better which is lucky as it is Bab's last full day. We decided to take advantage of the slightly better weather and went up to Birsay for some rock pooling. There were loads of hermit crabs, a few anemones but not much else. Harry was happy enough though. I think that all kids, including the older ones enjoy messing about in rock pools to see what is there.
It is South Ronaldsay and Burray show tomorrow so in the afternoon Pam had to take her cakes over. Watch this space for the results.
Another what can only be described as " not the best of days", so it was to the Picky centre soft play area again for Harry. (Babs is not having the best time for her holiday, me sick, her OU, and bad weather.)
Tuesday was better which is lucky as it is Bab's last full day. We decided to take advantage of the slightly better weather and went up to Birsay for some rock pooling. There were loads of hermit crabs, a few anemones but not much else. Harry was happy enough though. I think that all kids, including the older ones enjoy messing about in rock pools to see what is there.
It is South Ronaldsay and Burray show tomorrow so in the afternoon Pam had to take her cakes over. Watch this space for the results.
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