It's a bit draughty again.

Tuesday 25th October 2011

 It's been a bit breezy all of the last week, so being very nesh I have not done much outside.
The wind is south easterly so it is not cold but there is a lot of it and it is not very comfortable. Nice to look at the sea out of the window but having said that with several days of southerly, salt laden winds and no rain, the windows are all isted over with salt crystals and I can't see out properly.
It is the first good blow of the autumn and it is not really supposed to calm down for a few days yet but at least it is all dramatic and impressive.
There is nothing more guaranteed to put you in your place and feel very small and puny than watching the sea in a good storm. It's surprising that these islands have not been blasted away long ago.

The barriers were shut for the first time last night and again around high tide this morning sa as we had to go to the shop in "The Hope" we took a couple of detours to do our touristy bit and watch the sea.



 First at Honeys Geo just over No4 barrier on South Ronaldsay. This is normally a nice sheltered little beach with loads of birds and a stream entering the sea. All nice an picturesque but for some reason today there were no little wading birds on the beach.

 I was a bit surprised to see so many gulls flying about but they often seem to like it when we get really high winds. I am sure that they can not be hunting for food in these conditions. They must just be enjoying the experience.

Then we went over to No 2 barrier where the police had parked across the road to stop anybody attempting to cross. Only a suicidal idiot would have attempted to cross anyway but I suppose that the police even have to protect idiots from themselves.
On the way back I noticed that the pontoon that is used for mooring visiting yatchs by No3 barrier was cst right up on the shore. I am not sure if it had broken its moorings and washed up there or if it had been towed there deliberately to save it from the waether. (I think that it would sustain less damage in the bay than being smashed against the shore). It did not look as though it was in a very good state of repair and there was a coastguard van nearby so maybe they were checking to make sure that it was secure and not going to be washed into the nearby boats or out to sea where it would be a danger to shipping.

Earlier in the week, on wednesday I went on one of the U3A birdie walksround Ayre Loch and the nearby coast. This walk had been posponed from 2 or 3 weeks ago because of inclement weather. In fact the day that it was postponed from turned out to be sunny and calm and Wednesday was very windy but Hey-Ho at least the rain held off until just as we got back to our cars.  There must have been shoals of small h in the bay as there were loads of gannets diving dramatically as only gannets can. We all just stood around ignoring the wind and watching them for about 15 minutes just like little children, pointing out to each other as another gannet dived and trying to see what they were catching.  That's what retirement is for. To be able to stop and watch things for no other reason than that it makes you feel good.

 
There were quite a lot of grey seals about including these two who conveniently posed on a pipe close into the shore. This pipe seems to be a favourite place for the seals. Maybe it is smoother and comfier than the rocks.
It is getting close to the seals pupping season and maybe that is why there are so many about  but having said that, they do not pup near St Mary's even though there are quite a few nice small sheltered little coves near there.
 They have started pupping down on South Ronaldsay so wh the weather improves I will go down and get some photos but I am not clambering around at the top of the cliffs in gale force winds at my age.

  I had another of my keyboard lessons on Wednesday evening at The Reel. I think that I said before that the lessons were very informal which suited me fine. Well this lesson was more informal than most . I learnt about Ivan Drever going drinking instead of queuing up at the american embassy for his visa then going home, getting a phone call from an irate promoter in the USA (who fancied him) asking where the hell he was, making up an excuse about his accompianist being inured in an accident and finally having to go over to the states by himself.
Also several other stories about people mainly from Kirkwall or Stronsay, most of whom I do not know. We also managed about 20 minutes keyboard practice.
Altogether a much more relaxing music lesson than the traditional sort. I may never learn to play a keyboard but I will enjoy myself.

Thursday was the best day of the week, although a bit cool but the air was beautifully clear and I could see the snow on the top of Ben Griam Mor near Altnaharra about 55 miles away on the scottish mainland.
There was a U3A meeting on Thursday in Kirkwall and I had to leave early to make sure that we got there as they were putting more blocks on the barrier presumably to replace the ones washes away last winter. After seeing the waves hitting the barriers later in the week I think that they may have known something.