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Saturday 27 December 2014

Christmas Day at Sandside



The weather on Graemsay was just lovely. Chilly but NO WIND! A wee bit icy but not too bad, and there was some sunshine too.  What more could a girl ask for?  So Button and I took our usual walk down to the coral beach.

I choose to spend Christmas on my own, preferring to visit family and friends South in the summer months when travel is easier and the weather makes it a better time to be out and about.  I'm a fairly solitary person really. Happy living on my own, on a wee island off the North coast of Scotland!  And given I work from home too you can see I'm not the most social of people.  I think I'm turning into the mad cat lady (or maybe that happened some time ago! Ha!).

Anyway, back to our wander along the shore....

Hail showers over Hoy.....


But up at the Manse the smoke from the fire is drifting quietly Westwards....


Button was checking the coast was clear from the conservatory roof


Before wandering down the shore with me.  She was careful not to get wet paws though.....


Then she went off to do a little hunting for Christmas lunch....


There were huge piles of seaweed all along the shore, thrown up by the recent storms...


And the sun was low over Windbreck....


Stromness looking peaceful in the sun....


And all quiet at Sandside....


And the waves so gentle at the old pier at Sandside.


Then it was home to eat lots of goodies, drink a glass of mulled wine or two and relax reading some good books and watching some TV.  There were phone calls with friends south, and video link ups with family too.  It was my kind of peaceful relaxing Christmas!  Hope you all had a good time too.


And here is a short (30 second) film of the waves down at the coral beach on Christmas Day.  Excuse the slight wobble..... ahem.... the mulled wine was good!


18 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Yes it was a lovely day. Thanks for taking the time to comment, and welcome to my blog :-)

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  2. Enjoyed your video, good to see the sea coming in without having to travel - I could almost smell the saltiness of the air. Tell me will you collect the seaweed for your garden ?

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    1. Oh yes some of the seaweed gets spread on the veg patch in particular!

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  3. A lovely way to spend your day. Peace, quiet, solitude (almost, eh Button?) The video is so nice. It felt like I was standing right there, except I am probably warmer than you.

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    1. Hahaha yes it was a wee bit chilly, but not as cold as when the wind blows!

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  4. I think I am like you, Sian- I crave peace and quiet and our normal routines when the house has guests staying. I can't wait to get back to normal! Your day sounded lovely. Do you have snow now? CT.

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    1. No snow here - we're protected by the Gulf Stream in Orkney so winters are wet and windy. Snow and frost are unusual - though I do love a cold frosty morning, now and again! I like visitors for a short time, but I think I'm mostly a solitary person :-)

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  5. Sounds like a lovely, peaceful day. I enjoyed the photos of your island!

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    1. Thank you, and thanks for taking time to comment. :-)

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  6. What a beautiful part of the world that you live in, so peaceful! I love seeing your photos.

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    1. Thank you! ANd thanks for stopping by to comment :-)

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  7. What a peaceful way to spend your time. The water, rocks, cat and hills make for a pretty scene.

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  8. the light is so beautiful , you had an very nice christmas day , thanks for sharing , cheers from besançon:)

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  9. I always enjoy your walks Sian. Sometimes when I am walking on the Nova Scotia shore I imagine you strolling the shore over on your lil' island and the ocean that connects us.

    Just checked on line to see how big your coastal tides are and they are similar to ours on the Atlantic shore.

    BTW I also collect seaweed to spread on my garden.

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    1. I'll have to wave - I doubt there's much between the coast of Graemsay and Nova Scotia :-)

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