Above is the field behind the house, looking over an old ruined house towards Stromness. Love the huge cloud hovering over the landscape, like a giant puff-ball space ship, reminiscent of the sci-fi films!
Yesterday it looked as if Orkney had been dusted with icing sugar ready for Christmas. So pretty. Unfortunately it was also treacherously icy underfoot so I didn't venture far.
Now I know many of you live in countries used to several feet of ice and snow for most of the winter. But the UK rarely sees more than a few inches of snow and that doesn't usually last long. As I've mentioned before, Orkney is sheltered by the Gulf Stream so we rarely get frost and very little snow (unlike the Highlands of Scotland which eagerly await several feet of snow for the ski-season). Consequently we don't have massive snow ploughs, or chains on our car wheels. Instead we have gritting lorries for the roads and for the most part slither and slide on the pavements. And because of spending cuts by the local council, there is LESS gritting this year so even the roads are proving more hazardous than usual. So I'm staying at home when it's really icy!
Graemsay is known as the "green isle" and it's really funny to see it very green while the West Mainland of Orkney has a light covering of snow. You can clearly see the difference in this photo. On the left is Graemsay, on the right - the West Mainland!
The chickens of course are delighted everywhere is still green!
Meanwhile Button is still in search of "Owl" so she can sail away in her pea-green boat. Um... I have some bad news for you Button, this is NOT Owl!
A neighbour has some sheep in my field. They are probably happy the snow has kept off here too!
As you can see the Hoy Hills have had a thorough dusting of snow....
The Stromness Golf Course near the shore is unlikely to see much activity .....though to be a golfer in Orkney you have to be pretty hardy (or insane!) anyway....
And the little town of Stromness is pulling the hills around her shoulders to keep warm......
But the sun paints the clouds a rosy pink at sunset and tomorrow is another day....
Oh gorgeous, Sian! Not a flake of snow with us yet though other areas haven't been so lucky. I love the photos, especially the one of the hens on the windowsill. :-) Stay safe and warm.
ReplyDeleteThe hens are getting really cheeky (well there are two hens and two cockerels in the photo). Hope the snow steers clear of you - it's pretty to look at but after a while it gets tiresome!
Deleteits amazing to see the differences between east and west.i've never seen "real" snow,may bee some day:)
ReplyDeleteThe novelty of real snow does wear off after a while. I love it for the first day. It brings with it a wonderful softening of the landscape and often with thick snow there is a lovely silence too. But I'm not keen on slippery surfaces the ice brings!
Deletebeautiful serie , i like the first one , the sky is amazing and i like the chickens at the window ! :)
ReplyDeleteThe top one is my favourite. I just live the huge cloud! It really makes the landscape look sooo small.
DeleteSuch beautiful photographs. Love your chickens! Linda xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda! I love photographing the landscape here, as long s the weather lets me get out that is! LOL!. Yes my chickens are a hoot aren't they?
DeleteThe landscape here is just so stunning. Whatever the weather!
ReplyDeleteThe scenery there is incredible Sian. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I always imagined all the Scottish islands were covered in snow for months on end in the winter! Geography never was my strong point.
ReplyDelete