Above is a benign sky with a gentle Winter sunset behind the hills of Hoy. The last couple of days have been wonderful. NO wind, not even a breeze. A rain shower today with rain falling vertically. I'd forgotten it could do that! I have got used to rain spitting horizontally through keyholes, and drenching mean like a bucket of cold water thrown over me....... so I made the most of the calmer weather (wind getting up already for next gale) and went for a wander around the shore. Yes it's the same bit of shore as always - there is a reason for this....well two reasons.... 1) - Button likes to come for a walk and I'm loathe to take her too far from home ground and 2) - I'm lazy ;-)
The light at this time of year can be very "flat" and blue/grey......
The waves have been throwing these boulders around like toys....
Button warily regards the waves rushing in.....
The old pier has taken a battering too....
An old creel for catching partans (crabs) has been washed up on the shore....
Stromness in the distance.... shells and coral strewn along the shore.....
The waves washing over the end of the old Sandside pier....
White water off the pier....
Teetering on the brink!
A black and white photo of a black and white cat! (Button of course!)
Buildings about to tumble onto the shore....
This ruined croft house really IS teetering on the brink!
Ah there's that old creel again.....
Remains of the old wooden boat that was burned on the shore last year....
Old bales, old buildings, old pier....
One of the many sparrows around the garden.....
Buds on the willow trees just waiting for Spring!
And the girls enjoying the grass in the garden! I let everything die back in the garden in winter. I rarely even go in there myself except to put food out for the wild birds. Everything takes a battering from the salt spray, sand and wind that it seems cruel to try and grow plants for winter! So I stick to perennials or hardy shrubs and everything dies back for Winter ready to grow anew in Spring. But the hens get shelter from the wind in here so they love rootling about among the dead leaves, and grass.
And one hen has started laying again. Yes! Maybe Spring is not too far away...?
A few more gales and hard blows and the old place will be spread on the shore. So sad. I hope your hen is right, and that Spring is not too far away. I'm fed up with winter already. All the best to you and that most handsome Buttons.
ReplyDeleteOh Sian I just love your photos...there is a poignancy to them...a quietude that really speaks to me. Your lovely Island is so amazing....
ReplyDeleteButtons of course is adorable as usual...she is a very phtotgenic cat...
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue