A trip "up West"....

Ah now in my younger days a trip "up West" meant hopping onto the train for a 30 minute train journey to the West End of London.  Now it means a wander along the West coast of the Orkney Mainland.

Yesterday was grey with a flat light (no that's not a new coffee).  But I met up with G for - er - coffee and teacake before setting off to play with cameras.

Yesnaby is one of my favourite places. Rugged old Sandstone cliffs with stunning views across land, sea and islands. On a clear day you can see the North coast of Scotland, and it was faintly visible in the distance, but not good enough for a photo.

Some of the cliffs slope alarmingly....

A pool as still as glass...

Lovely little plants colonising some steps.

The building on the sky line is the remains of a WWII building which formed part of the defense of the coastline.

I love the way the sea has carved out the landscape, and each winter adds to the sculptural effect.

Looking towards Kitchener's Memorial and Marwick Head

And the view in the other directiion looks towards Hoy (Graemsay is just round the corner!). You can just see the "Old Man of Hoy" peaking round the corner to the right.

The "Old Man" looking rather like a Henry Moore sculpture...

There was a large dog having a fantastic time loping along the pathway across from where we were....

G. taking a photo of Hoy....

Looking "far out West" to Canada! I love the patterns on the sea made by the current, and they are echoed in the clouds in the sky.

Further along the coastal path is a small sea stack called "Yesnaby Castle" - you can just see the top of it poking above the cliffs.

The sea turns turquoise in places....

On top of the hill we were standing on was a small cairn, walkers over time had laid a stone or two to mark the spot.

Inside it's hollow with stones lying higgeldy-piggeldy....

And looking back across the farming landscape....

Bales of straw lying in the field.....

Parallel lines across the field....

Splashes of colour on a grey day.... a lone sea pink among the dead-heads...

Seaweed on the shore, rocks and plants long over from summer.

We came across some wee Turnstones preening themselves.

And we also found some "magic mushrooms" on our way back to the car, but we left those well alone!

I hope you enjoyed your trip "Up West"!

Shipping livestock.....(post not suitable for vegetarians!)

Discussions at the pierhead

It's a farming community and as part of that livestock has to be shipped on and off the island. Today both were happening, and at the same time as a delegation from the local council came out to discuss potential pier improvements with the community.

The old joke - there's a hole on the pier - a man is looking into it.... More discussions on the pier.  Members of the community explaining how we do things around here....

And putting up the gates for shipping of the cattle....

And seeing how it feels to be in the pen!

Livestock arriving.  Rams bought from the sale at the Orkney Auction Mart yesterday arrive on the island for the various farms and crofts.  Looking good boys!

Then time to get the kye (cattle) on board.  These are young stock from last year that will be sold on to be grazed for the winter.

And into the pens on the boat....

The meeting went well, we all adjourned to the hall to discuss matters.  More information needed and some decisions to make.  But it was good that we were able to share opinions.

Another sunset....

Well it's the 15th October and it's still warm, no rain, NO wind.... today was so calm and beautiful. I took a walk along the shore at sunset, which is just after 6pm now.  The tide was very low and not even a ripple of a wave.

I love the reflections on the water, and the stillness in the air.

I could almost walk to Stromness the tide was so far out!  Some smoke is drifting across the harbour in the town....

It cools down quickly in the evening, but is still very mild. I just have the heating on for an hour in the morning so far.

On the way back from our walk we picked up a friend.... Pecky Hen.... Button has a great deal of respect for Pecky Hen and was determined to make haste to get home!  She had been off to the hen house to roost with the others but thought there might be extra food if she followed me.  She's also a Greedy Pecky Hen!  She is the one who flies up onto my arm if I'm carrying a saucepan of scraps.  If I don't put the food down quickly enough she nips me on the hand!  Not exactly my favourite hen, but she IS a character, for sure.  AND a good mother to her chicks.

Autumnal sunsets.....

The days are getting shorter now.  Sunset is about 6.15 pm compared to nearer midnight in midsummer!  Arrrgh!  Ah well it is what it is.  The sun has moved round now and getting ready to nestle behind the Hoy hills for the winter.  There were some gentle sunsets this last week and here are a few photos from them....

The sun now dips below the horizon just over the croft of Ramray

And like many folk in the highland and islands and other rural areas, the approach of Winter means the time to stock up on supplies.  The straw was for a neighbouring farmer, but the pallet of goodies was for me - pellets for the hens and tins of cat food for Charlie in the Barn.  I already have the freezer and store cupboard in order for the winter.  Batteries for torches and radio. Oh yes and don't worry, there is PLENTY of food in the cupboard for Button too!

A walk with Button

It's been a while since Button and I went for a wander on the beach.  So one day this week when it was warm and sunny (amazing for October!) we set off down the main road on Graemsay.

And onto the old stone pier at Sandside.  Cat on a mission....

You have to look REALLY closely to spot Button in this one.  She's hanging over the edge, to the left of the dead dock leaves!  The starlings often nest in the gaps in the pier and she dreams of getting them.  I have nightmares she'll fall over the edge...

But now onto the lovely beach of coral sand and shells....

Button loves the sand, not so keen on the sharp shells on her soft paws...

I'm being to slow, apparently..... She talks to me the whole time we are on the beach. It's quite funny!

Ah something of interest to A Cat has been spotted... probably a birdie....

She got a little bored while I was pottering around looking at shells and rocks, and too a wee rest in the shade....

OK, ready?? Time to move...

Oh wait, Button, look at that view!!

And there is the "other" Graemsay lighthouse - Hoy Low, peeping over the hill....

Hmmm cats are seldom interested in "scenery"....

And here is Hoy High, over the top of the grasses and sow thistles growing on the "cliff".

And a pebble that has been colonised by the merl (cold water coral), nestling in among the rocks on the shore.

And across Hoy Sound is the wee town of Stromness

And Stromness Harbour

An old and rusting binder...or is it a reaper?

Button and daisies....

Now she's coming to chivvy me along...too much hanging about taking photos

Hmm she got a bit bored and set off hunting for mice.....

While I just sit and admire the view..... cow parsley skeletons against the blue calm sea. Days to treasure as Winter approaches....