Sunrise, Sunset...

...but no eclipse.....  I've been watching BBC TV's Stargazing Live programmes this week.  So yes I knew all about today's eclipse of the sun by the moon AND it was at a reasonable time (around 9am), but I didn't get myself set up to watch/film it.  So you will have to look here for photos (or on the BBC website above).

There was, however, a beautiful sunrise and cloud effect (see above), followed by a lovely sunset (see below). At this time of year I can take the sunrise AND sunset out of the same window.  Today sunrise was at 0904 in Orkney, and sunset was at 1526. But s-l-o-w-l-y the days will lengthen now. Yippee!!

Autumn rainbow at sunrise

Sunday morning was definitely the calm before the storm.  I'm not a morning person so was rather sleepily making a cup of tea at 8.30am on Sunday morning and thought the light outside looked interesting.  Fortunately I had my camera to hand and took these photos, though they don't really capture the magic of the moment.  I stood at the end of the drive watching the sun rise behind the Orphir hills and a double rainbow emerge over the Hoy Hills, stretching over to Stromness.  I should have walked further up the road to get better shots, but I was in my pyjamas at the time and as it was Button was standing in the doorway yelling "Have you no *shame* woman!".  I did get indoors before the shower of rain came though, and oooh that was one of the best cups of tea I've tasted!

The coos in the field opposite the house were clearly also somewhat bemused at seeing me in my pyjams...

SunRISE!

These photos were taken at 3.45 A.M. on Monday morning..... the one above by me, and the one below by Irene of Breckan. Now, you may ask, why were we both up and about at this time of the morning? Indeed we were asking ourselves the very same question. The answer, of course, is entirely due to our feline friends. Irene's young kitten Squeak is an early riser, and Button decided to announce she had provided breakfast for herself. Irene spend some time entertaining Squeak, while I spent some time chasing Button around the kitchen as she wouldn't drop her "breakfast" for me to rescue. However I did find that breakfast was well and truly dead so I opened the door and out she shot with it (she's learned that once I get my hands on it I *do not share*!). While she tucked into her breakfast, I was sufficiently awake enough by now to realise what a beautiful sunrise was revealing itself. I'm sure it got even more beautiful but I resisted the temptation to watch and went back to bed!!

So - photo below is taken from Breckan on Graemsay looking towards Stromness.

Sunrise

Firstly I want to say Hallo to children at Michelsberg Grammar School in Geislingen. One of the classes wrote to me because in their English class they are learning about the Orkney islands and came across my blog. It was a lovely surprise to receive their letters.

The days are slowly getting longer. Thankfully it is getting a little lighter in the morning. Sunrise is now at 0839am, and sunset at 1609. I was at the pier waiting for the boat earlier this week and took these pictures of "dawn breaking" at 8.15!

The weather has been changeable here but thankfully milder with no snow or ice. But we had strong winds during the week so I haven't been out much and therefore not much else to say today!

Below is Hoy High lighthouse with the lights of Stromness in the background. OK I got some pole thingy in the way of the lighthouse but it was cold and I was barely awake.....