Windy days....

A normal winter gale is battering the house again today, which reminded me of some photos I took during and after the last gale in January.  So thought I'd share them with you here.  We get dramatic skies any time of the year, but the winter ones have a special drama.  Photo above taken at the pier at about 4pm looking towards Stromness with the Hoy High light shining. Very atmospheric I think.

And a sunrise.....

With the house being so close to the shore the windows get blasted with salt carried by the wind..

Eventually it gets SO bad that one can't see what the neighbours are doing. Ha!

And so even *I* go out with a bucket of water to clean them.....

During the worst of the storm Button snuggles down on the sofa to snooze, apart from when she has to go out for her evening constitutional - whatever wind speed!

I hunker down too, usually doing something around the house, or reading, or even a jigsaw!

Oh and then the joy when the wind finally dies down and we can venture forth again.  Those first few breaths of fresh air are wonderful.  If only they could be bottled and sent to city folk!  Button of course enjoys the chance to have a wander round the garden again and check out her territory.

In the last storm my trusty, rusty wheelbarrow finally bit the dust!  Time for another one this Spring methinks!

And I get a chance to fill up the bird feeders for the wild birds.  You'll notice an absence of hens....they have been under curfew since 6th December due to the Defra Avian Flu restrictions. We are all hoping they are liberated on 28 February.

I'd been sitting on a garden bench - Button thought I shouldn't be wasting time idling away on a bench, it was time to go to the beach!  More of that in another post!!

Graemsay Burns Supper

Here we are in February and it's been a while since my last blog post.  I'm more or less over the virus but left with very low energy levels.  So I am basically focusing on working and resting!  Anyway, last weekend was yet another party weekend on Graemsay.  This time it was a Burns supper which celebrates the life of Robert Burns. Now I'm a Sassenach (of Welsh extraction) and I have to admit to not being a big fan of Burns, nor of haggis.... but .... well one can't say no to a party. Haha! Interestingly Orkney, not admitting to being "Scottish", doesn't celebrate Burns, however there are often parties around the County because, like Graemsay, folk love an excuse for a party!

Sue at Garson, on Graemsay, and her house guests from South, Mac & Carrie, organised the evening and a great night it was too.  As usual I steer well clear of anything to do with mass catering and did my bit by putting up visitors for the night.

Anyway, it was yet another successful party night on the island and everyone enjoyed themselves and here are a few photos from the evening.  Above, Mike Perkins of the Kirkwall City Pipe Band piping in the haggis carried by Sue.

The hall was full of the whole community (or those well enough to attend), and of course some visitors!

Mike, our aforementioned piper looked very dapper in his kilt.

John Budge, a good friend of the island, was making full mileage out of being sat at the table for the MC and dignitaries. All good fun!

And here is Mike again piping the haggis....

And Mac - addressing the haggis, and plunging a dagger into the heart of one of them.

After that there was the feasting of broth,  haggis, mince and clapshot (swede and potato mashed together). There was even vegetarian haggis for those of us that don't eat the proper stuff (ahem, me!). And it was followed by divine desserts such as Orkney Fudge Cheesecake and, my favourite, cranachan (a whisky trifle).  Of course there was also the whisky "gravy" to be poured over the haggis.

After all the feasting there are speeches and toasts.  Here is Andy Holinrake giving the "Address to the lassies".

And Carol giving the "Reply to the Laddies".

And onto the poems...... this one read by Mac's partner, Carrie.

And this one read by young Katie

Wee Euan also read a poem but he was very nervous and giggling to cover his nerves so I didn't want to add to that by pointing a camera at him!

Here is Krystal reading an Ode to Whisky!

And then it was onto the music, with John Budge on the accordion, Fran Holinrake on the ukulele (and fiddle), Mac on the bodhran, and Mike on the pipes.

And there was blethering (chatting)

And dancing (a bit blurry! They moved too quick!)

And here is Mike playing some tunes on the pipes

I headed home at 11.30 - I know, such a lightweight, but I gather the party went onto the wee small hours, with some folk not making it home till 9am.  Yup that's a Graemsay party night!

Some links....

Still a bit "under the weather" but getting there.  Meanwhile.... here are a couple of links

This one is a link to Love Scottish Islands and some questions I answered on Graemsay ;-)

Graemsay - Orkney's best kept secret.

And this one about my neighbour Mick, who is our local postie.  Though to be fair, he's Orkney's oldest island postie! NOT Scotland's.

The Graemsay Postman

The third in the Orkney Archaeology trilogy - for viewing outside UK

Here's the third and final episode of the Orkney Archaeology programme that focuses on the Ness of Brodgar dig.  Enjoy!

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x58qrew_britain-s-ancient-capital-secrets-of-orkney-episode-3-2017-bbc-documentary_tv

To view Orkney Archaeology programme outside the UK

Episodes 1 and 2 below.  Episode 3 is screened tonight so I can hopefully bring you that later!

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x57ryz2_britain-s-ancient-capital-secrets-of-orkney-episode-1-2017-bbc-documentary_tv


https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x581p9k_britain-s-ancient-capital-secrets-of-orkney-episode-2-2017-bbc-documentary_tv

There's been a lot of weather about...

We've had 70mph winds, rain, hail, sleet, and yes, even snow, these last few days.  The snow looked pretty for a while but hasn't stayed long.  Thankfully we are due for some calm days now. The wind really cools the house down so I prefer the calmer weather! Plus I sleep better!  I've been battling a virus the last couple of weeks (hence lack of posts), but did go out and about a bit today so here are a few photos from a slightly snowy Graemsay!

Above.... Button's response to all the weather!  She neither likes loud weather, or cold paws.... and who can blame her....

Earlier this morning (sunrise now about 8.53 am, but it takes a while to rise about East Hill on Graemsay) with the farm, Windbreck, to the right of the rising sun.

And then the sky clears a little before the next dark cloud....

Meanwhile over the Hoy Hills the weather kept changing....

An then the snow arrives .....

and clears again....

Facing North towards Stromness.....

And the Orphir hills behind Hoy High light....

Then this afternoon, as the sun sets behind the Hoy hills, over on the East side of the island.... (photos taken about 3.30pm)

The croft of Crookshouse (known as C'euks).

Some of the kye (cattle)  out in the field....

Looking over towards Orphir....

Over the rooftop of Clett to Hoy.....

And the kids made a mini snowman!! Kids are never daunted by lack of materials!

I hope to be back blogging again and responding to comments soon!

Old buildings around Sandside

I was out the other day and took some more photos of the old byres around Sandside.  I've used the DistressedFX app again for some effects.  Above old cattle stalls, with manger. You can see this was originally a dwelling house, with the chimney clearly visible.  A house would be built and when it was beyond repair, or a larger one needed, the old one became byres.

Below a blocked off doorway between byres.

Multiple changes have gone on with this wall!

Old cattle stalls

A hole in a door! I love the staples along the top, and the hinge...rusting but still holding.

The recess in the wall may have been part of the dwelling house - or it may just be as a result of the alterations.  These recesses appear higher up in some old houses - they were shelves to keep jugs of water (or beer!) on.  The channels in the floor are as a result of the building being converted to a byre...

This is inside an old barn, which at one time was a mill with a wheel powered by water outside.

More cattle stalls....

There is a fantastic new book out by Keith Allardyce, with stories by Tom Muir - "Silent : a portrait of deserted Orkney Buildings".  I treated myself to a copy for Christmas.

There is an old building from Graemsay in it too - Cott of School....