Stormy days!

Graemsay is still here, we didn't get overwhelmed by the waves! Phew! That was some storm. Winds over 80mph, a gust of over 113 mph recorded just along the coast. Sunday night was the worst, and Monday was quite "blowy" too.  I didn't venture further than the barn and hen house to feed Charlie (barn cat) and hens respectively. It was relatively sheltered near the hen house so they were pottering about outside a bit, but not venturing far - sensible birds!

The photo above is of the Graemsay ferry - um - it was taking the kids to school! Yes they still went! We are relatively protected from the Atlantic waves, being sheltered by Hoy and West Mainland at the entrance to Scapa Flow. And in a Westerly our pier is also relatively protected. Anyway folk will pay good money to ride on something like this at a fairground ;-)  They breed 'em tough in Orkney. All the kids were fine and got home safely (there are contingency plans in place if the boat is cancelled once the children are at school).

These photos were taken by Sean Lewis, cameraman and sound engineer, who lives out at Birsay on the Orkney Mainland.  They really show the power of the natural environment. These cliffs are REAL cliffs that are being topped by the waves! So, many thanks to Sean for allowing me to share these great photos with you all. (Click on them to see bigger images).

The gull in this powerful shot really gives perspective.

Hmmm surf's up!

Cliffs out at Birsay

Glad I wasn't atop these cliffs!

Thankfully things have calmed down today. It's eerily calm and quiet. A lovely respite from the wailing banshee that has been living outside my bedroom window for the last few days.  And Button is delighted to be able to go ahunting again.  Trust me, you do NOT want to share a house with a cat with cabin fever....

The island phones are finally restored too, internet access was largely OK but a bit flaky so I'm glad that is OK again.

More weather approaching....

Just in case I'm "offline" for a few days..... current weather forecast for tomorrow from the Orcadian website is:  "Early rain clearing to frequent blustery showers by morning, these heavy with a mix of rain, hail or sleet with the chance of thunder. Severe F9 or storm F10 W’ly winds, possibly violent storm F11 later with gusts to 80mph. Winds veering WNW’ly and easing a little overnight, but remaining very gusty."

Currently blustery with hail showers. Phones off and power fluctuations..... retreating under duvet again!  Stay safe and warm everyone!

A rising moon.....

I love the moon, and with the Orkney landscape I get to see it rising, setting and sinking throughout the year. I love the moonlight that spills through my bedroom window and watching it glimmer on the sea in the bay. Button, of course, loves a "Hunter's Moon" and often sets trotting off out the door for a hunting spree. These photos are a little out of focus but I love the way the moon "sits" upon the hill before rising. As if taking a rest in her nightly journey!

You can imagine that the clouds could set into the shape of a face and maybe that is where "The Man in the Moon" stories began.... but really.... everyone knows the moon is female :-)

And there she is, on her way again...

Sad News

The island was saddened to hear of the death of John Procter of Windywalls yesterday morning after a long illness.  An island funeral is expected to be held next Friday.

Winter at the Ring of Brodgar

I've spoken about the Ring of Brodgar many times - it's one of my favourite places. A neolithic stone circle on the Orkney Mainland just outside Stromness, it's often busy with folk and coach trips in the summer. Today it was lovely to walk among the stones in utter isolation. Then a walk down to the loch and some moody photos of the Hoy hills.....

The heather brown and lifeless but ready to grow anew once the warmth of the sun returns.

Modern graffiti on old stones....

I love the lichens on the stone

After all the rain it's very boggy underfoot.... a good opportunity to wear my new wellies (rubber boots), purchased in a winter sale. These are kiddies boots bought because the smiley faces are so cheerful - I swear the smiles get broader the more puddles they greet.

The sheep in a nearby field keep a watchful eye as I walk down to the shore of the loch

The Hoy hills make a wonderful backdrop

More sheep - their field is a little waterlogged too...

Time to watch some of the many swans on the loch before heading home again....

A lovely quiet interlude after the gales of recent days. A chance to "recharge my battery" as the next weather front approaches!

A winter storm....

Yesterday the wind raged, and a storm surge tide tore at the dunes along the shoreline, scattering seaweed and stones onto the road.  For hours the wind screamed like a banshee trying to gain entry to the house. It spat rain through locks, rattled windows and drain pipes and howled down the chimneys.

Button and I huddled close together in bed, with the radio and a night-light for comfort. The supernatural force seemingly stronger in the dense black of the night. Voices and music coming through the radio from Manchester, far south, away from the storm, bringing comfort during the sleepless hours.

The old stone house turned "it's shoulder to the wind", standing strong. It had weathered many storms and I knew this would be no different. Just human weakness making me anxious in the dark hours.

Gradually light dawns and the roar of the wind, though strong, holds less fear for me know. I can watch the storm with awe. The waves crashing over the shore, where they would gently lap at the sand and stones.

Hens sheltering among the skeleton bushes in the lea of the wind, scratching for grubs. Once the storm eases I venture out, muffled and mittened, bracing against the wind.  Extra rations for them and the barn cat. I'm not coming out again today..... and still the wind roars.

The local news with tales of flood and road closures. No ferry today so children at home.  Neighbours phone "Are you OK?". Friendly voices with reassurance.  Time to work. The roar of the wind subsides and Button longs to be outdoors, running to the shelter of the trees. But even for her it is too wild and my Orkney cat returns to the warmth of her bed. I gain comfort from a cup of tea.  Soon the wind tires and slips away, maybe it too is sleeping in a bed..... waiting to return.....

Graemsay Burns Supper

A great tradition in Scotland (and around the world it would seem) is to hold Burns Night Suppers on 25th January, which is the birthday of Rabbie Burns, known as The Bard in Scotland. He wrote many poems to his many loves, and lyrics to songs too - Auld Lang Syne being one of them! A Burns "Supper" is not a tradition in Orkney, however, as Orcadians do not consider themselves Scottish having been annexed to Scotland a mere 400 years ago as payment of a debt from the Norwegian King to the Scottish King....sigh....

And as most of the residents on Graemsay are either Orcadian or English, with just two Scots, we have never had a Burns Night on the island.  However a new neighbour, Sue and some of her friends from the South of England were keen to hold a party.  And, as one of our Orcadian musicians said - they might not celebrate Burns Night but an Orcadian will drink whisky with anyone!!

Sue did a magnificent job, making a delicious scotch broth (with lamb), cooking two haggis made by the Stromness Butcher, Fletts, served with mince and clapshot (neeps (turnips/swede and potatoes mashed together with lots of butter and milk - yum!). Cathy (originally from North Ronaldsay in the North of Orkney) made the clapshot - oooh it's the food of the gods!  LOTS of butter must go into it as it's lovely and creamy and smooth.  Dessert was a non-traditional chocolate trifle.  And of course a lot of whisky flowed.  That was the meal - but the night is not a Burns night with lots of ceremony and Odes.... so here are some pictures to illustrate!

First, when everyone is seated the Welcome was offered by Mac and the quaich (filled with whisky of course) was passed round to those assembled.

Before the meal begins the Selkirk Grace, is read. This time beautifully read by young Becky.

Then the haggis is piped in....... Ian MacDonald from the Stromness Pipe Band kindly came to the island to do the honours.

The Haggis follows the pipes, carried by Sue. We all pay due reverence to the Haggis....

This is placed before the Master of Ceremonies (Mac) who then addresses the Haggis.  And the poor Haggis is ceremoniously stabbed!

Dinner is served and much Whisky quaffed during toasts and even poured over the Haggis as "gravy"!

Time then for the Toast to the beautiful lasses! Proposed with humour by young Joe

And the men were upstanding to toast the lasses.....

There was then the ladies "response to the handsome escorts" proposed by Irene (she was sitting next to me so no photo!!).  Various other toasts and responses were proposed (each with a glug of whisky!).

An Odes were read (here's Mac reading one)

It was time then to clear the tables and let the music and dancing begin! Once again we were delighted that Leslye and John Budge could join us for the evening. John providing music, song and stories, accompanied by Leslye on the Bodhran

There was the Graemsay version of Strip the Willow  Young and old take part in this. The young need to learn the traditions too!

Irene Mathieson and John sang "Ae Fond Kiss" as a duet - another Burns favourite

And Irene played some tunes on her guitar - including my favourite "Lonely Scapa Flow".

There was more dancing..... not quite the speed of the whirling dervishes but nearly!

More pipes were played

Ummm notice the wee girl in pink...... not a fan of the pipes then ;-)

More songs were sung - with the kids joining in of course

And maybe the next generation of Graemsay musicians??

As you can see a great night was had by all!  The Graemsay folk know how to party and Sue did a great job of providing a wonderful Burns Supper!  There were quite a few sore heads the next morning and the island has been fairly quiet this weekend. I had a couple of wee drams but as I had to get the visitors to the boat the next day (I usually put up the musicians and guests when I can) I didn't "overdo" it! Though thankfully John & Leslye know not to stand on ceremony in my kitchen. :-)