A light dusting of snow...

Another busy week but thought I'd share these pictures with you. A light dusting of snow each day for the last couple of days. Disappears once the sun has been on it a while. Ooooh I love the warmth I feel in the sun again now!

Snow on the beach!

And the lambs keep coming....

Sadly the old cockerel died this morning. He'd been unwell for a couple of days. I kept putting him in a hay lined nesting box but he kept getting out to sit with his "girls".  Found him "asleep" this morning at the feet of his girls. They, of course, were quite unconcerned and just wanted their breakfast when I went in. Poor old fella.

Pier Arts Exhibition....

Well someone is messing with time again - it's speeded up!  A whole week since I last posted...how did that happen?  The Walrus has left our shores, a pod of Orca whales were spotted between Graemsay and the island of Hoy....and it snowed... yes Winter has returned. To be expected but unwelcome in THIS house!

Anyway, I realised I hadn't shared some of the photos I took of the latest Pier Arts exhibition in Stromness. This exhibition is of work by Orkney's Arts Graduates from 2011 to 2012. Students who are from Orkney and have been working on art degrees at Universities around Scotland.  I went to this exhibition with Leslye Budge of Longhope, Hoy, also an artist. I loved getting her insight into the process and the work these young artists have put together.  So - here are a selection. Unfortunately I managed to mislay my notes on who did what which is outrageous for the artists....sorry!  But I'm sure you will agree it's a magnificent display from a very talented bunch.  I treated myself to a piece of jewellry by Marion Foulis. No photos as the glass reflected the lights too much and didn't do justice. But take a look at her blog.

These paws had a slightly sinister feel to them....not sure why....

Such a range of different media were used.  This was one of my favourites - partially worked on a 3D printer. Now THAT blows my mind!

These photos were part of artwork submitted by a local artist AND Musician.  Hmm think her name is Louise Bichan









I loved these designs, particularly the one on the left - and no I don't have the figure for it!

These boxes were made individually and contain pottery with old photographs and mementos embedded.










I love these fabrics, delicate leaves and tracery on the fabric

And this sculpture was also one of my favourites. Very organic. And there were accompanying photos of these sculptures placed in the landscape.

Meanwhile upstairs there was an exhibition of work from the local primary schools, called the "Peedie Pier" (peedie means small in Orcadian).  Again there was a great display and I'm sure some of these kids will be exhibiting "downstairs" in the future.

I love the gallery space. Upstairs are the permanent exhibits, a large number are from Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and their group.  This one shows the gallery off - lots of glimpses through the gallery to draw the eye and the feet! The sculpture in the case is unmistakably a Barbara Hepworth.....

A Walrus in Orkney????

Yes! Apparently..... it's on one of the more Northerly of the Orkney islands, North Ronaldsay.  First one in over 100 years - they are not normally this far South.  This one looks like a young male and appears healthy. Some photos are available here (North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory Blog)

As Lewis Carroll wrote in "The Walrus and the Carpenter"...

"The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things, of shoes and ships and ceiling wax, of cabbages and kings, of why the sea is boiling hot, and whether pigs have wings."

Aye well, the folk of Orkney are talking about a walrus at the moment!

More signs of Spring....

The weather continues to be extraordinarily calm and quiet with sunshine and there is warmth in the sun!  Time to take a look at the garden which is abandoned over the winter. Lots of tidying up to do and it was lovely to start digging the gorgeous black earth again.  As you can see, the hens enjoyed this further sign of Spring too!

Meanwhile Button looks on at a safe distance, supervising the work....

It's still many weeks before I can think of planting seeds. In Orkney it's not wise to start planting much before the end of April.  But a girl can dream... and I've been buying veggie seeds in preparation....

The miniature iris/crocus are flowering under the shelter of the willow trees....

And sheep are being moved .  Mum and daughter leading the way for the flock (while Dad and younger brother take up the rear in the car!!!!). And in the distance farm tractors continue with muck spreading...

We make the best of the weather when it's fine. It could be snowing next week!  But the days are definitely getting longer with sunrise at 07.05 and sunset at 17.41. And at the end of March the clocks spring forward and we get the lighter early evenings too. One of my favourite times!!

We all love SUNSHINE

I think this has been the best "February" for years!  OK yes we've had some gales, but we expect those in February.  We've also had some glorious weather, beautiful, mystical misty days, and SUNSHINE! It's amazing how it lifts the mood. I already feel I have more energy.

Button, of course, adores the sun (as you can see in the picture above).  Her snoozing spots vary throughout the day and follow the pattern of the sun through the house.  Till the sun sets and the moon rises and she becomes a Warrior cat and is out hunting!  This week with the full moon and clear skies she has been in her element. Fortunately (so far) no presents left for me......

And lambing has started!! These twins were a little shy......

A walk on the beach was called for yesterday to make the most of the stillness and sunshine.  I love the variety of seaweed along the shore.

And the shells too among the coral sand.... (yes I have a speck of dust on the lens of the camera...sigh... I need my camera guru to help sort this out....).

Meanwhile over in Stromness, barges are queueing up as dredging begins for the new pier which is being built for the "renewable" industry. Lots of research and development going on around Orkney waters into wind, tidal and wave energy. Lots of windmills appearing around Orkney (quite controversial in this low lying landscape) and wave and tidal power, though still in their infancy, are also appearing around the shore.

Ness of Brodgar Dig

For those of you outside the UK who may have missed all the publicity regarding the Ness of Brodgar archaeological dig, here is a treat for you. A short clip was shown on the PBS network, with an interview with Nick Card (leader of the dig) while on a lecture tour in the US.

Hopefully clicking on THIS shows it!

Meanwhile the annual dig begins again in mid-July and members of the public can wander up and watch the excavations or join a tour and hear all about it until about mid-August.

Signs of Spring.....

The photo above was taken by my neighbour, Sue Anderson, of Garson. It's a really beautiful, ethereal photo and somewhere in there, I swear, is a Unicorn!

My favourite season is Spring. It holds so much promise and hope for the year to come. I eagerly search for the first signs - it's much later in Orkney than further South in the UK. So it was a delight to spot these about to flower among the willow trees outside my house (dwarf narcissus).

And the willow trees have the gorgeous fluffy buds that protect the delicate leaves within....

And of course Button wants to get in on the act!

And she enjoys a little sunbathing on the flagstones outside the front door. Still a bit on the cool side at this time of year, but she doesn't seem to mind.

And after a wander in the warming sun, nothing like coming home to tea and home baked scones!