Snow (Part 1)

 

Sandside. Photo Credit Mick Braddock

We so rarely get any significant snow falls on Graemsay.  And when I say "significant" it's all relative and I mean about an inch (pauses while those of you used to living in colder climes with several feet of snow for months get your breath back from laughing....).  But as Orkney is in the Gulf Stream we tend to have mild winters which are characterised by wet and windy weather (which I am not fond of..). But this year for two or three weeks now we have had hard frosts and snow showers.  Then a couple of days ago a proper covering of snow.  

My neighbour and her children were actually able to go sledging.  What is remarkable about this is the children - er young people - are now teenagers and the last time they went sledging they were pre-school age!

Anyway here are a few photos of Graemsay in the snow..... So above - looking up the lighthouse road to Sandside with the Hoy Hills behind (photo credit Mick Braddock).

Incoming snow! I'm on the way to feed the hens.... porridge, pasta, apples as well as their usual hen pellets, corn and wheat mix.

I sheltered in the henny house while the blizzard raged!  Sheep seemed unconcerned.....

Back indoors and Button decided she needed to venture forth.  Completely unimpressed by white stuff....

But needs must and all that....

There she goes into the trees!

She was unimpressed that I hadn't cleared the snow from the cat flap for her return....

The landscape did look so pretty though....

Huge banks of snow clouds....

And perfect blue skies the next.... this was about 10.30 am....

Snow clouds over Stromness on the Orkney Mainland

You can tell which way the wind was blowing. Hahaha!  Definitely an Easterly....

Time for a snow angel...... watched by several curious sheep who probably just wanted me to get up and feed them their sheep nuts! (Photo credit to neighbour Mick Braddock)

And a short (5 sec) video of it snowing!  Hoy High lighthouse in the background, sheep in the foreground (in case you wondered).....  

More photos in the next post when you have warmed up again...

Big skies and rainbows....

 

The last couple of weeks have brought cold weather, snow  flurries, frosts, and rainbows!  Here are a few photos taken recently.  I'm not out and about much as it's far too cold - I prefer to stay cosy indoors!  Just venturing forth to feed the hens who are still incarcerated in their own lockdown due to government regulations to protect against avian flu.  No cases in Orkney recently but lockdown for poultry is across the whole of the UK.

Meanwhile in Orkney the covid19 vaccinations have been moving apace with mass vaccinations this weekend and next for different age groups, plus appointments given in various parishes, and on the isles. Currently open to all over 70s and those who are deemed clinically vulnerable of serious illness due to covid (that's me then...).  Waiting for my vaccination turn but it should be within the next couple of weeks.

Still one or two cases a week in Orkney but we are still in Level 3 with non-essential shops still trading and cafes open, though pubs are shut.

Anyway - back to big skies with and without rainbows.... I love the reflection of the rainbow in the water.... and the strategically placed sheep!

The "main road" on Graemsay

Incoming snow showers....

And then blue skies again.....

Big sky with sheep.... oh and Hoy High lighthouse....

Showers over Hoy....

That rainbow again.....

And a close up of the sheep in my field (belonging to a neighbour).

The multi coloured one is a Zwartbles mix......

The small herd of Belted Galloways being moved to new pasture. I hid in the shed to take this as there was a bull among them!

Sunrising and highlighting the landscape......

And on still nights the lights from the wee town of Stromness stretch across to the Graemsay shore.

And Hoy High lighthouse in the night with the lights of houses dotted along the Orphir countryside twinkling like stars.

Sadly no settling snow so no pretty picture book photos!  Though as I type it is yet again snowing.... but wet stuff so unlikely to settle (famous last words!).

Sailing home from Stromness.....

 

Hmmm bit of a delay posting the return journey from a week or so ago.  Motivation deserted me, something familiar to many folk in these strange times I'm sure.  Anyway got round to it eventually!  In Covid news - a few more cases recently in Orkney. Largely those coming back to the islands (workers) and their contacts.  So as yet no real community spread.  Vaccinations are continuing with most over 80s vaccinated and the over 70's will start shortly.  Vaccinations centres will be in Kirkwall, Stromness and a couple of other parishes.  Those on the isles have resident gps/nurses who will vaccinate residents.  We don't have any health professionals on the island but something will be sorted so that we can hopefully have our vaccines here rather than travelling for them!  Hope everyone is well and safe.

Right - photos.... above leaving the Hoy pier.....

Sailing to Burra Sound via Hoy Low lighthouse, the other lighthouse on Graemsay.

 You can see the silhouette of the WWII camp along the shore.  This made up part of the defence to Scapa Flow, with a camp on Hoy, one here and another much larger one over on the outskirts of Stromness.

Looking back to Stromness on the right and the tip of Hoy on the left...

The old kirk on Graemsay and the kirkyard which is till in use....

The sleeping brontosaurus of Hoy, with the green fields around its feet.

Saily past the North side Graemsay - house is Clett with some old ruins of croft houses

Scarratain - with original turf roof....

And heading home to the Graemsay pier.....

Hope you enjoyed your virtual sail back to Graemsay!

Sailing to Stromness....

 

Hoy High light and Graemsay 

Last week I had to make a quick visit to Stromness for a routine blood test at the local Health Centre.  I got the first boat in the morning (08.10) and returned on the 10am sailing so I wasn't there long! Not even chance for a takeaway coffee from my favourite cafe (Julia's). All covid protections are in place in Orkney and I felt quite safe, both sailing on the ferry, and at the health centre.  The main problem was ice everywhere!  I was afraid of doing a Bambi impression!  I have fragile bones so falling is not recommended.  Never fear I did the penguin shuffle around the town.  Had the chance of a quick socially distanced chat with a friend I hadn't seen since October and then came home.  So here are a few photos of the sail to Stromness on a beautiful cold and frosty morning..... 

PS - first time I've seen a proper sunrise all winter - well I am retired!!  After 60 years of getting up for school, university and work on dark mornings I am revelling in the fact I don't HAVE to do that now.  Whooo hooo. Retirement going well then......

Looking down Clestrain Sound to the island of Flotta (in the middle) Orkney Mainland on the left.

Hoy High lighthouse on Graemsay.....

Snow dusted Hoy Hills......

Approaching the harbour....

Stromness waterfront.....

Sunrise over the harbour and the Graemsay ferry.....

Boats in the harbour....

It was a lovely calm day, hope you enjoyed coming with me!  Next post will be the return journey....