Ness of Bodgar dig....

 

As summer in Orkney draws to a close, so do the archaeological digs.  A couple of weeks ago I went to see the extraordinary dig at the Ness of Brodgar.  Yet again my photos do not do the site justice so do take a look at their website here

The site is huge and interpretation is ongoing as new areas come to light.  The walls of the buildings (well remains of them) are clear even to a novice like me.  Some rudimentary art has been found, animal bones, pottery and lots of interesting artefacts.  Next year will be the final year of digging.  Those who have supervised the dig since the beginning feel it is a suitable time to stop.  Partly to leave something for future generations to investigate with new techniques and ideas etc, and partly so they can write up all their findings before (in the words of one senior archaeologist) we are all to old to do it! 

So here are some of my photos - it was a grey day with drizzle but that didn't dampen the interest of the tourists, even if the archaeologists would have preferred something a little drier!

Click on these (as with others) to enlarge.  This helps position and orientate the dig....

An Orthostat (standing stone), the remains are in a corner of one of the structures.

You can clearly see the curve in the wall of this structure.

And the landscape around the dig...

Looking back to the Standing Stones of Stenness, over to the left (out of shot) is the chambered tomb of Maes Howe.

Looking across the loch to the hills of Hoy, hiding in the cloud.

And one of the finds when I was there.  It had just come out the ground, and was believed to be an anvil used for knapping flint arrow heads.  OK I know it looks like a Neolithic baked potato, but I can assure you it was hard stone.... but then so are some of my baked potatoes. Ha!

Scapa Flow Museum and around about on Hoy.

 

A few weeks ago I accompanied friends for a trip over to the island of Hoy to see the newly refurbished Scapa Flow Museum.  Now it is ostensibly a war museum, of which I am not a fan.  But this is much more. Documenting how Scapa Flow was used as a naval base during both World Wars and focusing on historic events and how they impacted individuals.  My photos don't do it justice so here is a link to a much more comprehensive explanation and photos of exhibits.  Scapa Flow Museum Link

The museum was officially opened by Sir Chris Hoy (tenuous link - Scottish Olympic Cyclist with a surname of Hoy.... maybe not ask too deeply on that one....).  Anyway Sir Chris also took part in some cycling events on the island with young and old and maybe inspired a few folk to get on two wheels! Or, 3.....

When I first moved to Orkney I lived on Hoy, at the South end, Longhope, with a view to the Scottish Mainland.  I was only there for 6 months when winter became too wild for me to spend in a caravan on Graemsay!  Anyway it was nice to be back on the island for the day and drop in on one or two folk.  The ferry journey takes about 45 minutes and you can sit in your vehicle (unusual on ferries) or up on the open deck (chilly!).

WWII in Scapa Flow - from one end to the next - yup even incorporating Graemsay!

The pump house - used to pump fuel from huge underground tanks to fuel all the fleet.

And then up the road to the north end of Hoy (the actual parish of Hoy).  I love the wildness here, lots of heather moorland and the highest hills in Orkney.

Views across to Orkney Mainland.

Those lovely Hoy hills

Drive carefully!  Cattle grids keep the sheep in (mostly) on the hills.

My favourite sleeping dragon/dinosaur.  Miss that view from Graemsay!

And an essential stop at Beneath t' hill cafe.  Highly recommended.  Great crab rolls and coffee!

Then off down the road - 18 miles to Longhope and to visit friends who have this as a view from their house.

A lovely day out.

It's Show-Time!

 

The first full week of August is Show Time in Orkney. A host of horticultural or agricultural shows around the isles and parishes.  This is my first year in the East, so I was keen to support the East Mainland Horticultural and Agricultural Show yesterday.  East Mainland includes the parishes of Deerness, Toab, Holm and St Andrews. As you can see in the photo above - the day was glorious for the show, dry, warm, sunny and barely a breeze!

The horticultural section was in the St Andrew's Community Centre, a few miles down the road from me.  These shows include fruit and vegetables, baking, jams, flowers and handicrafts.  For a relatively small community there was a magnificent display well laid out.  So here are some photos from the hall..... (and no I most definitely did not enter anything!).

The baking - the red tickets are first prizes for a Currant Bun  (or Black Bun) - which is packed with currants and in a pastry case.  A very Scottish Tradition.  Take a look here for details

The Children's classes were well represented too - very inventive!

And then down the road to the Agricultural Show..... I headed for the horses and ponies.  It brought back many memories when I used to compete in local shows with my pony, Badger.  Gawd how or WHY I chose to get up at 5am to get us both ready and head off to a show is way beyond me now.  But I loved watching these classes.  Some lovely ponies and some plucky riders too!

Ooooh hallo gorgeous!

And another handsome boy!

Shetland mare and foal!  There are a couple of Shetland Pony Studs in Orkney. They do well throughout national shows, and it's lovely to see them at a local show too.

British Mountain and Moorland Ridden class. The chestnut pony just about to move off was quite a handful for his young rider.  The pony bucked and reared in the ring and the lad fell off.  He was very plucky and got straight back on and despite the pony still being a bit "troubleson" they won 2nd prize! Well deserved for the rider!

Lovely setting for one of the horse classes

And then there were the farm animals - cattle and sheep, plus some goats, household pets and maybe a pig (I didn't see the pig...).  Hmmm I only seem to have photos of sheep here!

The day finished with a beautiful sunset.  Admired by myself and Button.

And Hippo/Frog island (aka the island of Rousay - categorically confirmed as Rousay after much local debate!).

Hopefully the weather holds for the rest of Show week!

Beach time....

 

I live between two beaches!  One has the roaring Atlantic shore and the other is a quieter sea water pool.  St Peter's Pool has a huge expanse exposed when the tide goes out.  It's so named as there was a St Peter's Kirk on a site nearby many centuries ago.  It then leads out into Deer Sound.  The shoreline can be treacherous, with deep mud and quicksand.  I just keep to the edge on my wanders.  So here are a few photos of a recent walk along this shore.

Leading to the shore...

Looking across to local farms

One of the views from the house is across St Peter's Pool and there are some lovely sunsets in summer ....