July 2007

It's over two years since I first came to Orkney for interview. Much has changed during that time, but we're still here!


View from our house at three am last week.	Yesnaby in January...	...was very impressive.

Term finishes on the first Wednesday of July and we're both ready for it. Jenny’s class is great, both kids and staff, but can be hard going. We met up briefly on Friday when outings coincided – beautiful sunshine at Evie playpark. My work has been very varied and has also involved a few trips sooth for training.

March was particularly full of travel, and I took the opportunity of catching up with various friends and family. Stunning weather for a few days I had in Bedford, and great to see Martin and Jude and realise that their bairns are shooting up. I do try to make my travel options interesting, and this year I flew into London City for the first time – not quite as impressive as landing in the old Hong Kong airport, but still brilliant; sleeper train home made a great change, and all the connections to home just worked out. No trips away planned this summer, but we do plan to visit the outer islands more.

Our little patch of land is home to seven lambs this year, which arrived in three batches from different places. We have lost three, poor peedie weak things. Feeding time before weaning was chaos – like a bucket full of eels as they all fought for the bottle. Now all in the field and still failing to keep the grass in check; they are eating machines, though, and rarely sleep. Wandering into the field gets us mugged as they still hope for milk.




Karyn, a friend and colleague, helped out along with many other neighbours.	The kennel seemed a good idea when we started with a couple of tiny animals, but was quickly outgrown!	The final pair, now joined the main flock.

We're also now official - registered and with a field number!

We reported that the shed had blown away in the autumn; the MkII is much stronger! Keith and Cy came up to build it, and it was great to see them.


Not much light in winter.	Previous shed had a single roof truss.	Karyn (helping again!) and Fred, close neighbour.

Another favour Keith and Cy did us was bring our new boat up. Built in 1958, the Fairey Atalanta is a most distinctive craft. We’ve just renamed her “Feli” (Laura Sylvia meant little to us) after a girl in India we worked with (and would happily have brought home!), and launched a couple of weeks ago. Still a few jobs to do, but we’ll get there. It is in this we plan to visit the northern isles.


Boat came complete with Range Rover - since passed on to a friend. Actually, the entire rig was towed up by the RAC!	Launching at Tingwall ( a few miles away) was assisted by Peter and others.	Tingwall harbour.

It was a relief to find it floated!	First sail gave us a lovely experience with Valerie and Alec	Now she sits in Kirkwall Marina.

We had a weekend away (together!) in Edinburgh, meeting up with Martin and Jude. It seemed so warm compared with Orkney, and we had a lovely time – as always, though, too short.


We paused on a walk to watch Scotland play...	...cricket.	And again to watch the water.

It seems a long time ago now, but I also had a trip to Aberdeen for fun, meeting up with Paul and Chris for a kiting day. Excellent fun, and so good to see them.

Jenny's annual sing with the Festival Chorus was last week, Elgar, supported by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra! Apparently it was really good, but from my seat all I could hear were the horns.

And finally, thanks to all our guests. It is a long way up here, and we really appreciate all who visit. Most have had some good weather this year (except Keith and Cy!), but until the lasy few weeks spring was very disappointing. Looking forward to the summer proper, and a few more people coming.


Zoe and Jessica enjoyed the bath again...	Jane and Catherine (who last year laid the shed base) visited again on their way home from Shetland. Camper van struggling!