Well over a year since our last update, and this one is photos from 2009. As usual, no chronological sequence, and probably nonsense to anyone who doesn't know us. Click any photo for larger image. As there are more photos of Steve than Jen I guess she took more of the photos than I did.
Always a good start to begin with Jude and Martin. We have enjoyed their company here so many times, but this was a weekend in Aberdeen
Early on we visited Eynhallow, a fascinating little island to the north-west of us. Our inflatable is still going strong; here launching from Sands of Evie, but more often it does the short crossing to Gairsay.
It's only a couple of miles walk round the island, and a beautiful day encouraged us.
Eynhallow looking across to Rousay
On one of our trips to Gairsay, Jock came for a walk with us (he usually does). From the ruins at Skelbist we overlook the Hen. Jock is a wonderful dog - a Huntaway
We had very little snow in the winter of 2008-09, but one deep fall.
Our house is behind
Ring of Brodgar
Snowball
Gairsay
We had our first trip (by inflatable) to Stroma, a Pentland Firth island which thrived until the mid-1950s when a new harbour was built; this lucrative work paid the inhabitants enough to relocate, so the harbour was barely used and the island now has only a couple of maintained houses - holiday homes.
A deep Stroma geo
The "Mains of Stroma" would have been very impressive
Track and many houses still in remarkable condition
We had a few lambs again...
...which thrived...
...following the usual labour intensive start and help from friends.
They soon learn to fend for themselves.
Did a fair few kayak trips this year. Here I'm landing in Finstown. A trip to Birsay in January 2010 went wrong, though, and I needed rescuing
We also took the Wayfarer out a few times - here with Frank Keenan in Rousay
Friends held an Asha party in our house - lovely evening
Jen's Choir, the Mayfield Singers, had a tour of Scotland...
...including Pluscarden Abbey
Hamiltons returned to Brodgar
I dabbled with the idea of working in Dubai, as part of which I visited a couple of times and worked there for three weeks
An amazing and sometimes ridiculous place, the shopping malls are a real focus. This one has a large aquarium
Jenny visited for the final few days of my stay and we wandered the old town
This fountain display is quite stunning...
...while the ski slope is surreal!
An electricity pole caught fire in the next field - this is the moment it collapsed
Our power was off for a couple of hours, but the speed of reinstatement amazed me
Fishing again played a part in my summer - this is Harray
A wonderful overnight trip to Hoy proved successful
Margery, a friend from Wales, finally visited and made the most of her trip - we visited Westray by bike...
...but when we left her alone she took out the MX5.
She visited Hoy, too, and paddled at Rackwick
McKittrick family visited again...
...experienced very mixed weather...
...and filled our freezer. Took ages to gut this lot, but we're still enjoying them.
A bit of a Darlington reunion with Hamiltons and Teagues.
We touched 12 knots over the ground inthe Wayfarer - this time with the Scholes
Tim returns to a kayak after a decade layoff
A gentle Wayfarer sail to Rousay with Hamiltons
We had an autumn break to Spain...
...during our few days visited several cities...
...and also managed a quick trip to the country...
...following a well maintained path up a mountain.
Spain? No - that's an Orkney sky!
Jen had a summer trip to Malvern - better weather here!
The Fairey Atalanta has gone north to a new owner in Shetland. We have bought Peridot back from Ron and it's currently outside the house awaiting better weather. Various alterations and additions, including a heater.
Jen's Orkney hairstyle on a Yesnaby walk
A little taste, probably more for our own record, of 2009