A slight change this time. As most people who might be reading this now have broadband I've compromised with the photos. They should be higher quality than usual, but there is no option to download a higher quality or larger version.

A mere four or five months since the last update but various visitors and travelling. A few photos, most with a story attached.

 

Summer didn't really happen this year which was a great disappointment. Our boat was underused (and undermaintained) and is now sitting by the side of the house. Visitors had to make the best of whatever weather happened along but we still went out to play. Fishing this year was great, rarely returrning empty handed (from May onwards, anyway). I also caught my biggest wild trout to date, but dwarfed by my brother's! Both were captured from float tubes on Bea Loch in Sanday. Keith's in particular was a brute to land, and there was no pocket on the tube large enough to house it. It made a great meal for four with lunch for two the next day.

Looking north up Swannay - Sandy doesn't have such hills. We had a morning of high wind followed by an afternoon of heavy rain. Keith was unimpressed!	These, on the other hand, did come from Sanday. I would like to point out that I'm holding my fish higher, have it bent and am standing much further from the camera than Keith is. In reality, his probably weighs no more than double mine.

We also fished on Harray (a water I've previously tended to avoid) in this beautiful looking boat. I probably ought to acknowledge that the paint is the soundest part of it.

My favourite water became the reservoir at Stromness, a perfect size for the float tube. I never blanked there all season, once catching eight good fish (but not large) in an hour. Swannay continued to attract me and I had a few large fish there from both tube and bank.

Seven of our lambs survived and thrived and enjoyed out attentions though the summer. By the end of September our field was not providing much nourishment for further growth so we had the front of the plot fenced. This extended their lives a little, but the poor postman had to fight them off when he delivered the post.

Our smallest and youngest lambs, Midnight and Scabby, enjoyed bottle feeding longer than the others. Here, Valerie manages to fight the larger ones off and feed the peedie ones.	Scabby because of this damaged eye which never healed. He did seem to favour it, though, and in reality I suspect he was almost blind. Seemed very happy, despite being a loner.
Midnight turned from jet black to a lovely brown. Very different head shape, too, looking almost haughty. (Jacob's cross). Still only six weeks or so old here.	All friendly to the end.
	I had this stupid idea that the lambs would simply follow me down the road to the barn we were using for slaughter. Most did, but this one wouldn't play at all. I was pleased no-one saw me wheeling him down in the barrow!

We now have a freezer full of meat.

 

We had a sail to Westray which involved motoring most of the way due to calms. A lovely evening and settled night before returning with an almost following force 7. Feli was great, though.
She was finally renamed in Westray	The final sail of the season, as I sailed from Kirkwall to Tingwall. Again, no wind!

The Hamiltons visited us in summer, and we had a great time, visiting new places.

Wilfred made the most of his beach time...	...as we took turns to go fishing from the dinghy
Martin found his cag was not waterproof... Jude's fitted.	We had a first excursion to Gairsay, only a mile or two from our house. It tooka few shuttles in the dinghy, but well worth it. The views from the top were enhanced by the clear weather (cold wind still...).
Out of the wind was fantastic, and the heather soft.

Jen's sister and family visited, too, and we again had a great sailing day. Stefan proved a very quick learner.	Martha steered perfectly until there were seals to watch!
Peter did his share.	Alison went off to Hoy for a day walking with Jenny.
	There aren't many trees on Hoy, especially in such exposed spots. This one is alleged to be old, but is still tiny.

 

Our big trip of the year was to Jen's other sister in Bahrain. We had a wonderful time, although it did seem strange to avoid going out because it was too hot.

Bahrain is a tiny place, and little raw desert remains. We manage a sunset.	Matthew
Jen and Lis saw this Whirling Dervish at a concert in the city.	We ate vast amounts of fantastic food. The Heinz tomato kechup was not typical!
Playing in a power boat...	...and playing in a sailing boat.
Becalmed again.	Rebecca, I think, took this photo. Underwater camera was a great idea.
	Jen with Rebecca and Matthew.

The three good photos here were taken by Theresa. I enjoyed a few trips to the fish market - just brilliant.	Theresa underwater.

Shortly after returning from Bahrain I had a chance to visit Shetland for work, Jenny joining me for the weekend. While there the Northern Isles experienced storm force winds mixed with snow and hail. Very exicting, and Lerwick harbour was packed with fishing boats sheltering.

	Shetland has a very different landscape to Orkney. Much hillier and long and thin - road distances can be surprising. I plan to return on a fishing expedition next summer.
	All in all a wonderful place. Just before our flight home we explored Sumburgh Head with lighthouse and foghorn; here Jenny's climbing to the foghorn rather than up the lighthouse!

Just last week I had a trip to Westray on the ferry - dark departure, dark return. This is Kirkwall harbour.

 

Beyond these few photos recording the past months, life trundles on. Jenny is now working part time at Glaitness which, as far as I can see, frees up time to do schoolwork... She's singing with the Mayfield Singers (watch out for their wonderful new CD for Burns Night!) and playing oboe with a few groups. She also has a gig with the Steel House Trio (on piano) in December, "supporting" the Bea Choir with whom I sing.

2008 is not far off, and before long the days will start to lengthen again. Must get to work on the boat...