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July 2017

Gannets at Noup Head - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Gannets at Noup

I’m hanging over the edge of a 75 metre high cliff looking down at the dizzying heights below. The smell of a …

Westray Regatta - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Lugs, Skiffs and Yoles

I’m surrounded by lugs, skiffs and yoles. There are even bugs and centre-board allcomers. I’m at the Westray Regatta. I recognise what …

Black Guillemot - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

A Tystie and a Topknot

The coastline around Westray is wonderful on a glorious summer’s day. We’re on the trail of Black Guillemots, or Tysties as they …

Curlew - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Whaup Whaup overhead

A trip to the Bay of Skaill reveals the shallow turquoise waters which look Caribbean to someone as starved of heat as …

The Bay of Tafts - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Tafts from the Bay of Tafts

The Bay of Tafts is nearly my nearest beach. I love it here. There’s a never-ending procession of moods as the weather and seasons change.

Knowe o' Skea - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Westray from the Knowe o’ Skea

I love the walk from Mae Sands to the Knowe o’ Skea. It’s a magical place, where currents meet, the sea boils and where an Iron Age burial ground gives views out towards the island of Rousay.

Sand Martins - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Sandbanks

Sandbanks is the most exclusive beach in the country and contains some of the hottest properties. No, I’m not talking about Sandbanks …

Wren - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The Wren who hasn’t been told

It’s been an emotional journey over the last few days with the birds here at Einar. We always have Swallows and Blackbirds …

Puffin Portrait - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Puffin Portrait

Sometimes words are too many. Sometimes words are too few. Sometimes it is best that there are no words at all.

Pierowall Bay - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Flowers for a mother and baby

Sunshine brings the flowers out to bloom around Pierowall Bay. This one looks like Chamomile to me but I suspect it’s Sea …

Risso's Dolphins - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Never a dull day

The weather on Westray may be dull, but there’s never a dull day on Westray.

A white blanket of cloud shrouds the island but life continues as normal for the incredible menagerie which inhabits the shores of Westray.

Puffin - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Puffins in the air

I’m lying down on the grassy clifftop looking across at the Puffins on the Castle o’ Burrian when I realise I can …

Puffin - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The hours before sunset

We’re on Westray and only have a few hours before sunset to see some wildlife at the Castle o’ Burrian. At least …

Orkney Ferries - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Orkney Ferries to Westray

I’m heading to one of the North Isles of Orkney, which are North Isles themselves. I took this photograph of the North …

Mice Nibble - The Hall of Einar

Mice nibble… anything!

What won’t mice chew? I’m currently carrying out an experiment, whether I like it or not. Every time I come back to …

Northlink Ferries - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Scrabster to Stromness by Northlink Ferry

The Scrabster to Stromness ferry across the Pentland Firth takes about 90 minutes. As we leave mainland Scotland for the Mainland of Orkney there’s a classic Stevenson’s lighthouse.

The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Accademicals

They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. That may have been true in the times …

Small Skipper - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Skipping among Skippers

I’m lying in the grass in a chalk meadow surrounded by the sounds and smells of nature. It’s a sensory delight. There’s …

The Pond - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Half an hour of nature

Tonight there’s a brief chance for a walk to the local park. It has a large lake and a small pond. The …

Abbotskerswell - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Hazel and Vanessa

I’m out tonight in the company of Hazel and Vanessa. We’re in the fields of South Devon together. Hazel is laid back …

High Heels - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Westray wearing high heels

Westray wears its working clothes most of the time. It has an endless supply of beautiful green garments which it accessorises with …

Cricket - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

It’s Not Cricket

It’s a Cricket; I know that much. It also looks like a Bush Cricket. I’ve found a Bush Cricket before. I’m also …