Dunlin are wary birds. As I walk along the Bay of Tafts they jerk in nervous motion and skit further along the beach to keep a watchful distance. As I paddle in the water they are less wary and I manage to approach within a few metres from the seaward side of them as they [...]
Idyllic weather in Orkney? T-shirt and shorts on the beach? It must be August and it must be a fluke, surely? Westray is only 15km long yet has an 80km coastline with 17 sandy beaches. Today we spend the entire afternoon at the Bay of Tafts. Hermit crabs have taken flat periwinkle shells for protection [...]
Another day, another cycling trip to the shops. Having no fridge means buying fresh and Westray is full of fresh produce. This time though it’s chance for a detour to the Westray Potter, Martin Terrell. As the Westray and Papa Westray Tourist Association say, “Worth going that little bit further for.” Martin produces hand made [...]
is not a question you want answered by a slow but persistent drip, drip, drip somewhere near your head at 04:38am. It’s raining inside again. There’s a lovely new roof on the school but the old schoolmaster’s house needs a little attention. Luckily there’s no need for one of the several builders’ buckets I’ve got [...]
A Dog Whelk perches on a barnacle encrusted rock waiting for the moon to pull the sea back over it like a foamy blanket.
At this time of the year the ripening cereal crops take on the colour of the sun on a seemingly endless summer day.
Today the jellyfish came; hundreds were washed up on Westray’s beaches. Mostly they were clear with pale pink and lilac frills, a handful were deep inky purple. Their alien life forms litter the shore.
Noup Head, the RSPB reserve, is seabird city. Here is a Fulmar, crouching ungainly on the cliffs, waiting to wheel into the air.
A long walk along the cliffs to Noup Head. Giant mushroom fairy rings lie like targets on the fertile hillsides.
Top Shells, Dog Whelks, Limpets, Periwinkles and pebbles litter the shore like scattered pick ‘n’ mix.
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