Orkney Mainland – Page 28 – David at the HALL of EINAR

Dropping my phone in a rock pool

It takes a lot of courage or stupidity (at least what counts as that in the so called First World) to put …

Getting my cap and running shoes out - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

Getting my cap and my running shoes out

What’s the quickest way of dispersing a crowd? Take a collection! I’m getting my cap and my running shoes out to raise …

Sunset over Einar - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

Westray Sunsets

Tonight we chased the sunset over Westray. First there was a walk along the Bay of Tafts. Then a view of high …

Surfer at Grobust - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

Rose Window in St Magnus Cathedral

Orkney Trees - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Who says Orkney has no trees?

The view from the top of St Magnus Cathedral tells me otherwise.

You must be joking - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

A flavour of the times

Every visit to Westray brings the same anticipation for me; which flavour of Yeo Valley yoghurt will the shop have to the exclusion of all others?

Grey seal v Common seal. Who nose the difference?

Thanks to the Orkney Seal Rescue Centre I now know how to tell the difference between the two species of seal based …

Mice nibble - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

In the past, the mice at Einar have eaten my air bed, my slippers, my rubber gloves, bicycle inner tubes and even a roll of draught excluder. They have eaten ear defenders, knee protectors, sleeping bags and walking boots. Every time I arrive I wonder what will have been chewed this time.

Cute Seals - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

Just in case you thought seals were cute

Common Seals are wonderful and wild animals. This one at Broughton is yawning and showing its teeth perfectly; three front teeth, one …

Memento Mori - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

6 of May 1656

A lot has happened in the last 360 years; when this grave was carved in 1656, Oliver Cromwell was still Lord Protector …

St Stephen in the church of St Magnus - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

Saint Stephen in the church of Saint Magnus

Saint Stephen was a Greek man called Stephanos. He was found guilty of teaching against the Temple in Jerusalem and was stoned …

Seals at Broughton on Westray - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

“Who you lookin’ at?”

The seals at Broughton on Westray are curious.

Orkney Seal Rescue

We have time to visit the Orkney Seal Rescue centre in South Ronaldsay thanks to Ross. He shows us the only current …

Westray today

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

Two for One offers

It appears that Westray Wildlife will be continuing their two-for-one offers for the remainder of the month. :)

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

Literally

In Orkney I’m constantly delighted by how literal everyone is. Maybe it’s the Northerner in me to which it appeals. I loved …

Gargoyle on St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) 2016 David Bailey (not the)

A weathered gargoyle

St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall is a masterpiece of stone carving. There are numerous decorative flourishes including this gargoyle. I know it’s …

Me, after dinner

It’s the afternoon and the seals are out in force at Broughton on Westray. From all appearances they seem to have had dinner; at least that’s what I look like after I’ve had mine.