Westray – Page 43 – David at the HALL of EINAR

The Day of the Jellyfish

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 Lighthouse

Noup Head Lighthouse stands magnificent and alone on the cliffs; a brilliant shining warning of the skerries below.

Seabird City

Noup Head, the RSPB reserve, is seabird city. Here is a Fulmar, crouching ungainly on the cliffs, waiting to wheel into the air.

Mushroom Magic

A long walk along the cliffs to Noup Head. Giant mushroom fairy rings lie like targets on the fertile hillsides.

Dawn

I’m up before dawn to scramble along the rocky coast to see a miniature rock stack.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Top Shells, Dog Whelks, Limpets, Flat Periwinkles and pebbles litter the shore like scattered pick ‘n’ mix.

Thistles

Thistles sprout in the rough grass on the dunes as the sun sets.

Statuesque

There’s something so poised, elegant and statuesque about a good tractor. They have a dignity about them. Here’s one of my favourites …

Tammie Norries at the Castle o’ Burrian

We’re up at dawn to see the Tammie Norries (Puffins), a short walk from our house, at the Castle o’ Burrian on …

Footprints on the Beaches

Footprints of gulls pattern the sand.

Mallimack

A Fulmar glides past like a flying boat over the Knowe o’ Skea on Westray.

The Knowe o’ Skea

Looking out across the Knowe o’ Skea where an important Iron Age burial site gives tantalising clues about the culture of our ancestors.

Periwinkle on the Beach

Flat periwinkle (Littorina obtusata) on the beach in the Bay of Swartmill.

Hair on the Wire

Sunset in the garden at Einar silhouettes the hair of the cattle rubbed onto the barbed wire in the fields.

Sunset Storm

The sun sets as a storm brews over Grobust.

Masons’ Marks

Masons’ marks adorn the steps at Noltland Castle.

Noltland Castle

Noltland Castle is a monument to political intrigue, plotting and rebellion. It now stands ruined and alone, its gun-loop eyes empty. Ravens …

Wall

The walls surrounding Noltland Castle are so beautifully made and such a natural part of the landscape with their lichen covered stones.

An Angel on the Sand

Evangeline draws an Angel in the sand

Another Wet Nose

Pony Poo

Allowing ponies into our field has finally had the much anticipated and appreciated effect. The mushrooms have come. What would we do …

Curiosity Cow

Westray cattle are a breed apart. I’m used to seeing docile unthinking beasts in Devon. Barely alive, seemingly semi-conscious, the Devon grass …

Sunset Over Tafts

Spectacular days and spectacular nights, with a breathtaking sunset inbetween. The days have taken on a eerie stillness and the seemingly everpresent wind drops in a strange lull. Wading birds call to one another as the light fades to crimson standing in the Bay of Tafts.