An afternoon with an Otter
A cycle ride to Mae Sands and a picnic of bread, cheese and water with a nice apple. Mae Sands is so …
Pitter patter on the window
It’s late at night and I’m sitting on the wide window ledge in the kitchen. The light is on and the curtains …
Emptying woodlice from your underpants before putting them on in the early morning leads to much greater comfort on the bicycle saddle by mid-morning.
The Knowe o’ Skea
Looking out from the Knowe o’ Skea Iron age burial ground across the skerries towards Rousay in the distance.
Running away to the circus
No, not that kind of circus. I mean Circus cyaneus, the Hen Harrier. Sitting in the window seat looking over the fields …
Will you still love me when I’m grey?
The wind whistles on Westray today and clouds shroud the hills as I hear the wind saying “Will you still love me …
Always buy a toilet seat that contrasts in colour and tone with woodlice in order to avoid sitting on them unexpectedly.
Making Hay
Yesterday was a wonderful sunny day so farmers were busy cutting the grass to make hay whilst flocks of gulls followed. The …
Noup Head Panorama
Noup Head is my destination by bicycle today, as it was yesterday. The crushed stone path is so rough that my bicycle …
Gannets
Gannets have started breeding on the Noup Head cliffs and are taking over many of the narrow ledges and expanding the number …
Washing by hand
I’m not someone who likes to air his dirty laundry in public. That’s why I bring you only my cleanest pants and …
Weather and wildlife strip the carcase clean
A 16 metre-long adult Sperm Whale beaching its carcase on the Bay of Tuquoy in 2007 was a source of much excitement …
The smell of fresh bread
“Would you like some eggs?” our Westray neighbour asks. She’s very kind. She’s a real life faerie princess (“The UK’s leading exponent …
They call it flagstone…
… because it’s stone and breaks naturally into flags. The whole Island of Westray is made of it. Perfect flagstone paving everytime. …
Slugs and Fine China
When you move to an abandoned house there are always inhabitants who need to be evicted. Some are simply guests. Some are …
With the dirt on…
Fresh veg. With the dirt on. Straight out of the garden and onto the rack at Pierowall Fish. I’ll have some of …
Fungus Fairy Rings
In the disabled parking area of the 124th Orkney County Show at Bignold Park I spot a fairy ring. I’m always distracted …
Form Follows Function
The making of traditional furniture has nearly died out in mainland Britain. There are few master craftsmen, little knowledge of natural materials …
Sign on the Westray Ferry
I love workplace signs. There’s something about working in close quarters with people that can really wind you up. The office kitchen …
Always shake the woodlice off your flannel before using it to wipe your face in the morning.
Decks may be slippery…
Today was a full day on the Mainland of Orkney for the Orkney County Show. A trip on the ferry is always …
The Westray Foot
Evie’s sculpture of The Westray Foot from pebbles collected at The Bay of Swartmill.
Clootie Dumpling at the Haff Yok Cafe
Yesterday was the premier of my bicycle and me conquering Westray. I cycled the full length of the Island and it felt …
Hume Sweet Hume
I’m a man and I love knitting. There, I feel better for unburdening myself already. Craftwork. Fine and designer knitting. Italian yarns. …
“Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight” – the Guardian
I’m sitting in a dilapidated school building. It’s on a remote Scottish Island called Westray which is an hour and a half …
The Twa Corbies
I loved chemistry at school, despite how difficult I found it to remember. Part of that was, of course, the teacher I …
Chaps in Caps and the Westray Wave
The first time I visited Westray I was on foot and I walked from the main village, Pierowall, to the ends of …
Incomers on Westray
It’s easy to tell an incomer on Westray. They stick out like a sore thumb. I’m one of them, I should know. …
Grooves and Scratches
There are so many patterns on rocks here it’s dizzying. There are magnificent beds of wave patterns from fossilised freshwater beaches 380 …