For the love of Rhubarb
It’s time for a cycle trip to the Westray shops – all three of them – to see what rhubarb treats they …
It’s time for a cycle trip to the Westray shops – all three of them – to see what rhubarb treats they …
It’s time to cross from the Mainland (and that’s the name for the main island of Orkney, not the UK mainland) to …
School in again all this week. As usual, lessons given in usual order but progress not so satisfactory. Seemingly the scholars are longing for the vacation.
Malcolm tends to the pigs at Steenyha’.
St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall is magnificent. It’s origins are in Viking times, when Orkney was ruled by Viking Earls. It’s the …
Memento Mori – “Remember Death.” How could I forget death, as I walk around St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall on Orkney. I’m …
Here’s a double ladder in St Magnus Cathedral that two men last went up in Kirkwall in 1722, yet only one man ever came down it. Explain.
It’s a steep climb up the tower of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. The gravestones are so perfectly preserved, even those from …
It’s time for a trip to the Mainland. No, not the mainland of Scotland, the Mainland of Orkney. Mainland is an hour …
The bones of wind and wave washed cattle litter the sand dunes of the Links of Noltland. Here are a couple I …
She’s tiny, ginger and blonde and everyone refers to her as ‘Lady.’ Yes, it’s the new Shetland pony in the field at …
Nancy remembers the Hall as it used to be; a school. So does Catherine. “It’s the first time I’ve been in here …
The Church of Scotland Kirk has a wonderful sign of the Saltire and the burning bush painted on a Westray stone flag …
Cycling home and Einar is enveloped in mist.
Tommy is very kind. He’s decided I should have some of his green and some of his purple Curly Kale. Tommy’s garden …
The Westray Industrial Show is nearly upon us. It’s when folks here get competitive over cabbages, but not Tommy. He says more …
With this kind of treatment, Malcolm’s Steenyha’ pigs will never be under the weather, whether it rains or shines.
Piglets are such tricky blighters to photograph; even when you hold them they wriggle. Here’s Malc with one of Molly’s litter. All …
A quick trip down the road to see Mr Pig today where Molly has produced 10 piglets, or nine and a half …
Several days into my Westray trip and I need a shave. Molly the pedigree saddleback pig is nice and bristly this morning. …
Orkney has precious few trees. And I mean precious. Perhaps I should say Orkney has a few precious trees. Windswept, almost barren …
There’s just time for some rough cycling down to the nearest beach at Taftend before sunset. It’s a chance to get off …
I’ve seen the sun rise, orange and luminous over the ocean from my bedroom window and now it’s time for me to see it set behind Fitty Hill. A glorious day.
There’s just time to wander down to Taftend on my bike to watch the sun set behind Fitty Hill.
On the roof two slates have cracked and fallen. I have a box of replacements ready, because on Westray one slate missing …
Wind and weather conspire together to make Westray’s grass rough and tough. That’s essential for the ponies in my field. When the …
The lack of trees on Orkney has meant that generations of people have relied upon driftwood and whalebone for building materials. Orkney’s …
Westray’s beaches are full of interesting finds. Whether it’s a groatie buckie (or Cowrie) on the tideline or the skeleton of the …
… is the early plastic, better known as Bakelite. It’s all the rage for people to use Bakelite light fittings in their …