For those in peril on the sea

As I write this, today is NOT a good day for sailing. Winds of 80-90 mph. Nothing like recent Australia storms I know but even so, 'hids gey windy oot thar'

Last Saturday was a kinder day and we took a trip to see the Kirkwall lifeboat as they were having an open day. We were allowed on the lifeboat where one of the crew showed us round and answered all the many questions like ''where do you keep the dead bodies'' asked by my charming 17 year old daughter! My son on the other hand was more concerned where they kept the biscuits and sweets but he enjoyed sitting up front at the wheel too.

Having grown up in the midlands, as far away from the sea as a person can get, I didn't have much appreciation for the work of the lifeboats but living by the sea I can't stress how vital their role is. Run entirely by volunteers apart from one paid member of staff employed to keep the engines/boat in tip top condition we were very impressed by how much work and commitment goes in. I was surprised to hear that you didn't have to be experienced with the sea or boats to volunteer. I thought that would be expected. But it was pointed out that most crew are fishermen away for long periods of time so local people are needed who are nearby all the time should the need arise. I have to admire those volunteers who get sea sick but do it anyway because they want to help.

Big thank you to Kirkwall lifeboat crew for letting us look around. Very interesting. I was some chuffed to win a bottle of wine on the tombola too :-D

My Morning

so you know those days when you get a phone call from a friend wanting you to drive to theirs with jump leads because their car won't start so you chuck on old rag bag clothes and a hat to cover your bed hair and drive down to the friends once you've rummaged in the garage to find the jump leads and the dud car is on the drive which doubles as a sloping ice rink so you spend ages pushing the car off the sloping ice rink and turning your car around on the sloping ice rink and you finally line up the cars bumper to bumper and by now you can't feel your feet or your hands and you are walking around like Bambi on ice and slipping everywhere on the ice and you get the bonnet up and do all the jiggery pokery with the jump leads and the car still won't start because it's not the battery at all it's the actually immobilizer? Well. That.

Everybody want's to SEE the cat

But the blog is misbehaving so I can't post the picture. I'm reffering to the blog I just blogged before I blogged this super quick blog. Look underneath this one.

EDIT: Finally sorted it. Here she is.

Elephants, Leopards & Lobsters

Friday night saw a group of us headed to a local club for a charity event called Gogo Lobsters. This was a combination of a local band, Stereo Lobsters and a charity called Gogo Olives.

The charity raises funds by knitting and selling animals like the one pictured enjoying a pint. (they are usually better behaved, this one was led astray) Great fun was had by all. Lots of laughter, music and dancing. Half way through the evening one of the friends I arrived with disappeared off to the toilets and emerged a leopard. We couldn't help but wonder if she had been drinking more than the elephant. Everybody wants to be a cat, however if you want to own one you can purchase knitted leopards, but my crazy friend is not for sale. All in all a great evening and £2400 raised for a very worthy cause. Check out the website for more info. http://www.gogo-olive.com/

REBOOT- Back by popular demand

It's been literally yonks since my last Blog. Lot's of Christmas emails asking when I will be getting back into gear and updating it. It seems there is a genuine interest in my musings. You're a good lot.

2011 starts with my job hunting. I was made redundant on Christmas eve so not a great start to the New Year but I realise I'm amongst many others who are in the same boat. I refuse to let it get my down.

There will be other events happening this year which will mean big adjustments. My daughter will be leaving home if all goes to plan. This will happen about August, September time. Do you have any idea how blinkin' soon that will come round? I can hardly believe it. Two minutes ago it was all S Club 7 and babysitters club, now it's driving lessons and UCAS trauma.

I'm also going to lose more weight. I lost three stone in 2010 and was delighted. I want to continue and lose more. It's pretty much the same New year stuff I know but I have other more exciting plans. I'm just not going to tell you what they are yet. Keep you coming back. ;-)

Only in Orkney

My parents received this letter today addressed to

''Mrs ........ SRN on her birthday & Mr ......... & her daughter and her children at a newly built bungalow on the islands c/o postmen of the islands (if they would be so kind) The Orkneys Scotland''

Orkney is small but not THAT small and Orkney people do not like Orkney being referred to as The Orkneys. All in all a huge thumbs up and well done to the postal team for managing that one.

Wind,Westray and giant spacehoppers

I was due to go to Westray for the weekend on Friday and had been looking forward to it for several weeks. I've only had a brief visit there and was ready to see a bit more of the much talked about island. Some say it's where God goes for His holidays. Sadly the one day I was due to set sail was the day the winds really picked up. Not a bonnie day at it has to be said. I had read the forecast and was feeling slightly sick at the thought of being sick on a rocky boat. I was given a pep talk from a friend about the finer points of a boat's bottom. The outer isles boats have a flat bottom so they sit on top of the water. (or was it a flat bottom?) anyway I'll leave all the technical stuff to him. All I cared about was his reassurance that I would survive the crossing and emerge without looking green. I woke on the Friday morning with renewed bravery and vigor. I was ready to tough it out on the flat (or is it round?) bottomed boat and packed my overnight case. The winds had other ideas and and just over an hour before we were due to leave the boat was cancelled (along with nearly all the other boats I hasten to add!) So my visit to Westray is on hold and my breakfast lived to see another day. Shame. I was genuinly feeling braver than normal. Maybe I was just too proud to wimp out.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Instead of chilling out in Westray I found myself sitting on a giant space hopper at a church family fun night in aid of Sport relief. Most things in life seem to get smaller. (creme eggs, wagon wheels you ken the way?) but this was the biggest space hopper I've seen and I was itching for a go. I had to bounce round a course and didn't bounce very far! It was exhausting but a great way to keep fit. I think my space hopper days are over but I had ace fun. I've a feeling though it wasn't a good look. ah well.

Orkney hit by another two feet of snow!

White stuff, clever stuff and a bit o' ranting

For someone who always seems to have plenty to say I've had an epic fail at keeping this blog up to date. *must try harder*

Mark Twain famously said, 'Everybody complains about the weather but nobody does anything about it.” The complaining about the weather drives me insane. People saying the same thing over and over. However I have now been driven insane by the weather and find myself in the category of complainers. I am well and truly, completely and utterly sick of it. (snow that is) I am reliably informed that Orkney has had one of its worst winters since blah, blah, blah. See that's another thing. Whenever we are given an account of the weather on the news it's always 'since records began' The lady with the BBC voice calmly tells us it's been the hottest October, the wettest May, the snowiest June, the driest rainfall 'since records began' anyway, the bottom line is Orkney isn't that bad compared to many places (heck even Florida got snow!) but it's bad enough to make me grumpy. I had an attempt at trying to trick the weather by doing some spring cleaning the other day but it took no notice. It feels like Narnia. Hurry up Aslan, get on the move!

On to the clever stuff......
After 18 months being here I finally got to see the Northern Lights the other night. Otherwise known as the Merry Dancers. Now here comes the dumbed down science bit..concentrate.... apparently there has been very little activity over the last 4 years and Northern Lights sightings have been significantly reduced. However due to clever stuff with the sun and light and north pole and magnets etc it is set to improve greatly over the coming months and I was even told that by this time next year seeing the Northern Lights will stop being a novelty. Jury is still out on that one, but for the sighting I did get, I drove out to Birsay where it was pitch black. I stood outside my car and listened to the waves whilst looking up in wonder at the green and white lights dancing away and thought ''wow, this is clever stuff''

Octobrrrrr....

ok I admit the picture was taken a few weeks ago but isn't it beautiful? The weather has cooled down a little now but we had a glorious summer so can't complain. The exciting news is that my parents moved up here a week ago. Who'd have thought that when I set sail for these shores they would follow? They are settling in well and are enjoying exploring their new environment as well as the joy of time travel..... (back in time about 20 years.) I still have much to be thankful for and am enjoying putting down roots and forming solid friendships as I get to know who's who on a more firm foundation. I really enjoy going to Stromness Baptist church and after having a year off rotas I'm now taking my turn with a few jobs which have proved both challenging and fun. Last night we had the first of a regular Saturday night meal together. A Once a month get together for folk to eat and blether. It's held the first Saturday in the month so put it in your diary and come along. It'll be worth the journey up here, honest!

One year (and a bit) on

I can hardly believe I have been here just over a year now. I always said I would give it a year before I truely declared it the right move but I can say with hand on heart that decision was made months ago. I have no regrets about moving here. (well maybe one, I should have done it sooner) My dad tells me I should get a job at the tourist board as I could sell Orkney to everyone. Here are some reasons why.....

I have been working long and hard over the summer but thanks to the long hours of daylight I could still enjoy a dog walk to my favourite spot in Birsay late into the evening. (The stones pictured are just one of many, many creations one stumbles upon while walking. Very arty. )

I haven't taken one single hayfever tablet since being here. (Gave one to the dog but I've been fine) The clear, sea air has done me the world of good.

I've not sat at a red light, been in a traffic jam, had anyone try to clean my windows while I sit at said red light, encountered parking problems, paying for parking problems orr had to wait to be squished onto a park and ride bus with hundreds of others for a year now.

It really is another world here with a slower pace of life and beauty to be seen at every turn. I've no intention of going anywhere else. God willing my parents are moving here too. About time, the ironing pile has been waiting patiently ;-)

am I the worlds' worst blogger?

I realise I'm not very good at keeping this updated but apparently more of you lovely people are reading this than I had imagined.

Next month will be the first anniversary of my arriving here. I always said I would see how I felt in a year and all I can say is. No regrets. I simply love it here and am so thankful for so much. The weather has been simply gorgeous and we are just back from my son having a dip in the sea just down the road. The very sea I can see from my lounge window. Even oldest daughter is settling down and smiling more than frowning these days! The summer brings with it loooooong days and I am still able to read a news paper out side at nearly midnight. Not that I do. But could if I wanted to!

We've enjoyed annual events such as the local gala day where children dress up and parade with a piped band and carnival floats. There is also a local raft race with much flour and egg throwing. Folk festivals, St. Magnus festival, shopping week, jazz festival, county shows. The island comes to life for the summer months and having been here through the winter months I know they have other delights to offer too. Notice from the picture that even our graffiti is upmarket!

All in all a jolly good move (in case you were wondering)

I would end this by saying I promise to write more often, but we know that isn't going to happen ;-)

ttfn

Hello mum *waving*

Talking to mum recently on the phone she said ''you haven't updated your blog lately'' to which I replied ''You actually read it???!!'' I was unaware people actually log on from time to time to read my musings. (maybe it's only my mum) So as promised mother dear here's an update and a wave ;-

Life has been busy as usual but enjoyable so no complaints. A few weeks ago I was asked to show a visiting friend of a friend some of the places to see in Orkney. Our first stop was Skara Brae an ancient neolithic settlement. In modern speak it was a 5 thousand year old housing estate which was uncovered in the winter of 1850 after a severe storm. What lay beneath the years of sand and earth was a rabbit warren of houses and 'corridors' showing the homes of our ancestors. The condition of these homes was virtually intact and it was amazing to see how resourceful these people had been. It was hard to truely visualise it however until we went into the reconstructed house complete with roof and we were able to see how small their accomodation was with several people all living in one room. The weather on that day was grim. That awful drizzly, grey rain. Imagine living like that with no electricity and worse still no broadband!

The weather improved the following day and we were able to cover more places to see including the Italian Chapel and shipwrecks, but it reminded me that there is an awful lot of Orkney to discover and I've really only just begun.

Other news is that I'm now working in a restaurant called Waterside and loving it. It's pretty much on the doorstep and fits perfectly around the children and my extensive social diary (ha!) and all in all it's been a real gift.

The next Love Orkney celebration is taking place on Saturday and I was with a couple of friends yesterday practising a wee drama we are going to be doing. The script was written in Orcadian and most of the afternoon was spent with the three of us crying with laughter as I tried to translate from Orcadian to English on the spot and not sound like Joanna Lumley. It's not meant to be a comedy but turned out more like a scene from Acorn Antiques with the 'cast' really not taking our role seriously and ending up not being able to look at one another without cracking up. I guess it will be alright on the night.....

I'm looking forward to a visit from mum and dad in a couple of weeks and hoping the weather is in our favour. There's a lot to pack into a week.

I'm still enjoying my frequent dog walks on the beach. Sadly the computer is sick so no photos today. However all in all life is good, all is well and I'll try to update more often I promise! toodle pips darlings. (said in Joanna Lumley type way)

You Are Here

Spring hasn't quite sprung but it's springing. The evenings are definitely getting lighter and the weather improving. One of the joys of moving to a new and beautiful place is the excuse to go out exploring. My trusty dog is always happy to explore with me and in the last few weeks I have been to some stunning places. The first picture was taken at Birsay on a Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago. A spectacular coastline with amazing cliffs and mesmerising waves. (do you think I should write for a tourist mag?) The second photo shows a gorgeous secluded spot I found when asking a friend and local about where was a good place to visit. It's called Wulkmill Bay and I really was the stranger on the shore. Last week I enjoyed a cliff walk in Deerness. To say it was windy is putting it mildly but still so lovely with a pebble beach and more stunning views. So many places to visit and I've only just begun. It never ceases to amaze me as I drive around what a beautiful place Orkney is yet so many people don't even know where it is. Their loss....

Loving it here.

It's been a crazy few weeks. Flying out to Florida, coming back for a quick turn around then flying South (every where is South from Orkney. John O' Groats is still south. If you go north you hit the North Pole always go south!) for Christmas, flying back to Orkney for new year, A loft conversion just finished (hurrah) and waiting to be painted, getting the children back into term, and dealing with the the coughs and colds that seem to appear with January. However one thing I know for certain is that I love Orkney and feel a huge sense of peace that I am in the right place. The bible says we will have a 'peace that passes all understanding' and I certainly got me some a' that. Going back south reminded me of what I already knew. That I love it here! No traffic jams, or huge shops with rows and rows of tacky giff that no one really wants needs or can afford. People still question why I would make such a move and I appreciate it wouldn't be every ones cup of tea (or is that Iron Bru?) but it's great for me. I love opening my door and smelling the sea air and how that alone takes me back to childhood holidays. I love how my son stops off with a friend every day to see the seals by his school. I love driving through the country side and seeing the old stone houses from years ago and wondering what tales they have to tell. I love the spectacular skies, sunsets, sunrises. (Pictured below is a sunset taken on Scapa Beach on Jan 2nd) I love the atmosphere and the boats and the see and the creativity and the open space. The list goes on. It just feels so right.

Needless to say it was not hard for me to attend a launch night on Saturday of 'Love Orkney' It certainly seems to be my daily phrase. Love Orkney has been born out of a group of praying women who attended a christian conference a year ago called Islands Ablaze. From that they prayed and sought God on what they were to do. The heart of the message is as simple as the title. Love Orkney, pray in all the parishes, love the people, share the gospel message, help those in need. It very much links in with the lighthouses of prayer which I wrote about back in November. The launch night was held in Harray which is the heart of Orkney and had a huge turn out despite the winds. Boats were cancelled and it was a grim night but still some 200 people turned out to hear about the vision for Love Orkney, enjoy the music provided by Michael Harcus as well as the the Men of Orkney choir and songs from the CE children. There was a supper afterwards with traditional Orcadian 'bannocks' which is unleavened flat bread served with cheese and very much enjoyed. (It's worth mentioning that Orkney cheese is delicious too) followed by heart shaped shortbread and cakes. All in all a very encouraging evening. Did I mention I love it here?

Photos of the evening and more information about Love Orkney can be found here http://www.loveorkney.com/

The Ba' an Orkney tradition

New Years day 2009 and no sleeping off hangovers for Orkney folk. You can find a large crowd gathered together to watch the Ba' which is a long standing tradition which dates back to well before the war. Christmas day and New years day every year gathers together brave (or slightly mad?) to play what can only be described as a giant game of rugby in the streets of Kirkwall. Now obviously I'm a newbee but I will try to explain the basic rules then add pictures so you can see for yourselves. here goes.
1. There are two teams the 'uppies' and the 'doonies' Your team is decided on which side of Kirkwall you live on, or how you first came to Kirkwall (boat or plane)
2. At 1.00pm when the cathedral clock strikes, the Ba' a large leather ball is thrown into crowd of waiting men and never seen again. Well at least not for several hours.
3. The object of the game is to get the ball up the way and touch it on a wall some way down the street or down the way and throw it into the harbour. That decides the winning team. Then follows a further scrabble to get the ball and from that emerges the overall winner who gets to keep the Ba'
4. It appears that the rule is there are no rules. Other than if someone goes down they are supposed to stop until they get up.
I think that's pretty much it but it's great fun to watch. As the two teams arrive to face each other off there is quite an atmosphere. There's a hushed sense of anticipation as the crowd wait for the clock to strike then the place goes mad. You need to stand well back in order to avoid getting caught up in the middle of it and as the scrum breaks and moves up or down spectators can me seen suddenly making a run for it!
All shops bar their doors and windows to prevent someone going through them and team players strap their trousers to their boots with yards and yards of duct tape to prevent losing their steel toe cap boots! (it appears it doesn't matter if your head gets mashed so long as your feet are ok!)
It's generally good clean sporting fun although they occasional fight breaks out and maybe it's an opportunity to settle an old score but I haven't heard of too much damage being done. That said I heard of a man who punctured his lung playing on Christmas day and was back playing on new years day!
The game lasts a minimum of 2-3 hours and the one pictured too 5. A long bath, a decent meal and a good sleep is probably what's needed after. And that's just for those spectating!
scroll through the pictures and note the shops being boarded up, the arrival of the two teams, hands ready to catch the Ba', scrum scrum scrum, and most amusing of all the steam rising from the scrum after just a few minutes. Just be thankful it isn't scratch and sniff!

The Ba' pictures (click on the picture to enlarge)

Th Ba' Pictures (Click on them to enlarge)

Remembering Simon

It's said that everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news that President Kennedy was shot. Likewise the death of princess Diana. For me, as long as I live, I will never ever forget hearing my father's voice saying ''Simon's died''

On 25th November I went to bed feeling happy with my lot. I had a good idea which direction my life was headed and I was thankful for so much including the recent news that my mother was again given the all clear from cancer. On Wednesday morning I answered the phone to my father knowing instantly that something wasn't right. Dad only has to say ''Hi Sarah'' and I know straight away whether the news is good or bad. This time the news was worse than bad. It was worse than I could possibly imagine. My brother had taken his own life on Monday 24th and been found the following day. I cannot even begin to describe the utter devastation and shock I felt. All I could say was ''oh daddy daddy daddy I'm so sorry I'm so sorry'' Apparently my sister said ''daddy'' too. Something we haven't called dad in years but something we both did when hearing the tragic news.

What followed from that phone call was without a doubt the most distressing and traumatic weeks of my entire life. I have never had to endure anything so awful and hope I never will have to again. Due to my brother living in Florida I had to get on a plane within hours and meet my parents and sister there with none of us really having a clue what we were going to find. Simon had taken his life just before Thanksgiving which meant due to holidays and the weekend there was little we could do for the first few days except sit around and wait.

We were met and given wonderful hospitality by Simon's close friends and work colleagues. It was comforting to us all to know that their love for Simon was equalled to ours and they were as shocked and grief stricken as we were. Knowing how highly Simon was thought of and how loved he was, was a tremendous comfort to myself and my family.

There were times when I don't know how I managed to put one foot in front of the other as I struggled to come to terms with the over whelming sadness that had engulfed me. For the loss of my brother, for my parents loss of a son, and most importantly for Simon's loss of bearings in life that drove him to do this. No one saw it coming and we have talked for hours and hours over to the whys and hows and the if onlys. Nothing, none of it will bring Simon back. A light has gone out in our lives that will never be re lit. However, I know due to Simon's faith which he shared with me and others, that a light has gone on in heaven. His pain and torment has ended when ours has only just begun. I seem to spend large amounts of time just looking at photos of him. Sometimes I feel alright and can speak freely about him when at others the slightest thing can trigger another tidal wave of sadness and grief which consumes me. All I want to do is talk about him. Say the same things over and over and over. Thank God for those friends who are there to listen.

One of my short term coping strategies is to get as much information about suicide as possible. I know I will never be given the answers I am looking for but for me, having some information helps. While on my search I found these poems and words which I think are beautiful.

He Only Took My Hand

Last night while I was trying to sleep my son's voice I did hear.

I opened my eyes and looked around but he did not appear.

He said, "You've got to listen. You've got to understand;

God didn't take me from you, He only took my hand.

When I cried out in pain that night, the instant that I died,

He reached down and took my hand, and pulled me to his side.

He pulled me up and saved me, from the misery and pain.

My body so badly wounded I could never be the same.

My search is finally over now, I've found happiness within.

All the answers to empty dreams, and all I might have been.

I love you all and miss you so... please don't keep asking why.

My body's gone forever, but my spirit will never die!

So live until we meet again, and please try to understand

God didn't take me from you, He only took my hand.

~Author Unknown

__________________________________________

when I was born everyone in the room

was laughing and happy. I was crying.

when I died everyone in the room

was crying. I was the only one

laughing and happy.

___________________

John 14 v 2-3 There are many rooms in my Father's house. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you? And if I am going away to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and welcome you into my presence, so that you (Simon) may be where I am.

____________________________________________

Revelation 21 v 1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and the sea was gone. I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, "See, the tabernacle of God is among humans! He will make his home with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There won't be death anymore. There won't be any grief, crying, or pain, because the first things have disappeared

________________________________

As I prayed and asked Jesus to tell Simon we love him and miss him, a friend who was with me asked me what the name Simon means. I looked it up there and then and it means ''listening''

Simon I know you are listening. Rest in peace my darling brother. Your loss is so great to so many people. You were and still are, very loved by very many. Thank you for being my brother.

________________________

If you have been touched by this post and would like to make a donation in memory of Simon please pass donations on to The Samaritans. Thank you.

Send forth your word Lord and let there be light.

Somewhere in the depths of an old photo album from many moons ago is a picture of me next to this lighthouse pictured. Taken at Old Hunstanton. This one was taken in August days before I moved up to Orkney. The one in the photo album shows me sitting in a pushchair and mum standing behind in a head scarf and rain coat. (ah those were the days when fashion graciously stepped aside to make room for warmth and comfort)
I wonder if that is when my love of lighthouses began? I have always enjoyed looking at pictures of lighthouses and watched with envy, programmes where people have converted lighthouses to live in.

This weekend I attended a lighthouses of prayer day. A group of almost 40 of us weathered the storms to make it to a coastal tearoom with spectacular views with a lighthouse to complete the landscape, and looked at ways we could impact our local communities by praying, caring and sharing. It was an interesting and encouraging day and I was genuinely uplifted to see how many people wanted to build up their communities by looking out for one another and looking for ways we could love,serve and help those people around us. There is a good community spirit in Orkney but we can always do more. Orkney is a very safe and friendly environment to raise children but people have the same stresses and strains wherever you go and we all need each other at the more difficult times. Just as a lighthouse warned the passing boats of the dangers of rocks, we as human lighthouses can be there to brighten up someones day or steer a misguided soul to safety. As conversations took place over the weekend we realised very much that sometimes we are the lighthouses. Strong and able to help light the way and sometimes we are the person in the boat feeling tossed around on a stormy sea. (I've paraphrased the conversations here but the idea's the same) I know I have been so grateful for the abundance of human lighthouses who have helped and selflessly served me over the years and hope to conintue the good work in other people lives.

We each took home a miniature lighthouse to remind us. I am lucky enough that in the distance from my lounge window I can see a lighthouse. I can't however see a little girl in a pushchair. Apparently she's all grown up now.