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....