Welcome to 2026 Orkney style, hope you too have managed to stay safe, warm and cosy.

We made a promise to ourselves on New Year's Eve that we would delay becoming grown up for another year.

Hope you think that's a great idea 😊

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2026

The Year of the Horse !

 bringing movement and momentum,

 a year of courage and freedom !

or in the case of our two,

 a year of eating and being spoilt !

and this is the face of the one who tends to their every need when it's dark and chucking it down with rain and blowing a hoolie !

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I recently came across what I thought was a stranded seal, high up on the grass of the common grazing with the tide a long way out.

After a while though it started to make it's way down the rocks (middle bottom of photo) and back into the water, where I'm told it's mother will be waiting for him.

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On a trip into Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland it was lovely to see the harbour looking so peaceful.

Book of the month

he ran his last marathon at the age of 101 and died in 2025 at the grand age of 114 when he was run over by a car !!

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Purchased this month online

Choking Rescue Devise

This is something that I hope I will never need to use ! but it could save someone's life given that time is of the essence if someone is choking.

It comes with an adult size and a child's size mask.

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Pause for thought

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Just for a laugh

with yet another birthday coming around soon, this made me laugh !!

(from Sue Haworth Facebook page)

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Wishing you plenty of horse power for the coming year, good health and happy days,

with love from

Malcolm & June

💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙

December 2025

This is the saddest blog that I have ever posted, since I started in 2013. Our wee Wilma dog just made it to her 17th birthday but has now passed over the Rainbow Bridge, as they say.

This month's blog is dedicated purely to Wilma.

Our hearts are shredded but also glowing in remembering that she gave us 6,134 days of love, joy and immense fun since we brought her home as a puppy in early 2009.

never afraid of anything bigger than her

Wilma had her own Fan Club of which many of you  are members, she adored people, loved parties, especially beach parties, 

thank you all for being part of her life.

kissy kitty

enjoying snowy Suffolk

she always loved big friends

nothing was ever too big for Wilma 

always there when it was time for some loving

maybe just a little bit spoilt

she loved getting grubby

and a juicy bone

and ever optimistic trying to get the cat hiding in the top of the wood pile

but always patient with Tilly cat

and the chickens

watching the world go by with "Joycie"

dreaming of chasing rabbits ?

she loved Sunday mornings at the Boom Beach

with all her mates and Stan the Pied Piper of dogs

and when the walking gets too tough, take the shopping trolley

packing for the house move, dog crate in first

beach party ? count her in

enjoying Benjie's playing

keeping my dry robe warm while I swim

striding out

loving company

and cuddles

off for another adventure on the trike

Oh, those ears!

A great little dog !! and in a while we will be able to remember her with big smiles and laughter without the tears.

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A little poem from me

Silent is the house

The house is silent now,

like never before.

No muddy marks against the door,

the sound of food bowls rattling, no more.

No barking, "where's my food" she'd shout

or "when we going out ?"

The gentle, rhythmic snoring ceased.

Never a dog for leads, a coat or toys,

a tough and independent soul,

a bundle of pure fun and joy.

Her very own Fan Club spread far and wide,

Suffolk through to Dumfries and Galloway,

through Wester Ross to North Ronaldsay.

A friend to all the world.

Silent is the house.

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and for everyone who has lost someone dear to them, this little poem may resonate for you.

"A little bit of me is missing.

You see, you took it with you on that day

That you went away."

Poem by Athey Thompson

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Remembering every soul who won't be sharing Christmas with us this year,

 until the end of January take care.

June and Malcolm

with love

💖💖💖💖💖

💙💙