31 March 2024

March 2024

Hello again, welcome to our March 2024 blog giving an insight to our daily life on our small island, hope you enjoy .

 

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There's been plenty of creative and learning opportunities on the island this month, from finger knitting ...


to print making






 to walks, talks, exploration and films as part of the 3 day North Ronaldsay Science Festival



all of course accompanied by plenty of good and company, participants ranging from 6 to 86.

Thank you to everyone who made these events so fantastic and enjoyable !!

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Around the island

waiting to be taken by the sea


 
flying low  


 



someone enjoying the solitude



exploring the rocks


 the strong winds have brought up plenty of seaweed for the sheep



traffic jam North Ronaldsay style



 
 
the old beacon




lighthouse beams on a foggy evening



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 Poem of the month


The blackest of skies,

no stars in sight,

only the lighthouse beams turning

on this cold March night.


                                                                                                  June Purvis


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Book of the month

Oh, I loved reading this book, should have read it more slowly so that it could have lasted longer than two days.


 


 
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 Another way to save the planet one washing up bowl at a time


they do plenty of other products too
 


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Pause for thought


Raise your words, not your voice,

it is rain that grows the flowers, not the thunder.

Rumi


( from Tao & Zen Facebook page )

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The very first blossom on our newly planted peach tree in the greenhouse !! looking promising




and the first blossoms on our blueberry bushes





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Quote of the month




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Relaxing moments on the croft




 
snuggle time with Wilma



Hope you have had a lovely Easter weekend





wishing you all plenty of sunshine and happiness wherever you are
June & Malcolm
 
🌞   🌞  🌞  🌞 🌞
 

1 March 2024


Hello and welcome everyone to our February blog ~
not too much to report from this short month but we are gradually coming out of hibernation ! 
 


Wilma still thinks it's a bit early in the year to be up and active though


 
 
 Tilly on the other hand thinks it's great fun to be up on the warm roof of the greenhouse


 
 
 
While the weather has been on the grim side we've thrown some white paint around 
 
 

 

and given some cupboard doors a bit of a revamp to cheer up the grey days !

 


 Since the Rayburn and the oil fired central heating system has gone up the shoot, we've decided to replace the open fire


with a wood burning stove, 

things always have to get worse to get better !



the fire surround had to go to meet fire regulations for distance to combustibles and we were hoping that the stonework behind the cladding might be a little more decorative but it'll turn out all right in the end !


 When the sun does shine in February you just have to take your Sunday lunch (and Wilma of course) to the shore and soak up the sunshine

 

the starlings obviously finding something very 
tasty in the front garden "lawn"

 

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 Good news for the island

the island has been granted a £2 million fund to bring the Trebb site back to life, with plans to have a shop, offices, gym, rehouse the woollen mill, accommodation and more.




work has already started


so watch this space

 

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Neil Leask from Orkney Museums came to North Ronaldsay to give a fantastic workshop,

 we could all have stayed for much longer !


 

 Helping to keep old traditions alive

 

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this was a wonderful afternoon, learning something new with some great friends


thank you Neil for making the trip to North Ronaldsay

Neil has the most wonderful Orcadian accent, he could read the telephone directory and enthral you !



 thank you Alex for organising another wonderful event

 Benjie certainly got the hang of it

 


 

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 Books of the month 

 

just had to buy a copy of this one after our workshop with Neil





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thank you Janet and Peter for sending us this book,

very thought provoking !

xxx

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Just for a laugh

 with my aptitude for getting lost this made me smile

Zen Taoism Buddhism Facebook page

 

living on an island three and a half miles long by two miles wide also helps !!! although it has been known for me to get lost here !!

😃 


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Quote of the month 



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Pause for thought 



from Dr Wayne Dyer's Facebook page

                                                                    
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 Another great event to look forward to in March, North Ronaldsay's 3 day Science Festival -
it's wonderful that so many folk love coming to the island to share their skills and knowledge and have fun at the same time.
 
 
Many thanks again to Alex for making this happen
 
 
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So, at the end of another month, we send you love and blessings for a bright and happy March
June and  Malcolm 
💛💛💛💛💛💛