May 2022

 

Welcome to our second blog from our new home on the island of North Ronaldsay.

We have been here for just one month now and gradually settling in to the island way of life and getting to know it's lovely people.

Hope you enjoy these images.

When you look at the coastline it is easy to see...

why most of the houses on the island are made of stone and many with stone roofs. This stone roof on our small barn is one of the first jobs for us to tackle to make it into a watertight workspace.

The weather has been very good since our arrival, even being able to make the most of eating our breakfast and lunch outside, something we weren't expecting to do .

Our new view from the kitchen window looking out across the North Sea

Wilma enjoying the sunshine

Tilly cat still thinks the outside world is a bit scary and using it as an excuse to hide under my pillow

I'm very pleased that our cottage is near the lighthouse because it means that wherever I am on the island I can find my way home, day or night !

With a lot of redundant cardboard packing boxes and a lot of pony poo from Zara it's time to prepare growing beds for next years potato patch.

and Malc has dug over part of this year's potato patch in a nice walled, sheltered part of the croft

On Saturday mornings we go on a health walk for folk to meet up and get up close to the local livestock;

 fresh air, companionship and exercise, lovely.

When you need provisions of any kind you just 'phone a shop on mainland Orkney, pay by card and they take your order to the pier to be put on the next ferry and you collect it from the island pier when the ferry comes in. 

No hassle, no parking problems, no queueing, easy.

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If at any time you feel unwell on the island there is a rather delightful surgery and no waiting time.

Views from around the cottage...

looking towards the other end of the island

Sparkling clear waters

Bewan pier

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North Ronaldsay has a fabulous woollen mill to process the wool from the island's seaweed-eating sheep into yarn and we were very lucky to have a  tour, thank you Helen.

an industrial washing machine

a felting table that will produce a rug-size piece of felt in one hour (I'm very envious)

along with carding, spinning and plying machines

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During an hour's walk we came across just two cars but many more seals, they seem to be all around the island

Around the island are some derelict cottages and inside some of them it is fascinating to see some of the old relics and imagine the life and times of bygone eras.

An old threshing machine and furniture

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There are many visitors who come to the island for bird spotting and make their base at the fine

 Bird Observatory 

offering guest house, hostel and camping area and a shop for groceries and other goods,

 have a look at their website

www.nrbo.org.uk

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Pause for thought

Wild geese do not intend to cast their reflection, 

the water has no mind to receive their image.

Zenrin

(from Tao & Zen Facebook page)

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Books of the month

We have been sent two beautiful books from friends this month that we'd like to share with you.

thank you Lorna & Stan for our perfect gift.

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Thank you June H for sending us this next delightful book of poems, much appreciated

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Tilly is gradually getting braver, I can now reclaim my pillow.

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Hope you've enjoyed seeing a little bit of North Ronaldsay and so until next month I'll leave you with this lovely Apache blessing

(from Tao & Zen Facebook page)

Stay safe and happy, keep smiling

June & Malcolm

💙💛💙💛💙