September 2024

 Welcome to our September blog, it's been a mixed month of storms and sunny days, people and ponies, books and projects.

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There have been some great people coming to our tiny island this month, all with special interests and knowledge to share with us, from Viking poetry, archaeological walks and talks, moon rocks, ocean climate to music, film and art !

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It was great to see Henry again, a frequent visitor to North Ronaldsay, a pleasure to take him on a lighthouse tour !

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2 beautiful books of the month

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think I might be becoming obsessed with lighthouses 

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Recommendation...

if you happen to be on Facebook and you love books have a look at Facebook Page :

1000 Libraries

it's amazingly beautiful

💛

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Love this little poem 💙

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Happy School Birthday 

to all those Owenians who enjoyed happy days

at the Angel, Islington back in the 60's,

especially to my friend Sheena, who has made a wonderful impact on the world 💕

Michaelmas daisies, cake and Beer Money, courtesy of our School Governors, Whitbreads !!

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Around the croft ....

Malcolm lifting some of the potatoes, looking like it's going to be a beautiful harvest

Quote of the month

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the birds love eating the seeds and swaying on the pampas grasses

early morning yawns

it's always Zara standing on lookout while Mr B lazes around on the grass, mmm ...

Mr B takes snoozing very seriously

a starling resting on Mr B's head while he's snoozing

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Some jobs on the croft get much bigger than expected !

A field shelter for the ponies seemed like a good idea and then you realise that 8 inches beneath the surface you hit rock !! and trying to sink 6" x 6" posts 1 metre into the ground is a major task !!

but having started, you have to carry on

This is the Orcadian method of securing a post without the use of concrete when stones are plentiful

all straight and square

   not looking much like a field shelter yet, but the tricky bit is done

Pause for thought

I like this one, it's quite liberating

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Hoping you had a lovely September, too, and looking forward to a change of season to a colourful autumn, until next month, 

be happy

from Malcolm & June

💛💜💛💜💛💜💛

August 2024

Welcome to our August blog showing a glimpse of life on North Ronaldsay

moonlight over the Old Beacon and the sun setting over the old fish store at Bewan Pier

The island's seaweed eating sheep have been rounded up and sheared this month

sheep looking lost

It has been lovely to have Malcolm's sister Barb over this month from Madeira and spend gentle days

on the shore

beach combing

bird watching

seal spotting

and spotting where Turnstones had been turning stones !

very busy birds

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Books of the month

a diverse selection of reading this month, this is Malcolm's current favourite

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my current favourite

yes, I know, my two ponies are 24 and 18 years old but you can always learn something new

and this is a real gem for all ages !

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Quote of the month

"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go to the other room and read a book."

Groucho Marx

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A bit of fun

(from Book Lovers Facebook page)

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How about this for a celebration of the opening of a new library !

"The grand opening of the new Central Library on Mare Street, Hackney on 28 May 1908 passing 

Town Hall, Britannia pub and Hackney Empire"

(photograph from Facebook Page "Memories of Hackney, Homerton and East London"

photograph supplied by Terry Rifkin)

How things have changed !

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  I love taking photos still when I'm up at the lighthouse, always fascinating

and if the sun shines through the lens it makes magical rainbows and children love the effect

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Recommendation

for any of you who wild swim or who would like to, have a look at this short film of Maria A Heygum, living in the Faroe Islands, when she was 88 years old 12 years ago, made by her film maker grandson, 

Heiderikur A Heygum

Waves - A Portrait of Maria a Heygum  

on Youtube.com         

and the short clip of her still swimming every day !! at the age of 100 !!

on Birgit A Heygum Facebook Page 

Amazing !

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Around the croft...

these are probably the first ever grapes grown on North Ronaldsay ! two bunches so far, not bad considering it was only planted earlier this year

These are probably the first peaches to be grown on North Ronaldsay too, five peaches in the first year

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Pause for thought

(Facebook Page)

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Mr Blonde, Zara and Tilly taking great interest in a newly sheared fleece

and little ol' Wilma hiding amongst the stones

So from us until next month

we wish you all abundant happy days

June and Malcolm

💛💛💛💛💛💛