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

~~~~~~~

 

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 

💛💛💛💛💛💛

January 2024

 Welcome everyone, hope the new year has started well for you and hope you enjoy this month's photographs.

New Year's Day fun in the waves

 

  albeit a bit lonely

A North Ronaldsay tradition on New Year's Day is to dance around the Standing Stone

        

and share a dram or two

thank you Tom for your beautiful fiddle playing !

~~

I tell folk that North Ronaldsay doesn't get much snow as it's too windy but this month it gave us a fair sprinkling !

 

the old fog horn on the horizon

the lighthouse alone against the grey sky

the snow gradually fading away

 

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Have you seen these ?

a great idea all ways round

 less heavy shopping to bring home, less space in the cupboard, easy to use and they work.

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Pause for thought

 

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All our animals are doing fine and just taking it easy (as usual) and keeping cosy

Wilma

Tilly making the most of a ray of sunshine

 

Zara not really bothered by the snow at all

 

 

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Quote of the month

 

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A "Shoutout"

This is a little shoutout for a fabulous friend

Gavin Neate 

 and his business venture "WelcoMe"

- a solution for front-line staff training 

and support of disabled people and visitors - 

check out his website : www.wel-co.me

and Facebook page : Welco-Me Community

~~

 

This is such a fabulous idea, well done Gavin !

 💗💗

~~~~~~~

 

Something to look forward to later this year !

Check out the website for all the information for a great week on North Ronaldsay

 www.nrsheepfestival.com

 

 

🐑 🐑 🐑 🐑 🐑 🐑 🐑

So as another month comes to an end we wish you a warm and safe February

from 

💛💛  June & Malcolm 💙💙

⛄ ⛄ ⛄ ⛄ ⛄ ⛄

December 2023

 Hope you all enjoyed your winter festivities, enjoying the things you love with the people you love.

 

More dogs than swimmers for this Christmas Day swim

 

strange shadows while walking with Zara pony as the sun is beginning to disappear

December evenings with friends, weaving, music, singing, food, chatter 

and sleeping dogs

 

 Malcolm planting a peach tree in the new greenhouse against a south facing wall, watch this space

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 What are the odds of borrowing a friend's car, being followed by an 80mph wind and 

the last container from the removal company landing on the bonnet when it had acres of common grazing to go at !!!!!

Thank you Alex and Jack for being so understanding x

 

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the stunning, constantly changing skies 

over North Ronaldsay

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Wilma, our great little dog, celebrated her

 15th birthday this month

 

she's still making us smile and laugh !

🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

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Book of the month

Thank you to June, my friend of 64 years for gifting me this book for Christmas on the basis of the title. Although I don't usually read novels this was a delightful read and lovely to be in another world through it's pages.

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A Little Winter Blessing

written by Athey Thompson

 

"Upon a dark Winter's night , 

if you have shelter in the warm,

if you are safe

and you are well,

then you are truly blessed "

Magical Art by Tuesday Riddell

 

you can follow Athey Thompson on her Facebook page :

 "Tales of the Old Forest Faeries"

always a delightful read.

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New beginnings

a  friend (and fellow mermaid !) from the Highlands has recently taken over a new business

www.perfumestudioscotland.co.uk

making beautiful handmade soaps, creams, oils and perfumes

Thank you Janette,

I am so pleased with my first order from you,

with Loch Ewe Seasalt soap, Linden soap and

 Wind Song Perfume, on your recommendation

enjoy your new venture xx

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Pause for thought

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🎇 🎇 🎇 🎇 🎇 🎇 🎇

 Happy New Year !!

Wishing you all an abundance of love, laughter and dreams coming true

 as a new year begins

🎇 🎇 🎇 🎇 🎇 🎇 🎇