August 2025

 Hello everyone, welcome again ! August has been a lovely month all ways round, especially with folk coming to the island from far flung places as volunteers for the annual Sheep Festival, a wonderful infusion of energy and vibrancy.

The main objective of the volunteers, aided by islanders, is to repair sections of the 13 mile stone dyke that surrounds North Ronaldsay

it involves collecting and carrying stones from the beach to the wall

very much hands on team work

Here's a little rhythmic song I made up, thought it might help the building of the dyke, to be sung slowly and calmly, with Zen-like qualities.

"Get in the zone,

pick up your stone,

carry it to the wall.

Place it down,

turn around,

keep going 'til it's five foot tall."

(repeat as required !)

( thanks to the Sheep Festival Facebook Page for the above dyke building photographs)

the Sheep Festival t-shirt wind sock created by Tim outside the Bird Observatory

The islanders vs festival volunteers football match is always a highlight of the festival

and Malcolm loves being a part of it

a great game and everyone enjoyed themselves and tucked into a bbq at the end in glorious sunshine

The evening before the festival ceilidh, there is always a practise run through so that folk get to know some of the dances

the weather was good so everyone was outside

the practise is always an event in itself

and loads of folk turned out and danced while the sun was setting

and on ceilidh night as long as the music was playing the floor was packed !

the "Palais Glide" is always popular

and

the "Papay Nine Pins" is definitely one for the younger crowd towards the end of the evening when their feet barely touch the ground and they need a lot of room !

and then a moment of calm to take breath

As part of the festival programme there are wool felting workshops too, some amazing creations in such a short time !

(thanks to the Sheep Festival Facebook Page for the felting workshop photographs)

and of course plenty of lighthouse tours

just love these young folk who come to the island

Nathan and Adam (who have become regular visitors to North Ronaldsay) with one of Malcolm's 8lb cabbages

Culinary highlight of the festival week ?

 Five great fellas cooking me a delicious lunch 😊

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Around the croft

birds enjoying the seeds of the pampas grass and bungee-jumping on the stems

grapes ripening in the greenhouse

when Zara thinks I've forgotten her supper her first port of call is the back window 

and if that doesn't get my attention she comes to the back door !

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Quote of the month

Mr Blonde

mmm, you can't beat the smell of a pony, bliss !

time spent with ponies is never wasted 😊

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Around the island

beautiful sea barnacles on Linklet Bay

Fair Isle on a clear day, 28 miles away

flying low

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There has been a small exhibition in the newly renovated Kirk

 celebrating women doctors on Orkney,

 especially the life of Dr Beatrice Garvie in the 1930's/40's

 and the hundreds of photographs she took of the people and their lives

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some unusual cloud formations

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No book of the month this time

but these are our two favourite quarterly magazines that we find inspiring

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Pause for thought

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That's all for August, wishing you all a peaceful, happy  September from the most northerly croft in Orkney

Malcolm & June

💛 💛 💛 💛 💛 💛

July 2025

 Welcome everyone to a peep into life in July on our Orkney croft, hope you enjoy 

In the greenhouse the grapes are just starting to ripen

and the peaches are almost ready

vibrant summer colours around the croft

marigolds and montbretia

abundant fuchsias

and raindrops on beautiful borage

should be ok for spuds for a while !

Wilma enjoying her tent days

and Tilly still sunbathing on the warm stones

a new family of swallows nesting in the field shelter, a regular island breeder and always good to see

with the extra heat come the jelly fish ! colourful but not inviting for swimming

have you ever seen a "fog bow"?

 a bit like a rainbow but shows up when it's foggy and we've had a lot of fog this month due to the hot air cooling over the cold sea

this is taken from the balcony at the top of the lighthouse with the shadow of the lighthouse and with the steps and straight path leading to the now redundant fog horn on the right

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Book of the month

this book was recommended to me by Pauline Kidd, previous owner of Mr Blonde, my Icelandic pony who shares my life, 

thank you Pauline on all counts !

For more information on this fabulous lady who helps humans and horses check out her website

www.paulinekidd.com

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( from Clever Classroom Facebook page)

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The 10th North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival

 has begun !

(image taken from Sheep Festival website)

with volunteers coming from far and wide to help repair the 13 mile stone dyke and to join in the fun

the boys and girls in training for the islanders vs volunteers football match on Saturday,

Malcolm is still there playing on at 70

there will be the after-match beach bbq and, the highlight for me, the Saturday night ceilidh, do love a bit of Dashing White Sergeant

 and Stripping The Willow !

Hope to have some festival fun photos for you in next month's blog

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but for now, remember to

(from Tiet Ho Facebook page)

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Wishing you a fun weekend, too, enjoy the  summer,

June & Malcolm

💛 🌞 💛