tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29469281982238615342012-01-19T07:23:18.287ZFionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.comBlogger2461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-86876091809935055122012-01-05T22:20:00.001Z2012-01-05T22:21:23.871Z

Watching a programme tonight on TV about the building of the Ice Hotel reminded me of a stay there at New Year 2006. This is the room we stayed in, none of the £600 a night fancy suites for us I'm afraid! Getting a look around the whole hotel was fascinating though. What an amazing place!

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-80825566709474750852012-01-04T21:53:00.003Z2012-01-05T22:06:02.517Z

I got to Arran on Boxing Day just in time to walk along to Lamlash Pier to see the annual Boxing Day Dip. The RNLI provide safety cover for the swimmers. It looked cold, but there was a good turn out of both swimmers and spectators. Many of the swimmers are in fancy dress, mostly dressed as Santa ... ... although there are often other costumes too... At the end of the swim it's

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-82711477544056534492012-01-02T17:05:00.005Z2012-01-05T17:20:51.919Z

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2012 is a great year for you all. I spent Christmas 2011 with family, including my young niece and nephew, and had a lovely time. New Year was then spent (unexpectedly, and due to weather conditions) in Arran, roasting chestnuts over an open fire... All good.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-80316866164550826152011-11-12T21:24:00.000Z2011-11-12T21:24:15.533Z

There have been some gorgeous sunsets over the last week or so. Of course, now that the clocks have changed I can't get back from work in time to catch the sunset over the sea, which I so enjoyed watching on the rare occasions when we saw the sun this summer. However, I've managed to catch the sunset in the countryside a couple of times. Beautiful.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-64372216946708352272011-11-11T11:11:00.003Z2011-11-12T22:25:45.943Z

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them." I always find these lines - from 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon, very moving.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-68209682415817983072011-11-10T10:34:00.000Z2011-11-12T21:24:45.548Z

Some late season gannets from Troup Head. Not this late in the season of course - there's no gannets left at Troup at all now, but they should start to return in a few months. These photos were all from mid August, when a lot of the chicks had fledged and many of the gannets had already left. There was lots of preening going on, as the birds all made sure their wings were in the best condition

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-6442320975210206362011-11-09T00:21:00.001Z2011-11-09T00:24:00.095Z

I first saw Maggie Adamson perform at the Orkney Folk Festival Open Stage in 2007 (it seems like no time ago, doesn't time fly....) At the time she was only 15, but blew us (and the rest of the audience away) with her playing. Here's a Youtube clip from the previous year (yes, she was around 14 then!) - I think this was one of the sets she played in the Open Stage - which she won in Orkney that

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-81046270660412215492011-11-08T21:17:00.000Z2011-11-08T21:17:05.131Z

Thanks to my friend Sian I may have a solution to my blogging problems, and may be able to start blogging again...... Fingers crossed. Of course, Sian may be the only person still bothering to read my blog by now, as everyone else may have got fed up of the lack of updates and given up! I'll give it a try over the next few days and see how it works out.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-61963690343473120702011-11-02T19:36:00.000Z2011-11-02T19:36:07.786Z

I've been having huge problems getting any new blog entries written as Blogger sadly seems to have become rather unreliable. So meantime there will be no more blog entries until things improve, as I just don't have the time to spend on this just now. 5 hours for one blog entry is just ridiculous! And it's still not right as the font size seems set on small no matter what I do, or change...

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-27274388102512081682011-10-30T17:17:00.014Z2011-11-08T21:14:15.991Z

I've been reminded (several times, by different people!) that my blog hasn't been updated for a very long time again! A lack of time to sort the 1000s of photos from the summer, combined with wrist problems meaning I can only edit a few at a time - and the necessity of combining finding time when my wrists are playing ball to allow me to get on with it - has meant it's been a few months

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-77437960842773732272011-07-21T10:33:00.001+01:002011-07-21T10:34:18.200+01:00

As we were watching to see if the Europa would put her sails up (she did, but only a few as you can see) ... another ship, the Tecla, set off... ... followed by the Maybe ... ... and then the John Laing. The bay was starting to look like it must have done years ago, with sailing ships coming in and out. I went out on an Orkney Yole for a sail around the harbour. It was great fun and

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-60337072105117586532011-07-20T21:49:00.001+01:002011-07-20T21:51:16.545+01:00

A sea of masts is how Stromness looked on Monday when I visited. There were around 9 tall ships berthed there, then throughout the day the numbers kept changing as some ships left and others arrived. Some of the ships were just gorgeous - all polished wood and brass. This one is the Christian Radich. We were able to go aboard the Sorlandet for a look around her decks. Again, I jumped at the

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-39416396428731730692011-07-19T21:09:00.027+01:002011-07-20T21:31:34.011+01:00

The Russian ship, the Mir, was the largest of the tall ships to call into Orkney. She berthed at Hatston Pier (presumbly being too big to berth at the Kirkwall Pier or marina) where she dwarfed cars. They were allowing people on board to have a look around the decks, so I jumped at the opportunity! She really is tall. Last year with the Spirit Dancer, some of the crew were allowed up the

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-67159203540195348622011-07-18T21:32:00.039+01:002011-07-19T21:52:36.550+01:00

... for the Spirit Dancer canoe. She's a 42 foot Canadian canoe who's spent time in Orkney waters over the last 2 summers and is now off to Shetland. I've been lucky enough to be part of the crew of this fantastic vessel for the past 2 years and have a whole host of fantastic memories and good friends as a result. I'm heading up to Shetland for the tall ships and to rejoin the crew, but first she

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-18467093031881250252011-07-17T20:47:00.001+01:002011-07-19T21:29:56.211+01:00

As part of the Tall Ships race there is a Cruise in Company leg, between Greenock and Lerwick, where the ships choose their own routes and sail leisurely, making as many stops as they want along the way, enjoying the company and the scenery. Ports vie for the ships as they're a big attraction - and this year the 'official' guest ports on this leg are Ullapool, Stornoway, Campbeltown, Orkney (both

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-33766126223971266312011-07-16T01:05:00.016+01:002011-07-16T01:13:53.094+01:00

There was a festival, based around Arran Yacht Club in Lamlash, arranged around the expected (hoped for?) visits of the tall ships to Lamlash and the rest of Arran. I saw around 18 of the tall ships (out of around 37 taking part in leg 1 of the Tall Ships Race) although I believe there may have actually been 24 of them visiting Arran. Several others visited ports on the Ayrshire coast or

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-28084668822539777282011-07-15T00:17:00.004+01:002011-07-16T00:35:23.074+01:00

It was great seeing so many tall ships calling into Lamlash Bay last week, as they finished the race and before heading to Greenock. The first one (the Eurpoa) came in on Tuesday evening in full sail. A great sight. More ships gradually arrived over the next day. Not all of them picked the best places to anchor! This one (the Irene I think) spent a good 2 hours moving about the bay,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-33065992729727916292011-07-14T00:01:00.007+01:002011-07-14T00:11:20.434+01:00

Several tall ships called into Lamlash Bay last week (more on that later) and I was lucky enough to go kayaking in the bay while they were there. The bay was very busy with all kinds of craft as the Arran Maritime Festival was on - to encourage as many tall ships as possible to call in. There were rhibs, kayaks ... ... dinghies ... ... a viking longship ... ... and even the Waverley.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-37629118202912464662011-07-13T15:51:00.004+01:002011-07-13T15:53:34.879+01:00

Last month I finally got my Explorer back on the water. I bought her when I was getting an operation on my wrist, 2 years ago now. I think I was trying to persuade myself that the operation would be successful ...  it wasn't and she's only been on the water twice up until now which is extremely frustrating. The local club were paddling from Cullen and I took the opportunity to get my boat back 

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-30801151382328011522011-07-12T22:42:00.000+01:002011-07-12T22:42:43.474+01:00

Here's the links to the various blog entries about our trip around Troup Head, all in the correct order: Surf launching Rounding Troup Head Paddling Troup - View from the cliffs Surf Lunch Safely ashore Surf landing Rescue! It was a great day!

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-73405834733427170812011-07-11T21:42:00.011+01:002011-07-13T10:04:39.358+01:00

There were several paddlers who didn't have much experience in surf (although they had a lot more than me!) - and certainly not in a sea kayak. Watching from the shore was certainly an eye opener - that's the first time I've seen a vertical sea kayak!! (Being Shaun, he just rolled straight back up. Well, he is a coach from Glenmore Lodge....  and funnily enough, I was to end up paddling in Arran

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-85262457135570732472011-07-10T21:27:00.001+01:002011-07-12T21:41:04.063+01:00

After shuttling the cars we arrived back at Macduff and our supplies of dry clothes. Ian reckoned the rest would be a good hour yet before reaching Macduff, so he decided to take the 3 boats we'd had back to the club compound. I decided to go to the Co-op to replace the sun cream which I'd lost during the morning's launch through surf, and then to head to Portsoy to see the traditional boats all

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-75249055371309991622011-07-09T23:56:00.001+01:002011-07-09T23:58:08.264+01:00

We paddled along to Gardenstown, where 3 of us were ending the paddle for a variety of reasons (in my case because much as I was enjoying myself and wanted to continue, my wrists were twinging and with about 6km paddled and another 9km to go I didn't want to risk putting anyone in the unfair position of having to paddle the double on their own with me as a passenger.) It was interesting to see

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-72649116917696660302011-07-08T09:06:00.004+01:002011-07-09T23:48:34.765+01:00

At lunchtime I had my first lesson in surf landings. Unfortunately most of the lesson came after the landing attempt.... We headed (appently downhill now that I look at my photo!) to Crovie for lunch. My camera was still rather wet from rounding Troup Head so the photos aren't as clear as I'd like due to water on the lens. There was some surf on the beach, so our coach, Alan, gave us some

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-23143185255828932442011-07-06T18:12:00.001+01:002011-07-06T18:13:46.763+01:00

Us rounding Troup Head by kayak. All these photos courtesy of my friend John. Thanks again!

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-48487043339718223602011-07-05T21:57:00.009+01:002011-07-06T21:08:16.122+01:00

I've visited Troup Head many times now, to see Scotland's only mainland gannet colony, but this was the first time I'd seen it from the sea. There was a fairly big swell, but everyone seemed to be coping with it well, although we did have a few problems with keeping direction in the double. Our zig zag course worked well though, and we still made progress. Soon we had hundreds of gannets

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-24072721566789405712011-07-04T23:27:00.004+01:002011-07-04T23:30:28.902+01:00

As I think I've already said, I've been lucky enough to find a kayaking club here that's friendly and very welcoming to paddlers with disabilities. We're also lucky to have several coaches and experienced paddlers who spend a lot of time passing on their skills. Today's first lesson was launching through surf..... We started off (after loading the club trailer) by getting changed at Macduff and

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-74860052949917564572011-07-02T21:51:00.000+01:002011-07-02T21:51:23.107+01:00

We'd just finished our rockhopping and stopped for the obligatory chocolate break ... ... and started heading back along the coast, playing in some small races, when the cry went up "Dolphins!" There seemed to be a large number of dolphins, and some actually came towards us, and were as close as 2-3 metres from some of the kayaks. I saw a couple of breaches, but my wee waterproof camera

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-51276553372002012082011-07-01T17:38:00.001+01:002011-07-02T17:54:29.768+01:00

I've been lucky enough to find a kayak club that doesn't run a mile at the thought of paddlers with disabilities, and instead actively try to find ways to allow *everyone* to paddle. They've even bought 2 double kayaks so that people with, for example, wrist/arm problems or learning disabilities can get out paddling. I was out in the club double for a great wee paddle from Banff beach, along the

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-67392975130435629482011-06-28T21:55:00.000+01:002011-06-28T21:55:57.062+01:00

After some fairly horrible weather around Midsummer's day itself, with not a midsummer sunset in sight, things have improved. The weather hasn't actually improved that much - torrential rain yesterday afternoon made my drive to Aberdeen rather more interetsting that it could have been - but the sunsets have been in evidence again and I've been enjoying them over the last few evenings.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-37599945972618928702011-06-26T19:40:00.009+01:002011-06-26T19:44:11.867+01:00

My visit to Orkney in the summer will coincide with the Tall Ships, and with Chris & Barbara's return with the Spirit Dancer. Don & Kye climbing the rigging of the Statsradt Lehmkuhl to get a bird's eye view of the Spirit Dancer for photography. Evening paddling in Kirkwall Bay. After that, I'll be heading on to Shetland as I had such a fab time there last summer. And again my visit to

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-50354809376451739472011-06-24T17:56:00.000+01:002011-06-26T19:26:54.542+01:00

I'll be heading to Orkney for a few days in the summer holidays. I think it'll be quite strange to be back there actually, although I'm looking forward to it too.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-50218117009161892342011-06-23T23:32:00.000+01:002011-06-26T19:27:40.751+01:00

Well it's the time of year for the agricultural shows starting. A couple of weeks ago I went with a friend and her children to the 'Royal Northern Countryside Live' show at Dunecht, near Aberdeen. We were pretty impressed with the organisation - £5 entry fee for adults; free for under 16s. So £10 for a day out for 5 of us, including parking! A bit cheaper than the Royal Highland Show, which is

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-5870461126893447962011-06-16T21:34:00.003+01:002011-06-25T17:51:19.085+01:00

Well I was trying to change the design of my blog, only blogger has had a fit on me and decided it doesn't like my changes, and now it keeps randomly changing things itself! So apologies for the current look of the blog, will hopefully get it sorted soon.... UPDATE: Think it's my internet connection that's causing the problems. I'm having huge problems uploading photos here too (and with a

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-51360730716032586362011-06-15T20:29:00.001+01:002011-06-15T20:53:42.302+01:00

Most days (weather dependent!) on my way to work I see Bennachie in the distance. I've been meaning to visit Bennachie ever since moving to Aberdeenshire. It's a place I've heard of for years ... not least from the words of the Old Blind Dogs song "Gin I were whaur the Gadie rins". I finally made it there a couple of weeks ago. As I'd had a long day out already I didn't do a long walk there,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-29735446678558444982011-06-07T00:25:00.002+01:002011-06-07T00:29:27.375+01:00

Aberdeenshire music isn't something I know much about (although I'm missing the Orkney music a lot....) Most of what I know is either Bothy Ballads (and I don't know many of those) or songs done by the excellent band Old Blind Dogs. I've now been out exploring a bit further afield, and have come across some of the places mentioned in OBD songs. The Back of Bennachie.... O Gin I were whaur

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-58951440667006042482011-06-06T17:45:00.002+01:002011-06-06T17:47:45.353+01:00

Having moved recently, I'm still missing the amazing views I enjoyed previously. That's not to say that my new place doesn't have good views too though...  These were all taken from my balcony. Shalders and dunters are common. Plenty of boats to watch too...  ... including the Pharos which moored out in the bay one evening. That's another boat I last saw in Orkney. Some wilder

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-75297726332565437712011-06-05T23:43:00.001+01:002011-06-06T17:38:39.789+01:00

Having moved house recently I'm still missing the views I had previously. These were all taken in the last week or so before I left Orkney.     I do have some pretty nice views from my new place too, thank goodness!

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-10736107234121927682011-06-04T20:36:00.019+01:002011-06-05T23:41:34.114+01:00

I came home from work one night recently to find this moored practically outside my front door. She's the Reaper, a Fifie herring drifter owned by the Scottish Fisheries Museum. She was built in Sandhaven, just along the coast from here, in 1902. I last saw her 9 years ago, in Kirkwall. Needless to say, it didn’t take long until I was aboard for a look! My class were very intrigued by this

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-29387114202758118492011-03-19T22:09:00.004Z2011-03-19T22:17:35.518Z

After visiting the Scottish lighthouse museum a few weeks ago (which I will get round to blogging about eventually, I'm sure) I was inspired to visit a local lighthouse I'd never been to before - Roseness. It was a lovely walk on a sunny, but cold, day. The coastline is lovely, with great views towards Copinsay, and lots of evidence of otters in the area. If you've got sharp eyes, you might spot

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-22221118050145938302011-03-14T21:47:00.002Z2011-03-14T21:47:00.535Z

I've always loved the scenery around Glencoe and Rannoch Moor, since I was a wee girl. When I lived in Skye, we used to pass through there regularly whenever we went to visit family & friends. However, I've rarely been there in the past 11 years since I moved to Orkney, so in the October holidays I decided to drive the scenic route back to Orkney... The drive was a lot longer this way, but

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-89261142129241980842011-03-13T21:42:00.001Z2011-03-13T21:43:08.013Z

Yes, I know it's totally the wrong time of year for this, but I've been sorting out some photos I took in the October holidays. I had a lovely trip "sooth" to visit family & friends, and also spent a few days just touring about taking in the scenery. Killin Red squirrel, Speyside I had a very cold night camping at Grandtully! Slalom kayakers, Grandtully It was a great holiday, and makes

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-80962461826665487532011-03-12T21:19:00.003Z2011-03-13T21:30:46.250Z

The mirrie dancers (or merry dancers, northern lights or aurora borealis) have been quite active recently. Unfortunately the weather has conspired against getting good views of them a lot of the time, with cloudy skies and snowstorms, but Friday was a beautiful evening, albeit extremely cold, and I got some great views. I moved around a bit taking photos, but it was so slippery with a very

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-66481147244844536202011-02-24T22:50:00.002Z2011-02-24T22:57:46.058Z

Since August I've been commuting to work by ferry. It's a bit of a long journey as it calls at another island first before reaching my destination so it takes 2 1/2 hours. It's been rather choppy at the best of times .... (understatement!!) The typical view from the ferry window - and that's when I can stand safely; often I (and the majority of the passengers) spend the trip lying down. Once I

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-18003837341428190342011-02-23T18:25:00.000Z2011-02-24T18:29:45.523Z

More memories from summer 2009 - Don and Ora's great film about the youth group from the Okanagan who came to Orkney and spent 2 weeks paddling with the Spirit Dancer canoe. The Kwu Sukwna?qinx Canoe Family were a great bunch of folk and I feel very privileged to have the had the opportunity to spend the 2 weeks with them. I wasn't able to paddle much as I'd just had an operation on my wrist,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-79192222761258575862011-02-20T21:12:00.001Z2011-02-24T18:24:28.826Z

Don's excellent "Spirit of the People" video giving a taste of Spirit Dancer's journey up the west coast of Scotland and to Orkney in summer 2009 is well worth a look. It does take a while to load though. For those that don't know - Spirit Dancer is a 42 foot canadian canoe (i.e. very large!) She's been journeying around parts of the British coast and I've been lucky enough to spend a few weeks

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-39582759427301140082011-02-18T18:57:00.003Z2011-02-18T19:00:32.367Z

I can just imagine what kind of a display of the merry dancers we'd be getting if the weather was better!!! It's too cloudy, and the moon is going to be far too bright, but we're still getting something.... It's quite frustrating to realise how amazing this would be if only the weather would co-operate.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-72061446433785596672011-02-17T22:26:00.003Z2011-02-18T19:00:02.129Z

From a distance along the coast, looking towards Roseheaty (near Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire), you can see what looks like a lighthouse. However, it isn't a lighthouse - it's the Rosehearty Tower. I visited on a dull, grey, drizzly day... I was a bit intrigued by the tower, and wondered if it had ever been a lighthouse, so looked it up when I got home. It was an observation tower for the

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-74853087161115635462011-02-16T12:50:00.000Z2011-02-16T12:50:55.351Z

It's been quite stormy lately in Orkney, which has made for some impressive seas around the coastline. This is Yesnaby a few days after the strom. The waves are still pretty impressive and I can only imagine what they'd have been like a couple of days previously. As we were out west for the afternoon, we headed along to the Bay of Skaill to see if there were any kite surfers out, and happily

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-58582501657037093372011-02-16T08:45:00.002Z2011-02-16T08:56:55.549Z

I seem to have had a bit of a thing about lighthouses over the last few days, visiting the Lighthouse Museum in Fraserburgh (of which more later) and staying at Rattray Head ligthhouse. I also visited Buchan Ness lighthouse. It was established in 1827. The red bands were painted on in 1907, to allow mariners to distinguish it in daytime. It was auotmated in 1988, with the foghorn being

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-30042252703608544532011-02-15T19:03:00.000Z2011-02-15T19:04:51.153Z

Having visited gloups in Orkney and Shetland, it seemed appropriate to visit the Aberdeenshire version - Bullers o Buchan. (A gloup occurs where the roof of a sea cave has collapsed.)  It was a damp, drizzly, grey day. There's some old fisherman's cottages nearby. Apparently the fishing was only viable here due to the cove, where the boats could be beached. It wouldn't have been easy to haul

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-86554148338191959332011-02-15T14:25:00.002Z2011-02-15T14:30:30.633Z

I had heard on the radio that HMS Diamond was going to be in Aberdeen on Saturday, so before I went to check in for the ferry I went a drive out to the Torry Battery to get a view across to her. I have to say, I didn't exactly find her a nice looking ship... She was built in the Clyde and is the Royal Navy's newest warship - amazingly the Government haven't yet decided to scrap her, unlike the

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-41610965384473905912011-02-14T19:53:00.002Z2011-02-14T22:55:28.571Z

I had about an hour to spare in the afternoon, so decided to visit the beach. I went to Aberdour Bay, which turned out to be a very good choice as it was a lovely bay with some great arches to explore. This looks like it would be a fun section of coastline to explore by kayak. The only drawback was (as I found in pretty much the *whole* of Aberdeenshire) the number of irresponsible dog

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-77635261431525309102011-02-13T20:17:00.004Z2011-02-14T22:58:37.729Z

I was back staying at the bunkhouse at Rattray Head again this week. I was south for another interview, and also spent a bit of time exploring the area (more of that to follow in further blog posts.) This time I managed to get some dawn photos of the lighthouse. It was a beatiful morning, as the sky gradually lightened. Sadly, the early promise of good weather didn't last all day as it

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-36527303262526109042011-02-11T19:38:00.001Z2011-02-14T22:59:33.543Z

I enjoyed seeing the seal pups so much that I decided to go back again the next weekend. This time I spent over 2 hours watching them... I'm not quite sure where the time went! The first hurdle was to get past the seal which was totally blocking the path... This accomplished (by getting rather muddy climbing round above the path) I was able to get to the beaches again. It was interesting to

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-71067077836939027902011-02-10T19:32:00.001Z2011-02-14T23:00:31.648Z

Back in November I took my parents on a trip across the barriers to see the grey seal pups.  We had a lovely hour or so there ... though I could easily have stayed a lot longer! There were seals and pups the whole way along the beaches.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-56365402440096233902011-02-06T09:35:00.002Z2011-02-14T23:01:04.820Z

I love flying on a clear day, and at Christmas the flight down from Orkney to Glasgow was pretty much perfect.  Just leaving Kirkwall Airport - Holm in the foreground and looking at the cloud over the flow. Very early on in the flight we went into some cloud, but through gaps in the cloud had clear views, and once past Wick it was pretty much clear the whole way. Looking across towards

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-57725872889665829652011-02-05T09:10:00.001Z2011-02-15T17:44:32.947Z

Yes, I know it was over a month ago - but here's some photos I took in Arran at Christmas. Sunrise over Holy Isle It was quite strange actually - when I arrived Holy Isle was all white, but due to the angle of the sun at this time of year, the snow on Holy Isle was nearly all gone within a day while the rest of the village was still white. It felt slightly surreal standing in a white winter

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-90012907584322292942011-02-04T17:11:00.000Z2011-02-04T17:11:17.749Z

I recently ordered 2 (identical apart from colour) items from a well known company. They arrived separately. One was quite sensibly packaged in a small padded envelope which was ample protection, even from the sometimes rough treatment of the Royal Mail. The second arrived in..... well, judge for yourself...... Just how much packaging did they waste there???!!! Insanity or what? 

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-68244997156098775602011-02-03T22:35:00.001Z2011-02-04T13:37:52.032Z

No, this isn't something you all missed last night. This was on 21st December, but I'm only getting round to blogging about it now! My photos aren't good at all - but it was great to see this historic event all the same. I call it 'historic' because it's only the 2nd time in the last 2000 years that a lunar eclipse has occurred on the winter solstice. The last time it happened was in 1638. The

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-9209253968840351312011-01-30T22:25:00.001Z2011-02-15T17:44:51.613Z

I finally found the famous "30th February" gravestone in the kirkyard of St Magnus Cathedral a couple of weeks ago, and went back today to photograph it (getting caught in the rain in the process....) I was slightly intrigued by the fact that 2 out of the 3 gates to the kirkyard were padlocked shut - I don't recall ever noticing that before, and wonder if it's a new, and not very welcome,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-29342285789744923382011-01-29T15:03:00.007Z2011-02-15T17:45:44.541Z

Rather than stay in a hotel or B&B in Aberdeen, I opted for the comforts of the bunkhouse at Rattray Head. Actually, it was extremely comfortable and I'd highly recommend it! It's a couple of miles along a rather interesting road, but it's well worth the visit. The bunkhouse is in the old lighthouse keepers' accommodation on the shore behind the sand dunes, while the lighthouse is built on a

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-65682492908383747242011-01-29T00:06:00.003Z2011-02-14T23:03:03.811Z

Crovie (pronounced Crivie) is definitely worth visiting. It's a former fishing village, now mostly (sadly) holiday homes I believe. It's got an ever steeper road to it than Pennan has, and half way down there's a car park for visitor's cars, as only folk who are staying there are allowed to take their cars right down. There's not a lot of parking space at the bottom, and I can see why some folk

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-37855940674300245002011-01-28T23:22:00.005Z2011-02-15T18:36:01.835Z

As I was in the Aberdeen area for an interview and was going to have the best part of a day to fill the day after it before the long ferry journey home, and as Local Hero is one of my all-time favourite films, it seemed like a good opportunity to visit Pennan and "the" phone box. I've always fancied visiting Pennan, but to be honest I found it a little disappointing. It's a nice enough wee

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-20881567444890850982011-01-23T17:01:00.009Z2011-02-15T18:35:37.141Z

I hadn't realised until very recently that gannets started returning to their nest sites as early as January. Puffins don't return until later, so I had somehow assumed that gannets were the same, yet I sat in Arran at Christmas watching gannets (from Ailsa Craig) diving for fish - so I *know* there are at least some around all year. Something I need to find out more about I think. Anyway, some

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-60914739035646204042011-01-16T23:08:00.026Z2011-01-16T23:14:31.123Z

Looking back over my blog, I see that the entries for the trip to Shetland are rather hard to read as they're in reverse order. Which was no doubt fine for anyone following it as I wrote it, but not so good for anyone reading it now. So, taking a leaf out of Douglas Wilcox's book (or rather his blog), I'm attempting to link all the blog entries here in the right order. Shetland! Shetland part

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-25132247611609850562011-01-09T14:04:00.003Z2011-01-12T17:34:19.159Z

As I was in Arran over Christmas, on Boxing Day I headed along to Lamlash Pier to see the annual Boxing Day Dook. The brave (or foolhardy??) dookers were raising funds for the RNLI. The lifeboat crew were on hand to provide safety cover. It was rather cold; although the snow was mostly gone there was still slush underfoot, and the sleet started whilst we were watching the swimmers, but they

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-3468121124644130372011-01-02T13:52:00.017Z2011-02-15T17:47:20.845Z

Happy New Year to all my readers - yes, all 6 of you! It's been pointed out to me that yet again my blog is very out of date, so I've decided that one of my New Year's resolutions has to be to try to update it a bit more often!! Hopefully I'll find the time to do this, and keep it at least a bit more up-to-date. I'll also do a bit of a retrospective on last year and blog about a few things which

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-91903588673584934252010-10-19T11:10:00.002+01:002011-02-15T17:48:26.448Z

Got back to Lerwick about 10 past 3, so headed off to Tesco to stock up on fruit and veg. No point having to go to Kirkwall tomorrow just for shopping - and it'll be packed as it's County Show. Then went to Scoop and filled my new little cool bag (£3 in Tescos) with nice food like flavoured ice cream that I can't get at home!! Fingers crossed it's still ok when I get home...... (it was!! Hooray!)

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-7341393658715069392010-10-18T17:48:00.001+01:002011-02-15T17:50:40.047Z

Had an early start as cars started arriving at the marina very early - fishermen going out to their creels I guess. Headed along to the hide, but no sign of Mr Otter. So had a shower and breakfast. Took the tent down (it was SOAKING - both outside from rain and inside the outer flysheet from condensation? Was also a very very heavy dew last night - the tent was very wet on the outside when I went

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-91216275199311279182010-10-18T17:11:00.002+01:002011-02-15T17:52:13.585Z

Well after Whalsay and Lunna, surely that was enough for one day... I was looking forward to a possible trip to Noss the next day, but the day had more in store for me!!! I headed out to the west again and had a lovely drive to Walls, by Burrastow House and then round to Skeld. Took a detour to Westerwick - amazing cliffs and stacks, unexpectedly impressive. The view just kept getting

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-80086755987220351492010-10-17T21:00:00.002+01:002011-07-13T15:12:14.553+01:00

Arriving back on mainland (from Whalsay) at Lund I decided to head off towards Lunna - that's where the Shetland Bus was based. Saw Lunna House (where it was masterminded). The Shetland Bus was a Shetland based boat operation to and from Norway that took place during the Second World War. They used small fishing boats to land agents, radio sets, arms and ammunition and returned with refugees.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-65392908506730187672010-10-17T20:48:00.001+01:002011-02-15T17:55:00.224Z

It's Thursday morning so I'm headed off to Whalsay. Hadn't really considered visiting it previously - but Mark and Heather mentioned it. They hadn't really remembered Fetlar existed until I mentioned it to them either! I had a nice drive up but tried to go the scenic, coastal route through South Nesting and found a closed road (landslide) so had to retrace. Caught the ferry by the skin of my

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-88205502252226196412010-09-26T20:36:00.002+01:002011-02-15T17:55:42.912Z

Timed it beautifully (by pure chance) to get the ferry to Toft on Mainland. Then headed, via Lerwick for supplies, out to the Westings campsite. There's a great view but I'd forgotten it was so near the road, it was very weird hearing traffic from the tent (and certainly a change from the surf last night which was lovely to hear all night). One of the attractions of Westings was the attached

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-81796151370575564652010-09-26T20:32:00.002+01:002011-02-15T17:56:17.861Z

Well as I had to pass through Yell again on my way back to Mainland, I decided to drive round the other way this time, so I could enjoy the scenery. Several stops for photographs ensued... It was sunny, though still quite grey looking towards Unst & Fetlar. Some very pretty scenery, lovely light on the water and some great hay stacks.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-30688498455821665562010-09-26T15:53:00.001+01:002011-02-15T17:57:14.737Z

Woke to a lovely morning, had breafast and washed dishes (yes, Mum, in the sea!!!!!). Then I headed up to the campsite for toilets and shower. I know that seems a bit cheeky when I wans't staying there - but the tourist leaflet clearly says the public toilets are at the pier and campsite. And I paid for the shower. The campsite continued to underwhelm me - a lot of dead insects and the shower

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-65641343102094541552010-09-25T15:23:00.001+01:002011-02-15T17:59:22.411Z

After a very wet day on Unst, the weather got sunnier and brighter the nearer I got to Fetlar! Hopefully this was a good sign..... I headed for the campsite first but there was no sign of Mark and Heather. The campsite is really quite horrible - no view, and very wet and boggy. Walked over it looking for a flat spot - all I got was wet feet! Declined to stay!!! No wonder Mark and Heather

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-55224331040745793582010-09-13T13:56:00.002+01:002011-02-15T18:01:28.341Z

Morning at Uyeasound - my view from the tent. Mark lent me his kayak (P and H Cetus, very nice and just seemed to fit me nicely) and buoyancy aid, etc. and Heather took me out a short paddle. Did about an hour - just along the bay at Uyeasound, past the piers and all the fish farm stuff then a wee bit of coastline and 2 very small beaches, then back stright across the bay through the fish farm (

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-48481605432954475172010-09-12T18:46:00.001+01:002011-02-15T18:03:08.371Z

Monday - part 3!! It was about 8.30pm by now, and I was hungry after my walk, so I decided to find somewhere for a meal, rather than going back and cooking for myself. On the way to the village (Baltasound) I stopped off to visit the best bus shelter in the world!! Here's a 'normal' Shetland bus shelter - although even it's pretty good as it's got a chair in it to sit on while you're waiting.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-20401501784949390292010-09-12T18:34:00.004+01:002011-02-15T18:14:56.672Z

Still Monday...... I did manage to pack a LOT into my time in Shetland, yet I never felt rushed at all. The long, light days made it easier of course. When I arrived on Unst I headed straight for the campsite, to put up the tent while it was still dry, just in case.... Also did some hand washing and hung it on the line to dry, then headed off (at about 4.30pm) up to Hermaness Nature Reserve and

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-24389750692234257522010-09-12T12:18:00.002+01:002011-02-15T18:07:41.150Z

I was woken early by the extremely noisy starling alarm clock!!! Couldn't believe how much noise they were making, and they were landing on the tent, squabbling, scrabbling about and sh*tting on it too!!! Packed up and headed for the roundabout route to the ferry. Went a drive up to North Roe past Collafirth pier, which is one of the main landing ports for fish in Shetland (despite being miles

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-32207686073313890852010-09-05T21:32:00.004+01:002011-02-15T18:10:27.933Z

Was cooking beans on 'toast' when I spotted the kayakers - 11 of them, beatifully moving across in front of Da Drongs - photo opportunity!!!! Forget the beans, grab the camera..... Got a few pics, then they vanished so I ate lunch. Then I got to thinking - maybe they were having a late lunch too (it was 3pm!), was trying to work out if there was a way to get to the top of the cliffs to look

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-56158018273774872712010-09-04T19:22:00.002+01:002011-02-15T18:12:39.301Z

That's how the Eshaness area is described. It's a geopark, and has a great leaflet which shows walks and explains some of the geology. It was a cold morning, after a cold night! I headed up to the Eshaness Lighthouse to do the coastal walk, which took about 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Was very glad of my gloves, had them on for the first hour and a half!! And had 2 fleeces on and was very glad of them too!

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-75538052371855011532010-08-18T15:12:00.002+01:002011-02-15T18:16:49.103Z

It poured all night until 6.30am. The ground was very waterlogged and the tent soaking (though dry inside). I shook it a few times to try to get it to dry before I took it down! The midges were out in force; they initially followed me around while I had my breakfast below the tent, in the little garden. I could have gone into the building, but that somehow felt like 'cheating' and not 'real

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-51298130780592761602010-08-17T22:24:00.001+01:002011-02-15T18:18:24.122Z

I was initially a little unsure about setting off on my own, and camping on my own, as I've never put up a tent on my own before! However, I realised that I have a choice if I want to do things - I can choose to do them on my own, or I can choose not to do them, so off I headed.... The first stop after leaving the house was actually the Arts Theatre in Kirkwall, for the Phil Cunningham and Aly

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-13219241808271269852010-08-17T14:54:00.004+01:002011-02-15T18:19:20.887Z

I'm just back from an amazing 8 days camping in Shetland. It's been pointed out to me that my blog is now a year out of date, so this seems an appropriate time to resurrect my blog, and start blogging again - seeing as I don't have a class blog to update on a weekly (or more often) basis. I'll start by blogging about my time in Shetland, then return to the start of the summer and a great 3

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-14881108498662853192009-08-29T19:02:00.007+01:002011-02-15T18:20:12.365Z

It's a long time I've blogged, for a variety of reasons. I decided St Kilda Day would be a good time to restart - with some photos from my visit to St Kilda a few years ago. It's an amazing place and I'd love to go back sometime.... There's several interesting looking programmes on TV today, tomorrow and Monday to celebrate St Kilda day. Sadly, they're on BBC Alba so most of Scotland can't

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-47754648413905582362009-06-04T08:27:00.007+01:002011-02-15T18:20:55.131Z

I've wanted to go to the races for years and years ... in fact, probably since I read my first Dick Francis book about 25 years ago. I finally made it yesterday! It was a 'Summer Fun Raceday' at Ayr - £5 advance tickets for the grandstand - so even though I didn't get out of uni until almost 4pm, at £5 a ticket I didn't mind missing some of the races, and this was my last chance of going as I'll

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-10982552232887890502009-06-01T22:29:00.007+01:002009-06-01T22:41:20.603+01:00

As I had a lot of work from the placement to get written up and handed in this morning (first day of induction week) I couldn't go on the KKC (Kyle Kayak Club) weekend to Tayvallich - so I went to see KKC (Kirkwall Kayak Club) instead. KKC had an Orkney team in the Scottish Canoe Polo Championships at the Falkirk Wheel.I had a great time - I'd never been to the Falkirk Wheel before so I found

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-84030776360840154732009-06-01T08:10:00.003+01:002009-06-01T08:14:11.151+01:00

I've been far too busy and stressed during the last 2 weeks of my final placement to post any updates here. However, that's me now finished the placement - and I passed!!!! Passed the final hurdle and galloping down the home straight now .... just some pieces of work to hand in today and that's pretty much it - a newly qualified teacher!!!!We've got Induction Week now - a full week of lectures,

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-44787622005708047082009-05-15T22:50:00.004+01:002009-05-15T23:07:34.275+01:00

After my last post about the cheese, here's another about food. I was horrified tonight to discover that Walkers have started adding MILK to their salt & vinegar crisps. They were my favourite flavour - and about the only crisps I could eat. And I loooove crisps.... Definitely not amused!Why on earth do companies insist on adding things like milk and yeast to EVERYTHING as a flavouring? I really

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-82042203199562359622009-05-12T20:45:00.002+01:002009-05-12T20:50:12.276+01:00

After several years with no cheese - I had cheese on toast for tea tonight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!I saw a lactose free cheese advertised a few weeks ago, and finally one of the local supermarkets in Ayr has started stocking it (Morrisons). It's pretty good. It's not quite Orkney cheddar, or Arran cheddar, but it's MILES better than all the dairy free cheeses I've tried. It's a little rubbery in texture

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-69211527490553636302009-05-04T17:01:00.004+01:002009-06-01T08:14:39.359+01:00

Thought it was about time I posted here again. My wrists have been a little worse after seeing the specialist so it's been enough coping with placement without trying to do any extra like posting on my blog.The first week of placement has gone well. Busy, tiring ... but fun. I'm still really enjoying it - despite all the hours spent every evening on paperwork. It's a holida today so that meant an

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-56573822588023902562009-04-20T22:24:00.003+01:002009-04-20T22:27:25.386+01:00

I've been meaning to upload these for ages - I went to visit Morag of Irvine a few weeks ago. She looks across to Arran..

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-62287519529342971692009-04-19T22:23:00.007+01:002009-04-19T22:29:01.707+01:00

I was over on Arran and the weather was just gorgeous. Warm, sunny .... and a beautiful clear, still evening on Saturday.I was really wishing I was the one out there in that kayak!It was still lovely today, although a bit hazy. We went for a walk to King's Cross - I didn't even need a jumper. Warm Arran days are so much warmer than warm Orkney days...I somehow found the discipline to stay inside

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-59381111358345426632009-04-14T22:21:00.002+01:002009-04-14T22:24:06.005+01:00

Spotted Andrew about to go out kite surfing at Scapa, so we stayed to watch - and took a few photos.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-14408836100575018582009-04-13T14:14:00.005+01:002009-04-13T14:28:13.824+01:00

The weather forecast was totally wrong and we had a gorgeous day yesterday. It was actually warm enough to work in the garden wearing a t-shirt! It felt really spring-like, with the daffodils out and lambs in the fields.We made the most of the weather and headed off with our kayaks. My first trip out this year!!!Lots of seals.... My wrists survived it not too badly. Kye decided it was a good

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-19419662778498500032009-04-11T19:15:00.009+01:002009-04-11T19:24:47.521+01:00

The weather's not been very great since I got home for the holidays. It's mostly been raining; however we had a lovely calm day the other day when the sea was flat (rare for Orkney) so Kye went out for a short paddle, asa 2nd 'test drive' of a 2nd hand boat he's thinking of buying. He'd already been out in rougher weather, but I hadn't yet seen the Sirius out on the water. It's a nice looking

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-1113639534935025392009-04-03T18:02:00.004+01:002009-04-03T18:06:16.393+01:00

It's the end of term, and although I've got a lot of work to do over the holidays I was too tired to get anything sensible done, so I went for a walk along the coast to Greenan castle instead. Same kayaker as last week - DW's friend Alan. Looking back to Ayr from Greenan Castle. Getting ready for a nice sunset.

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946928198223861534.post-7294714173403252762009-03-29T19:57:00.005+01:002009-03-29T20:04:20.695+01:00

I got up early (the new 8am - yesterday it would have been 7am!) and got a few hours work done so I could go and see the Ploughing Match at Mossgiel, Mauchline. It was a lovely sunny day - but I was glad I had gone in the morning as the wind picked up later and it got really cold.I really enjoyed it -there were quite a lot of entires in the ploughing match - and also stalls, food (including

Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03843861400672556148noreply@blogger.com0