Hogmanay 2018 in Stromness
This is our third Hogmanay here. Our celebrations tend to be fairly muted but I still seem to feel a bit fuzzy on New Year’s Day!
2017 was a special year in Stromness, this is the 200th anniversary of Stromness becoming a Burgh of Barony (don’t ask) in 1817 and a number of events have been organised throughout the year by the excellent Per Mare committee (Per Mare is the town motto – By Sea). This Hogmanay saw the revival of the Yule Log, an old street game last played in 1937. It involves two teams, Soothenders and Northenders – 40 men and women in each team, taking part in a tug-of-war where the teams attempt to pull a 400kg log to their respective ends of the town. To be clear, that’s a 400kg log PLUS the struggling opponents to be dragged about 100 yards along the street. The Soothenders made it look quite easy and won convincingly. Helen and I are Soothenders – hurray!!
The event was well attended and hopefully the Yule Log can continue as a Stromness tradition, or at least until somebody is maimed!?
January Generally
Following the jollities of Christmas, January is always a bit of a miserable month. Here the days are still fairly short and the weather swings between grey skies with wind and rain and beautiful sunny days without a cloud in the sky. We are, however, regularly treated to spectacular sunrises and sunsets at more civilised hours than in the longer summer days.
We have had a bit more snow than usual this year and colder temperatures have made it stay longer. Hoy always looks great and even Graemsay got a dusting.
January is a time when the island’s ferries go for their annual maintenance and service. This year our faithful Hamnavoe was replaced with the huge freight carrier Helliar. Hamnavoe is a nice, stable ship and, generally, provides comfortable crossings. Hopefully, it won’t be out of service for too long.
Stromness is known for the old, narrow twisty streets. The principal road through the town has this slab and cobble arrangement. The slabs were too slippery for carts pulled by horses, so the central cobbled strip was added to allow horses to get a grip. The streets are quiet at this time of year and the locals can enjoy a stroll without being run over.
January saw H’s Dad celebrate his 90th birthday in Kettering and she went south for the celebrations. A great opportunity to catch up with the family. A long journey, though, ferry from Kirkwall to Aberdeen followed by train to Peterborough. Fortunately, she had a decent journey in both directions.
Scapa Views 