December 2020

3rd December – Sunrises are later at this time of year, so it’s not unusual to see it whilst we are out for an early walk. Even on a wet, overcast day it can still be bonny.

4th December – Had a few days of wet and cloudy weather, so the arrival of a bright spell brings out the walkers. A lovely day for December.

11th December – A very blustery day, H has been out walking up to the Links Battery with Jeanne and Gracie. Luckily Jeanne has a low centre of gravity or the wind would tip her into the puddle.

Photos can never do justice to windy days but the morning light is great looking across the water.

17th December – H received her second course of chemo yesterday, it was the first she has had in the Balfour. The Macmillan suite has been commandeered for Covid duties, so she had her treatment in the physio department. Unfortunately, that room doesn’t have a “call button” facility, so the nurses improvised with a little brass bell to call for assistance.

Actually, it’s quite like the one she uses at home to summon cups of tea, etc!

20th December – H was out for a walk early this morning and captured these shots of the sunrise on what has been a lovely day.

It was so nice today that we went to the Ring of Brodgar for a walk. It’s a good distance for H to build up her stamina. Here she is at her “totem” stone.

This is one of the ancient stones that Jeanne feels has a particular spiritual affinity with H. Jeanne comes to the stones every day with thoughts of peace, calm, harmony and healing, principally for the USA but, kindly, a meditative pause for H at this megalith.

23rd December – H has spent four hours in the Balfour watching these bags draining. This is the seventh pint of blood that she has had. They seem to work though and she will soon be back to normal in time for Christmas.

24th December – We had some snow last night and the town is looking quite picturesque today, albeit a bit chilly. This picture is looking across the habour from the Coplands Dock side. Our house is on the far shore, just to the right of the lamp column at the rear of the boat.

27th December – Taking advantage of a beautiful morning to go for a walk through the boat yard. Maggie-Ellen has been taken out of the water for the winter and is looking very colourful against the blue sky.

28th December – Another drop of snow on Hoy last night. This was taken around 1pm but a dramatic sky makes it look later.

Looking out of the window this evening, as the moonlight reflects on the water and the Graemsay ferry sets out on it’s last run of the day. Winter evenings can be really beautiful.