October 2021

1st October – The strong Autumn winds are with us now. They’re tough on the garden but produce lovely effects on the sea. This condition where the wind lifts a fine mist off the sea surface is known as smookin’, for obvious reasons.

2nd October – Still getting a few bright days and many locals are taking advantage to get their doors weatherproofed for winter. Cautionary notices have a different ring to them here.

As an aside, Orkney Library posted this old school photo of a celebrity alumnus of Stromness Primary School. The boy at far left on the back row is Robert Shaw of Jaws fame. Stromness clearly a good place to begin his maritime career.

6th October – It can be tricky getting vehicles on to the more awkward islands around Orkney, so the Royal Mail has to endure a fairly undignified lift on to the smaller ferries.

But technology is on it’s way to replace this. Trials are being carried out to see if drones can be used to fly the mail to the more remote corners of the County.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-58792064

9th October – A grey, dreich start to the day doesn’t deter Orkney Rowing Club from their early morning practise. These boats are used at sea and are pretty fast. There is fierce competition between Orkney and Shetland in racing and the local club trains in all weathers.

13th October – The conversion of the oil facility on Flotta to large scale hydrogen production looks promising, I’d consider a hydrogen car, the local council already use hydrogen vans. Orkney innovation marches on.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-58882752

Impression of a hydrogen facility on Flotta

18th October – Kirkwall’s Balfour Hospital has been in the news. Opened in 2019, it is Scotland’s first net-zero hospital, meaning zero carbon emissions.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-58928932

The curiously curved building has been inspired by the layout of the neolithic village of Skara Brae. I’m not sure if the hospital will still be there in five thousand years.

The BBC article featured Dr. Kevin Fox, a consultant cardiologist. It’s Dr. Fox that has been treating H’s cardio issues. Apparently he divides his time between Kirkwall and Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals in London. That’s quite a commute, not green, but it saves patients travelling to him and we appreciate his coming.

Dr Kevin Fox – Photo © Imperial College Healthcare

19th October – Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these Shorewatchers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

It’s been a drizzly day but, with a bit of creativity, Shorewatching can continue. Unfortunately it was too wet for the dolphins to put in an appearance.

(Apologies to the US Postal Service)

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28th October 2021

A very sad day for H and myself as we said goodbye to our beautiful little bird, Monty. Monty was diagnosed with cancer in August and it gradually wore him down. He made his last trip to the vet in Kirkwall this morning and was put to sleep.

Monty was a huge part of my life for 34 years and of H’s life for 26 years; a long time in any relationship.

He had always enjoyed life to the full and was full of fun and mischief. He had a wide vocabulary and knew how to use it. Our home seems a quiet and empty place today and, I’m sure, it will do for some time to come.

“Bye, bye. Draw the curtains.”