December 2021

2nd December – H took her afternoon stroll along the shore and recorded this scene, the tide is out and starlings are feeding in the exposed tangle. Perfectly camouflaged, they chatter amongst themselves as they forage.

The peacefulness of this, with the gentle chattering is lost on those that insist on wearing headphones whilst out walking.

7th December – This afternoon, we took a stroll down to the Pier Art Centre to view the winter exhibition. Local artists have an opportunity to display, and sell, their pieces in the run up to Christmas. There’s a lot of nice work but we didn’t part with with any cash this year.

As H is still shielding, we were grateful that the gallery was very quiet and we almost had the place to ourselves.

16th December – Not much festive cheer to report. This sad story is being reported on the BBC. Dozens of weak, dying or dead puffins are being washed up around Scapa Flow.

Some are being looked after by vets, Flett & Carmichael, in Kirkwall. The cause of the problem is not clear but recent storms may have prevented them finding food.

17th December – After a long period without cetacean sightings, I was treated to a pod of Risso’s dolphins at Ness Point.

There were around ten animals in total and the group included two or three juveniles. Risso’s are, probably, the commonest dolphin in the waters around Orkney, although we do get visits from Common dolphins.

Here we can see an adult with a calf alongside, the difference in size of the dorsal fins showing the much smaller juvenile.

21st December – A stroll along the South Pier gives a good view of part of the Stromness waterfront, with the Pier Art Centre at the left. A Barbara Hepworth sculpture just visible in the courtyard.

24th December – H has made this painted wood block to wish all our friends and families a very happy Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year.

26th December – A tsunami of cloud envelopes Hoy, as seen from Stromness golf course.

31st December – After a fairly stressful year of loss, sadness and worry, we will grit our teeth and head into 2022 with determination and optimism.

A nice quiet day here at Ness Point giving us an opportunity for reflection. Geddit?

This will be our last post of the year, so we’ll take this opportunity to wish family and friends a very happy New Year. Bliadhna Mhath Ùr