4th July – Not an auspicious start to July. My lateral flow test is still positive, six days after the first result. The line is a lot fainter but that is still positive.
In spite of our best efforts H picked up the virus and has been really suffering. She went to the Balfour last Friday for an intravenous course of anti-virals but she is still under the weather.
Frustratingly, I feel fine but still can’t go out to the shops or meet with people.
6th July – We don’t know the full details yet but the MV Alfred en route from Gill’s Bay to St Margaret’s Hope ran aground on the island of Swona yesterday. Weather conditions seemed perfect, so it’s a mystery as to what happened.
The vessel was refloated and escorted into the Hope by the Thurso and Longhope lifeboats.
It’s not a laughing matter, as I think some injuries were sustained, but I am reminded of a landing I once had in Gill’s Bay. As the boat collided with the pier, quite hard, a local wag commented on the skippering:
” Aah, he’s done this crossing that many times, he knows exactly what he’s hitting!”
(The photos above are from the BBC website and the Orcadian Online)
14th July – Mid July and summer still hasn’t shown it’s face. I don’t necessarily want a heatwave but it would be nice to go outside without needing gloves!
Our local newspaper has summed up the mood nicely.
17th July – It’s that time of year again in Stromness, the world famous Shopping Week. Seven days of events, fun and games. Hopefully the weather will improve and attract the visitors. The week starts with the Shopping Week Hack.
It was nice to get a wave from our friends Davey Prentice and his wife Kayte as the procession passed the house.
Scapa Views 
Just dropping a line to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading your blog and photographs.
Hope the ‘rona has left you both now, and all recoverd.
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Thanks, Mark, we are all clear now.
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