October 2024

3rd October – One of those days when the sun is just at the right angle to catch the lamp on the lighthouse, making it appear lit.

18th October – We visited the Ship of Fools gallery in Kirkwall today, they were hosting an exhibition entitled “Lost at Sea”. Featuring dozens of excellent model ships, clever lighting and backdrop videos it highlighted the perils of life at sea.

It was great to catch up with Ralph Robinson as well, he had an exhibit named “Harlequinade”, highlighting the ongoing plight of refugees.

22nd October – Not much happening during stormy October. I thought I’d dig out this archive photo of engineers trialling designs for the new bridge from Stromness to Graemsay.

25th October – The winds have died down and Hoy Sound was like a millpond this morning.

I was able to do some watching and was rewarded by this little group of common dolphins. They’ve been in the area for at least a week but I’ve not been able to catch up with them, until today.

26th October – In what is probably a breach of copyright, Stromness is taking a leaf out of Lerwick’s book and is staging it’s own Viking fire festival.

A Jarl squad has been brought from Shetland and casual participants can purchase a flaming torch for £10 (proceeds to charity). Setting off from the Ferry Inn, they progress through the town to the south end, where a Viking ship is duly incinerated in the customary fashion.

H went down as they passed Well Park and took this short clip of the spectacle, led by the Stromness Pipe Band.
To be honest, Vikings don’t seem as scary as they used to be!