October 2025

13th October – Things have been a bit hectic lately but I’m determined to not let a month go by without posting something.

After a series of delays and complications in ARI, our trip to Aberdeen lasted an extra three days. H was being well looked after but the strain of everything was difficult for her. The one good thing was that we missed Storm Amy, it by-passed Aberdeen and we never noticed it! We are lucky to have good friends and neighbours who made sure things were secured in our garden, such as wheelie bins and plant pots.
The storm wrecked the willows in next door’s garden. The trunk on this one split down to the ground and had to be completely cut back.

Willows, though, are pretty indestructible and I’m sure new shoots will soon appear.

H is continuing her treatment at the Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall and that seems to be going well. Unfortunately, we have both caught colds and have been laid low for a few days. Our friend, Marion, popped round with some flowers for H and they certainly brighten the place up,

22nd October – Not much to report on the home front. H and I are still laid low with health problems. Also, the weather has been poor, so we’re not going out at all.

One bit of excitement happened yesterday. As the Hamanavoe ferry was arriving from Stromness into Scrabster, a large piece of construction equipment rolled off its trailer and damaged some vehicles. Luckily no-one was hurt.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7517eg4d24o

28th October – I’m keeping the team at the Balfour busy at the moment. Went through the CT scanner this afternoon. It was an interesting experience in an impressive piece of equipment.

Still no interesting pics or reports from Orkney. October has been wet and miserable and I’ll be glad to see the back of this month.

29th October – The constant wet weather throughout October and the recent heavy rain have been too much for Kirkwall’s drainage system. This is the junction from the Hatston area on to the Stromness road.