A tad breezy
Posted: Thursday, 08 November 2007 |
When I'm on the farm over the winter I live in the lovely wooden cabin (its like a posher version of a static caravan) next to the deer fields. It has a double bedroom, shower room, fitted kitchen and living room, plus heating etc. All very nice. However, it is wood, and this is Orkney....
So plodding over towards my bed last night i hoped that the forecasted wind would just hold off long enough for me to get a decent nights kip. At 1am the wind got up to a sufficient level that i had to find my ear plugs and put them in. After being woken up several times by strong gusts, i finally gave up at 7am when the whole thing began to shake. Pulling on my clothes and wiping the sleep from my eyes i find that the lawn chair which was sat outside is now firmly planted infront of the door. Bum. After a good deal of shoving and wiggling I manage to escape and head over to the farm, being blown all the way.
I did consider adding some lead shot to the chickens breakfast to make it harder for them to be blown away. Either that, or dip their feet in glue. Paxo the rooster and his harem - Korma, Jalfrezi and Coronation were all safely in the long byre annoying the sheep, so I sadly binned the idea.
No sooner had I got a cup of tea then the power goes off. Double bum. Both mine and Hazel's thoughts go to the safety of the boat in Stromness, so we jump in the car and head through to check everything is ok. A quick detour to the number one barrier (Churchill barriers link the mainland to the southern islands).
Next it was through to Stromness, with the Stennes Loch looking very lumpy indeed, a murky brown colour with rolling waves I was dreading to see the state of the harbour. Thankfully the harbour turned out to be flat calm due to the direction of the wind. Off to Julia's for a nice brekkie and a huge Caramel Mocha
After this we both want to go and see what is happening at Yesnaby, a local beauty spot with huge cliffs. Approaching the cliff top car park i can feel the butterflies in my stomach flapping around. I know the truck weighs a fair bit, but thats an awful strong wind!
After that it was up to the Bay of Skaill
And finally to the breathtaking Birsay
Finally back home to make sure that the farm was still in one piece and the power back on. We have eggs in the incubator so hopefully it wasnt off for too long.
So plodding over towards my bed last night i hoped that the forecasted wind would just hold off long enough for me to get a decent nights kip. At 1am the wind got up to a sufficient level that i had to find my ear plugs and put them in. After being woken up several times by strong gusts, i finally gave up at 7am when the whole thing began to shake. Pulling on my clothes and wiping the sleep from my eyes i find that the lawn chair which was sat outside is now firmly planted infront of the door. Bum. After a good deal of shoving and wiggling I manage to escape and head over to the farm, being blown all the way.
I did consider adding some lead shot to the chickens breakfast to make it harder for them to be blown away. Either that, or dip their feet in glue. Paxo the rooster and his harem - Korma, Jalfrezi and Coronation were all safely in the long byre annoying the sheep, so I sadly binned the idea.
No sooner had I got a cup of tea then the power goes off. Double bum. Both mine and Hazel's thoughts go to the safety of the boat in Stromness, so we jump in the car and head through to check everything is ok. A quick detour to the number one barrier (Churchill barriers link the mainland to the southern islands).
Next it was through to Stromness, with the Stennes Loch looking very lumpy indeed, a murky brown colour with rolling waves I was dreading to see the state of the harbour. Thankfully the harbour turned out to be flat calm due to the direction of the wind. Off to Julia's for a nice brekkie and a huge Caramel Mocha
After this we both want to go and see what is happening at Yesnaby, a local beauty spot with huge cliffs. Approaching the cliff top car park i can feel the butterflies in my stomach flapping around. I know the truck weighs a fair bit, but thats an awful strong wind!
After that it was up to the Bay of Skaill
And finally to the breathtaking Birsay
Finally back home to make sure that the farm was still in one piece and the power back on. We have eggs in the incubator so hopefully it wasnt off for too long.
Comments
You've captured the feel of the day perfectly, DOAD. Driving through to Kirkwall the white horses on Stenness Lock were smoking accross the Brig o Waithe and the swaaps of wind were just a bit scary in a small car. (I wasn't driving you understand...I'm a cat.)
Flying Cat from strapped in
Great photos of the sea, DoaD. It must be pretty scary though in reality, especially if you're worried about your boat. That Footpath sign must be a heavy-duty one!
Jill from EK
Brilliant. I used to bide near Skaill, and every time there was a westerly storm I would drive doon to the beach and just sit and look. Just amazing.
Ruthodanort from Unst
DoaD, I really like your use of words. I always enjoy your posts, both the writing,and the pictures. You have a real talent.
CVBruce from CA, USA
So where,s the wind turbines when you need them?.........
Jimmy from faefaraway
The sea is a powerful thing and from Shapinsay we couldn't see a great lot of it but there was a boat that sat off the coast all yesterday and I for one wouldn't have wanted to be on it.
Barebraes from Shapinsay
Oh you can't use wind turbines in ... wind!
Flying Cat from nicely feathered
WOW great pics reminds me when i was a kid going to shetland sometimes where the atlantic and north sea meet the boat would rock a lot---i loved it!
carol from where its windy but not that bad
Well it has all finally calmed down a bit, whcih is a good thing, since Hazel and Carolyn are off on the ferry today!
H from in the office
Ooh, like the coffee, although taking a pictureof your coffee is nearly as bad as all the other photo's on IB, not mine though, mine are different. Nice cofffeeee
Tws from The Coffee Shop
The best in Stromness.
Flying Cat from roastbeef&yorkshire with chips and large Americano
Glad to hear you didn't suffer too much with the wind. When I heard the forecast I thought of all of you on Orkney. I have been lucky on my visits not to have gales blowing and I can only imagine how scary it is. Love the pics of Birsay.
Margaret Lyall from Cupar
Very nice pics. I wish I could have witnessed it all.
mjc from NM,USA
After coming to Orkney in May 2006 for 8 months, somehow I am still here. Running the MV Valkyrie in the summer and helping on the farm in winter is now my life. 
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