Surf's up, wind's down

It's been a scary few days on Sanday. The wind has dropped! This is a cause for comment and a sort of uneasiness, we've got so used to the gales of the last couple of weeks that we thought it was the norm. Beautiful clear skies and views to other islands have opened up. We can see over to Westray from our (rented) house. Stronsay, Eday and North Ronaldsay are all easily visible from different bits of our island.

We went on a cliffwalk to admire some baby grey seals. A bit like a cross between a maggot and a slug but still cute. The mothers take off into the sea as soon as they see you but the baby's lie there looking a bit pathetic, we didn't hang around long so as not to scare them. Here's a typical shot of a mum and pup:

We took hundreds of pictures, including some arty ones with posh new camera, I'll put them on a photo sharing site called Flickr at some point. We've noticed that practically every time we've walked along a beach there have been a seal or two bobbing in the waves, checking us out! We can't tell between the two sorts yet (common vs grey).

The dog is amazing, I can't believe ho she hasn't died of hypothermia! She is in the sea at every opportunity, then dries off chasing the zillions of rabbits that live here. There will be fewer once I get an air rifle! Looking forward to rabbit pie, pate, stew - yum yum!

On a serous note we appear to have bought a house. A cute white stone cottage, which will have two bedrooms when we've finished with it. It has some nice outbuildings, a walled garden and comes with eight acres and three chickens. I'll post some pictures next time. The couple who own it have brought up three kids on the island and want to go travelling, they are incomers like us. We are busily hatching plans. We hope to take ownership by the end of Jan. then can knock down a few internal walls, maybe put in central heating etc. Very exciting!

More soon, dinner time - local beef stew. I'm meeting up with the local pig farmer later in the week, may ask him if he needs a partner. He's based very close to our new house, the pigs are a bit boring (Large Whites I think) but at least they are outdoor reared. We're going to try some seafood next week - local fresh crab £1.20 (£1.50 cooked!), lobsters for £4.00. I hope to get some mussels soon but the tide's been high during the day when we've organised ourselves to go out walking.

Hope all's well down South (that is everywhere from John o'Groats down!).

First entry

Friday 21st November

Weather: Alternate blizzards and beautiful sunshine

Soundtrack: Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode Film Review

We're here!!! First entry. I thought it might be easier to send pictures and boring general stuff to you via this blog rather than sending loads of individual emails to friends and family. Please email for amplification on specific areas. I've stolen the format from a chap on Westray who has an excellent blog - look here: http://the-edge-of-nowhere.blogspot.com/

We've just about got ourselves organised in sunny Sanday. We've confined all the boxes full of books and records to a spare bedroom and are slowly sorting out the millions of bits of paper that we seem to have accumulated but couldn't organise before moving. There was a major problem when we arrived here in that we assumed the house was unfurnished ---- but no! Beds, arm chairs, sofas etc etc. So we have two houses' worth of furniture in one place - it's cosy! The problem would not be so bad if the garage was dry and had heat and light. Still, it's a nice spot and the house is very snug.

This is the view over the computer monitor that I'm typing on

Five minutes later the sheep were hardly visible for snow!

We went to an excellent little concert in a local pub yesterday evening. The Sanday fiddle club - about 12 fiddlers - nice sounds and a very relaxed atmosphere.

Birds - one of the reasons I wanted to come was to see different birds. Highlights so far have been a male hen harrier (didn't have camera) and this sweet little redwing searching about for insects outside the window (sorry it's a bit blurred!)

A few people have asked about the Land Rover. It seemes completely recovered from it's traumatic journey up here. In case you don't know the fan belt died South of Birmingham causing some collateral damage. Here's a picture of the Maroon Monster for Steve.

We are going to see some baby seals on Sunday and to a Fair at the local school. We hope to meet the local pig farmer there to hatch some schemes for next year (and to buy some local pork!). People ingeneral very nice but not at all pushy or nosy. Everyone seems to know who we are before we open our mouths! There are supposed to be 500 people on the island but I'm sure I've been bombarded with more than a thousand names - not my strong point. Added to that there are few (obvious) landmarks and most of the houses have no signs outside. You need to be telepathic to know who/where is being talked about. An example might go:

- You need to ask Frankie about mutton

- Where does he live?

- Second house after the turn, if you come to Anchor cottage you've gone too far

- Where's that

- By the loch

- Does it have an anchor outside?

- Not for many years gone by...........

Still, it's small enough that you can't go far wrong and you usually come across interesting stuff by mistake.

That'll do for now - out into the bleak mid-winter now for milk and eggs at the shop 200 yards up the road - I may be quite some time......