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 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).
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!).
1 comment:
In Westray south starts at Rapness pier.
I thought there was a Berkshire breeder in Sanday - check the Berkshire breeders' website.
The stillness is a bit worrying, quite apart from the fact it's impossible to get a fire going.
If you fancy a couple of Saddlebacks in the spring, let me know.
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