Saturday 24 November 2012

Still got it. Warbeth coast walk, Orkney

Bit of an old favourite jaunt today, this walk around the headland in Stromness, Warbeth Orkney. We've done it lots, its absolutely stunning and its still got it. Like any good familiar relationship, it's always there and constant and full of surprises to keep you on your toes and wanting for more.
 Having finished work and clamboured out the car - the track takes you down along side the cemetary towards the beach. Ok so the track doesn't give much away aside the pot holes, but just you wait. A peek over the fields towards the shore reveals what's to come.
 The sound of the crashing waves lie ahead - calling us downwards.........in the far distance, if you squint really hard, Canada. No, you can't really see it but beyond the horizon thousands of miles away it is there.
 Its 3 o'clock on a Saturday afternoon. Just finished work and the sky is clear, although the lights going fast its time to get out and enjoy the day whilst you can. It's that time of year, the days growing ever shorter. Making the most of the light is important, every walk is precious. Especially when the wind abaits, the rain stays shy and the light is with you. At least for now.
 The blurble of sheep in the next field through the barbed wire, mingle with the crashing sounds of the waves. Island sounds.
 The shore here is littered with seaweeds from the storms, so we head left towards the coastal path along the shallow cliffs looking over to the edge of Hoy and amble towards Stromness.
 Seals and sea birds cavort about in the distance, just out of reach but familiar in their calls. 
 We walk here often, its a familiar kind of a jaunt, we're like old friends. These paths and views have seen joy and sorrow. They've been walked with many a friend old or new, colleague and visitor. They've seen my children turn from babies into young adults. I like these shores. They are perfect for bike rides, blustery walks or ambles like today.
 I never tire of the views, the sounds and the ever changing light. In the summer the setting sun reaches further round west, so its pleasing to see the light dancing behind Hoy at this time of year. Nice to witness the light going, whilst in summer eternal light is the more familiar tale.
 The sleeping dragon of Hoy in the distance makes for a shadowy figure slumbering in the sound between the isles. Slowly the sun sets, sneaking behind the back of the giant.

 Looking inwards to the land of the island, the sky seems to be full of texture and dances before us. 
 These open scenes are typical of Orkney big skies and open long vistas over agricultural land, houses scattered in the landscape like pebbles.
 And the birds call us back to reality and the shore again takes our attention.
 First we look to the south west and the setting sun. Next over the slated shoreline to the north west the rollers coming towards the shore. 
 And then forwards as the pathway is narrow and whilst not steep by any stretch of the imagination, needs attention........
 The familiar friend leading the way. Peedie ensures our safety at all times, whilst Haggis (who was IN this picture initially) ended up behind the camera at breakneck speed. He's a little camera shy and far too curious when you drop to hunkers and try and see life from their perspective. 
 The boys always forge ahead, just in case, you know, its not safe. Nothing to do with adventures ahead, no no not at all. They always put our safety first! As you can tell its such a busy place, there's bound to be dangers lurking around every corner.
 Like sleeping rocks in the sea pretending to be monsters or gannets up high surveying our progress.
 Or sea snakes, lurking on the shore. The perfect addition to any seaside garden, once tamed.
 And all the while the sea dragon sleeps under a setting autumn sun.
We amble further chatting all the while. Our life happens here and as always, this coastline has still got it.

22 comments:

  1. beautiful blog wee one. was a privilege doing the walk with you.

    Mr F

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    1. Mr F, told you, familiar is still exciting. Always. It just works. Like tattie pieces.

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  2. You do realise that every time I read about one of your walks now I'll be earmarking it for when we're up! xx

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    1. Robyn when you arrive, they're already waiting for you. No need to earmark, we've already done the 'list'. That 'to do's' for when special folks come up. :)

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  3. Pah! You didn't wave to me!! I love that walk too. Haven't done it for a while. MUST revisit..... Thanks for reminding me :-) PS - I chuckle when Mr F calls you "wee one".... cos I think of you as Big... you're at least 2 inches taller than me..... :-)

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    1. Hey lady with the very red shoes. I waved. I just ran out of camera battery by the time I waved as it was so gorgeous I had taken 30 piccies before we even got to your island! I stole the dragon island from you, I hope you don't mind.

      You are the only person I'm taller than. Secretly I'm proud of that.

      Honest.

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  4. Hold on a minute.....I'm starting to think there are a lot of short people up there....I'm going to feel well at home, aren't I!

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    1. As long as I can introduce you to a few lovely folks tall or short you'll feel very at home! Sian's on a different island, but its very doable when you're here!

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  5. I do enjoy your walks Fay, you are very lucky to have not one but two bodyguards. Keep well from a tall man in a short body.

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    1. Ah Alistair I'm a long lady in a dumpy body, so we know each other fine. I enjoy sharing them and enjoyed hte park with you so I must pop on by and comment!

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  6. So beautiful. There is something wonderful about getting to know one area really well. And you are so right, at this time of year every moment of daylight, particularly if it is sunny too, is precious and to be treasured. We try to head down to the beach even if only for a few minutes but today for almost an hour of sitting watching the sun play with the cliffs and the waves.

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    1. I think once you start a romance with the sea Janet it never leaves you and becomes part of your soul. Daylight is precious and I'll be cartwheeling when the 21st comes and goes and the light is kinder and longer each day promising so much more! I'm glad you've the sea close, perfect for you.

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  7. Fay, how beautifully you've written this! I love it. I love your dragon, and your sea snake ... the rocks and the sky are pretty spectacular too :)

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    1. Jan thank you its a pretty specacular place, I'm lucky to share it.

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  8. Beautiful photos, as always.

    I'd like to nominate you for a Liebster Award. I hope that you feel that you can accept it as I have been following your blog forever and love your posts.

    Details are here.

    http://luffymoogan.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/luffy-and-the-liebster-award/

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    1. Oh Luffy thank you so much. Thats really kind. I feel as if you've all been a part of things forever too which is lovely. I saw my old dyslexic support lady today and told her how much writing this has helped to turn around my fear of words. She did look pleased. So thank you for the nomination and I do accept. I will write something up soon. You're really kind.

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  9. Loved the pics and the walk with you. Natalie http://sacredtouches.wordpress.com/

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    1. Natalie thank you very much. I do love a good walk!

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  10. Lucky you have those Guard Dogs, what with sleeping dragons and all. Lovely description-- I could hear the sheep, and the waves... If you took that blue snake home well I just hope you have some kind of snake control unit to contain him with, he looks kinda long and I've heard that blue ones can be untrustworthy.

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    1. Linnew dearest the guard dogs are currently star shaped (I kid you not) on the rug infront of the fire. The sheep and the waves were loud so I'm not surprises you heard them! I didn't take the blue snake home, I was good, I don't have the space for it (and they do continue to grow) and you're right the blue ones are bad. The fishermans bothy next to this cottage has many of them contained in metre square boxes, I run passed them everyday, just to be sure.

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  11. It's my favourite walk too - what a beautiful description and fantastic photos. Whatever time of day/year, it's always magic. I only get up to Orkney a couple of times a year if I'm lucky, and save this walk for the last day of my week's hols! Love your blog.

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    1. Hello Lutra - (meaning otter?) I use to do this walk everyday when I worked in Stromness - I do miss it now I'm not there every day. I'd struggle to save it til the last day but i know why you would. Lucky you getting upto Orkney a few times a year. Thanks for the lovely compliment!

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