Tuesday 5 February 2013

Weather report: Wear Jumpers

The lady on the Radio today, when asked for the forecast simply stated 'Wear jumpers and something waterproof'. Enough said really. After a series of rather blustery days, its reassurring to know that these will be continuing. Now, those of you whom are not strangers to my ramblings will know a high degree of weather related moaning generally accompaines photographs. So, you'll be glad to know today is no exception.
Having been awake for what seemed like the entire night with the roof rattling like something out of the Wizard of Oz, feeling a bit more like Dorothy, again. it seemed that wrapping up did seem in order today. With an afternoon free, despite the warnings of jumpers being required and waterproofs, I decided it was only fair to do a bit of wave hunting, between the squalls. So I wrapped up!
The west side of the island is notoriously rugged and is peppered with a series of large sea cliffs and bays nestled between. Whilst if I'm honest I'd have preferred to go to my favourite spot at Yesnaby and walk along the cliffs watching waves, I'm not supposed to be walking 'off road'. I promised the Dr. So I headed out the the Bay of Skaill, which is where Skara Brae lurks at the south side of this bay.
Given its rocky too I can't walk there either, but it was fine to sit a while a look at the waves crashing about.
Big seas, excuse those more out of focus photographs, I am firmly blaming the wind and the optical digital zoom on the camera being maxed out, but you get the idea. The sea is big today, well worth a look.
I carried on up the northern west coast towards Birsay Bay, where Bob grows his tomatoes under a fine array of glasshouses, nested safely behind sand dunes by the shore. And, its up for sale.......details here.  Unfortunately I went past a house where the fence had been ripped from the ground, wind netting and all. Poor chap, I hope he doesn't lose heart. The winds unkind to gardeners here. But still we try.
A favourite place to wave watch is out by the northwest just passed the tiny village of Birsay, overlooking the Brough of Birsay.
Now we've been here many times, but its always breathtaking to see a stormy sea here whatever the time of year - it can be stormy here in summer too.
So we had a bit of a wander and were watching waves crashing over cliffs.
The footpath. whilst very wet, was flat and kind to those with a dodgy leg, here she is, that dodgy-legged person who's seeing the surgeon tomorrow.  She's also wearing Mr Flowers hat and the longest scarf in the universe. But shh, don't tell him.
And, we watched the waves a while until our cheeks stung with the rain and our fingers went numb and we could hardly stand up against the wind any more. Time for home I think! And what's better than a nice warm sit in front of the fire? Well there's room for all of us..if only Peedie would move over and stop thinking about last time we had adventures with puffins on the same cliffs.
Or perhaps a snuggle on the sofa........Haggis is a fan of the flowery cushions, there's a promising career ahead of him I think.
And as the wind whistles down the chimney, the doors whistle and the windows rattle. We're nice and cosy inside, you see all that free wood in the shape of square logs I chop comes in handy!
Keep warm if you've got bad weather and until next time - remember heed the advice of the lady on the Radio 'Wear jumpers and something waterproof'!
 
And if you'd like to visit another local blog, often besieged with our local weather. Please pop over and visit Sian who's currently most likely, like the rest of us, hibernating, due to bad weather!

And a hearty hello to those extra followers we've picked up along the way. Nice for you to pop along and see us. Don't be shy leave a comment and introduce yourself and your blogs - for those of you who do partake in blogging, thanks for linking in here your blogs are really interesting! Tell us more about yourself..........Whilst the page views are great - be nice to hear from more of you when you've time! x
 

26 comments:

  1. as you're probably aware, i love wind and high seas as long as I'm on shore and sometimes even inside. I have enjoyed reading and watching videos about the immense waves you've been having off the coast of Scotland. you've got some great pictures here and I fully appreciate you going out and giving us a report. the simplicity of "wear jumpers and something waterproof" made me smile. very apt words. your house looks lovely and cosy.

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    1. Radio Scotland is famed for its down to earth approach to weather reporting. I'm glad you like the views and immense waves. I must admit I rather selfishly dashed out and went a viewing waves. In the days when we first arrived in Orkney we often charged here there and everywhere looking at the sea and walking. Nowardays, with the price of fuel a trip out JUST to see waves seems very decadent. How the pressure of some things affect life. Sad but true, these days adventures are combined with trips for shopping/work/school.

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  2. Thank goodness for A Woodburners and B Dogs. I have only visited the Orkneys in the summer and boy can the weather blow you away.

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    1. The wind blows that's for sure. And yes - both dogs and woodburners are a god send. Although I hear cats are less smelly than dogs and often enjoy a good walk......Nice to see you!

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  3. Those waves are impressive! I also had a sleepless night last night due to scary sounds coming from the roof. Your fire looks very inviting :)

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    1. Oh I hope you slept when it quietened down? The fire is very inviting and keeps me a foraging on high shores for wood for it for free......

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  4. I love sea shots and you have some beautiful sea captures. Cold weather or warm, it is nice to get out and see the beautiful scenes.

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    1. I couldn't bear to live far from the sea - I'm currently in negoatiation with Mr Flowers in this regard.

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  5. Fantastic stormy sea pictures, not surprised you felt the need to go out hunting for those! Lovely snuggly scarf too....won't mention the hat.....shhhhh!

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    1. Shhh the hat, no don't mention it. Um the shots are rather wobbly I'm afraid and far to long distance to be very cunning like yours. The scarf is very much twice the size of me and a gift to promote my wombling...........*whistles theme song*

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  6. Smashing shots! It's cold down here, so I can only imagine how cold it is further north! The dogs certainly have the right idea!

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    1. The wind right now is cutting and from the north/east - its not friendly at all.

      Funnily enough the dogs are not a fan of the wind, Peedie objects highly to it. Sensible dog.

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  7. OOoh thanks for the link. You've been braver than me and that's with your wooden leg!! I've only ventured out to feed hens and barn cat (extra rations, lots of rice and sphaghetti for hens and lashings of food for barn cat). Meanwhile Button sleeps indoors till it's nearly midnight then decides she needs to go out for a pee just as I'm warm and toasty in bed! And then the wind drops and you think you've gone deaf overnight....

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    1. Overnight deafness - that's so true. And as I'm an avid reader (and rubbish commenter) I thought I would be trying to redeem myself by a wee linky. :)

      Button needs a key I think.............

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  8. Hope the surgeon had good news for you Fay, it must be driving you nuts not being able to walk over rough ground. Good job wave watching is so much fun, I find it positively mesmerising. Great hat - I think you should claim it...

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    1. Oh great news indeed Janet - I'm allowed my leg brace off gradually over the next wee while and have started physio (which hurts). I love wave watching - the hat is gorgeous but I do have a collection to rival some folks who love shoes. I'm in the teens if not the twenties of hats. My bad.

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  9. LOL, if only more weather reports told us what to wear along with the weather details. I would really appreciate knowing some days what level of winter jacket is required.

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    1. I know, it would be handy to know when to layer up (probably always), when to carry suncream or when to take both and an umberella (but not here, we don't do umberella's here - they are for 'sooth').

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  10. Brrr indeed! Gorgeous pics of the sea and the waves there, and I love that photo of you all snuggled up :) Move over Peedie indeed (but don't go too far). Looks lovely and cosy in front of your wood burner there xx

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    1. Ah Jenni soon you'll be cosied up next to Peedie in front of it yourselves. Look forward to your visit.

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  11. Lovely pics lass! I love that photo of you all wrapped up in a cheerful scarf :) Move over Peedie indeed (although don't go far, got to stay close by for a cuddle) xx

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    1. The cheerful scarf is so lovely and heavy its only worn when its really really cold (ie most days at the moment). Peedie waves a paw.

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  12. Since you've asked, I'm reading from Fairbanks, Alaska! My name is Faye as well (although with the added "e"), and I've been reading along on your blog for a few months now. It's absolutely lovely and gives me plenty of fuel for Orkney daydreaming. Thank you for sharing it all with us!

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  13. Loving the crashy waves and wind from the comfort of my chair by the wood burner in France. Wish we were close to the sea - I do miss it.

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  14. The blustery weather you experience is pretty much mirrored to ours - we live on the East Coast in Caithness. Bloody cold at the moment with winds so strong the sea foam is plastered over the main road however the scenery and the beaches (and the peace and quiet) make it all the more worthwhile (not that my veggies would agree though)
    Have to say Haggis is completely adorable and every home should have one :)
    Thanks for an entertaining blog.

    Linda
    http://thetenaciousgardener.blogspot.co.uk/

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