Where the heart is

My inner balance mechanism has finally resumed normal working order, and I'm back to making lists and trying to catch up on lost days.  We've had sun, rain and gales (but thankfully not the snow that some parts of the country woke up to!) and I've just about caught up with the washing.  Just as well, as we're off again next week, back to Orkney, which is fast becoming our 'home from home'.

Long shadows at the Ring of Brodger

We first visited Orkney this time last year, when we travelled the length of the UK by train (quite an adventure, and great fun).  N suggested, more for a laugh than anything, that as we were so far north, why not hop on a boat and visit Orkney while we were in the neighbourhood?  So we did, stayed for a week, and fell in love with the place.  Totally.  And very unexpectedly.  We didn't want to leave to come home.

Calm reflection on the Bay of Firth

It is such a beautiful place, and we found everyone very welcoming and friendly.  And the skies are so 'big'.  It's hard to put into words when you find a place that feels so 'right', but we both felt it.  We returned again last October for 2 weeks, and looked at houses - quite seriously - and wondered if we could, or should, up sticks and move there.  We have kept that conversation open and on-going; it would be a huge move (and we have discussed it with the children), but we have also talked at length about following dreams, and the regret and disappointment of missed opportunities.  

Dramatic sky at Hoxa Head

Lobster creels at Tingwall

And so we will return next week, ready for the wind and the rain (always plenty of that), gulp in the fresh air, be stunned again by the scenery, the brilliant sunsets, big skies and wildlife.  We have tickets for a couple of gigs at the Orkney Folk Festival which we are really looking forward to.  And, of course, we shall be having our fish suppers from the Peedie Chippie!!  Yum!

I must post a few photos from the Canaries - I have finally downloaded them - and get some up-to-date pictures of the veggie garden, where everything has benefitted from the rain and sun.  There's so much to do again!