Foghorns and fireworks

We began the week being serenaded by fog-horns, and have ended it to the sound of fireworks, as Guy Fawkes Night was traditionally celebrated yesterday.  There was plenty to see and hear without having to leave the house!  It's been typical November weather, damp (pouring with rain, actually) and dreary, with very persistent low cloud shrouding everything.  Not the sort of weather conducive to drying clothes!  

We spotted a few long-tailed tits flying over the garden earlier in the week, the first we've seen this year.  The green woodpecker was busy digging for worms on the back lawn yesterday, and on my one and only walk into town this week (I got wet!) I was delighted to see a red squirrel scamper across the road right in front of me, dash up a nearby tree and then stare me out from his vantage point.  It's always a treat to see these little creatures up close, it never fails to lift my spirits for the day.  I'm really hoping there's a bit of a break in the weather soon as I dislike being cooped up for so long.  A good brisk walk is required.  

There's something in the water . . .

A foggy day for the beginning of November.  Very little wind; the dampness just hung around.  However, this weather does make for some atmospheric photo opportunities, and we were out in the garden early to capture a few autumnal images.

The last few days have been damp and grey and dismal and we've not found much motivation to do a great deal.  Today, despite the fog, it was actually not too cold so we wrapped up and took ourselves off for a walk.  It was good to get out and about.

Very atmospheric ruins

We ended up at the ferry terminal, and watched the car ferry coming in.  As we watched, a movement in the water caught our attention.  It disappeared, then reappeared shortly after.  We looked at each other, fairly certain, but pretty surprised, at what we were seeing, and made our way along the shoreline in the hope of getting a better look.  And soon after, we did.  To our amazement, there was a seal bobbing around off-shore.  We have seen enough seals in Orkney to be very sure of this sighting.  It was an unexpected but delightful surprise.

We're looking at the 'blob' in the middle!

With the clocks going back last week, the mornings are lighter again and consequently we're waking up earlier.  The temperatures drop off quickly during the afternoons, though, and it's dark before we have dinner.  Winter is just around the corner.