The last view...

All too quickly the time had come for us to set off back on the long journey south. It didn't take long for the two of us to pack up - much quicker without the three boys and two dogs! I suddenly realised that I'd never got around to taking the wonderful view from the kitchen window. I'd been waiting for the perfect light, which nearly happened when the owner came in the previous evening to see whether we'd had a good time, but I thought it might be a bit rude to just rush outside mid-conversation!

So this is the view taken in the normal cloudy, bitterly cold conditions that we endured for most of our stay. The lawn immediately in front of the cottage had northern marsh-orchids in it, and every night we would watch up to three hares grazing peacefully. There were also lots of runs of Orkney vole, and we even saw a couple over the course of the week. Beyond the houses there is Loch Stenness, and on the narrow spit of land between this and Loch Harray you can just see the Ring of Brodgar.

We got to the ferry in good time, and were up on deck with hot coffee and muffins as the MV Hamnavoe departed. I haven't felt so sad to leave a holiday destination since we sailed away from the Isles of Scilly on the Scillonian. I think there's something so definite and poignant about leaving on a ship - I just hope it won't be too long before we return...

The crossing was gentle, the highlight being spotting four porpoises (though I don't think anyone else saw them). Then we drove south via John O' Groats stopping for lunch at Dunnet Links, and a cup of coffee at Golspie. When we arrived at our special offer hotel in Perth we were surprised to see the red carpet out - but unfortunately it wasn't for us. The room was rather grandiose, and we were highly amused by the trouser press!

Unfortunately the relaxed feeling we'd acquired on Orkney was rudely shattered when we switched on the television and heard the dreadful news of the bomb and shootings in Norway, and Amy Winehouse's untimely death.