Hoy - a further Update

Across this morning on Hoy - very wet and windy.  A logistic balls up.  When it’s wet and windy there is no other expression that suffices.  CMC’s brother was doing the school run to Lyness as was her nephew to Longhope.  Her mother was busy in the Hoy Post Office.  Hence no lift up to the Hoy Kirk.

This is CMC and her brother in law - I had to stop to take oxygen.

This is the Mill Brae; the house half way up is Hoy Vale and there used to be a mill there.  We spent many a happy night in Hoy Vale with Betty and Reggie who were great hosts, alas they are both long gone now.  At the top of the brae is the site of the previous Post Office - now flattened and a new house in situ.

The hill looming in the background is the Cuillags - a very steep climb but a lot worse to come down.

Behind the trees on the right is the old Manse.  There used to be a stunning garden there about 40 years ago - a lot of produce was sent across to Stromness shops.  But laziness took over and now it is a jungle but it offers very good cover for wildlife.  Behind the trees was also the site of the first ever Hoy Post Office.

For those cramming for the exam there are 42 folk living in Hoy.  The remaining population of 360 live either in Lyness, Brims or Longhope.