Better than the Med

I was sad to see my friends leave this morning on the Hamnavoe Ferry to return to Scrabster and the south.They have had a week’s comprehensive exploration of Orkney Mainland meeting up with me for several meals and a hilarious time.
The weather for them has been typically Orcadian- cool and showery but unusually little wind. It was Sod’s Law that their day of departure dawned sunny and warm.

This was perfect for 8 Selkies to drive to Waukmill Bay and swim there at high tide. There was a tricky entry of boulders for this Lady in thin socks and bad balance but the younger Selkies were on hand to provide a safe passage and once in the water there was sand underfoot and no seaweed. It was perfect for swimming, bobbing about and perfecting handstands…. and all the time the sun shone and the world sparkled. We must have been in for at least 30 minutes but nobody felt cold.

Now I’m sitting in the garden with the only sound that of a high tide lapping on the sea wall. A small white boat with reddish brown sails is tacking up and down in front of me and a few gulls are bobbing gently on the swell.
I have thrown caution to the wind and bought an Orkney ice cream to eat. At this moment in time it feels like heaven on earth to be here.