Hoy across Hoy Sound from Stromness

The portends for a fine day didn’t look that promising this morning. We spent time poring over maps, guides and magazines to plan an itinerary for the next 10 days.

In the end, with packed lunch prepared we explored Stromness calling in at the museum and various shops and galleries along the town trail. All very enjoyable. A cruise ship was in the harbour and the Northern Isle ferry came in while we were there.

The cruise ship was the dinky Ocean Nova carrying only 68 passengers which didn’t cause too much in the way of a crowd on the main street. Not like the larger ships that berth at Kirkwall.

I bought a loaf of bere sourdough and a sourdough cinnamon roll at the Bayleaf delicatessen, both of which were excellent. Not so much the coffee at the Pier bistro.

The promised sunshine made it’s appearance as we set off along the coast to the Point of Ness and Warbeth making it feel pleasantly warm walking along looking at the splendid views over Graemsay and Hoy.

Plenty of wild flowers to see as well as birds including curlews, oystercatchers, red shanks and a glimpse of a splendid short eared owl which made our day.

Today’s blip is from that coastal walk with the ferry making its way back to Scrabster along the eastern shore of Hoy.

Thank you for your visits and comments. There’s not much time in the day left to visit your journals.