The tide is out

We started the day with a visit to Jane Glues Shoreline art gallery in Finstown. A brilliant place with some great paintings and artwork by Jane. I really enjoyed looking through the sketchbook Jane had put together, some great work starting from the beginning of her art course to where she is now. I always find it interesting to see what has inspired an artist and how they interpret their ideas.

Jane has started to make some fused glass pieces. I bought a small coaster with the colours of the sunset we saw last night and three small mirrors with prints on the covers which I will mount on a frame.

The Sinky butty van was back so seeing as it was nearly lunch and just incase we could nt find anywhere to eat we had a burger with onions and a cup of tea that we ate at the Lochside view point.

We saw a female hen harrier and watched a fisherman standing in the water fishing.

We found the Orkney Brewery where Mike stocked up on his ale.

A very quick stop at Marwick bay, the smell was quite over whelming so we did nt stay although one lady was sat outside enjoying the view of up to the Kitcheners Memorial on the top of Marwick cliffs, maybe she had no sense of smell !

This tower was unveiled on July 2nd 1926 in memory of all those who died when the HMS Hampshire sank on 5th June 1916. It is believed to have struck a mine left by a German submarine. Lord Kitchener , his staff and 643 members of the crew perished. Only 12 people survived and the body of Lord Kitchener, British Minister of war, famous for the war time , 'Britain needs you posters' ,was never found .

On to Birsay and although we were disappointed to find that the tea shop was shut on a Tuesday there was a food van parked in the carpark so we sat drinking tea waiting for the causeway to clear of water . We had timed it perfectly as the whole causeway was clear by the time we had finished. This photo shows the view back across to the Mainland Orkney.

What a great place to visit. The sun was shining brightly as we walked round the Brough of Birsay,a small , tidal island. Luckily we had chosen to turn left along a lower path instead of taking the centre path which led to the lighthouse. This meant we could walk the whole way round and not miss anything.

We saw puffin, razorbills, guillemots, herring gulls, cormorants and Fulmar and more.

Although there is no human habitation here now it was used between the 7th and 13th century AD. Remains of a '9th century Viking age settlement and 12th century monastery and pictish settlement of the 7-8th century have been found. The island is free to visit but there is a charge to see the archaeological remains.

It is believed that a small monastery may have been established by Thorffin 'the mighty', Earl of Orkney . The body of his grandson St Magnus, was held in Birsay after his murder in 1117.

Still lots of light left so off to the Loons for some bird watching and I was thrilled to see two water rail, goldeneye, coot, little grebe all with tiny babies.

Down to Cornquoy where we looked round the old kirkyard as the sun started to dip. It was quite eerie with the sound of seals moaning on the shore.

End of another great day with a wonderful red sunset :)