You are not alone, you have yourself.

The weather continues to be beyond hideous. Just the journey from the house to the tumble dryer in the garage whilst carrying the washing was an extreme sport. I nearly lost several items of laundry to other islands. Maybe that’s where all the odd socks in our house really go to, they get carried off by the wind as I journey back and forth to the washing line or tumble dryer and end up in Westray, North Ronaldsay or Hoy.

I’ve had a weekend of solitude these last few days as Orkney Beef and teenage son are also scattered to another island along with the odd socks. I stayed home because of work but I’ve quite enjoyed having the house to myself. I’ve never been afraid of my own company and while I’m very sociable and outgoing I think I would go completely crazy if I didn’t get time to myself once in a while. There’s a difference between loneliness and aloneness and I feel hugely privileged to not feel lonely, though I have done many times in the past and know how it feels. We never know when loneliness may strike and while I don’t for a second claim to solve the problem in one throw away comment, ‘you are not alone, you have yourself’ was a line I read in a little book I picked up a few months ago and it really struck a chord with me. I can amuse myself quite happily and don’t fear time alone whilst other people I know have never spent a night alone their whole life; others still, hate being on their own and always want people around them. Orkney Beef, son and dog will return tomorrow and I’ll be delighted to see them but for now I shall enjoy the rest of the evening in the company of myself.

I’ve attached a video of the view from my house taken several months ago early one morning, to cheer us all up as the weather is so monstrous. Click play and have the sound on too to maximise 10 seconds of bliss. You’re welcome, and thank you for reading.