Norq From Ork

Hi Voices

This week I was curator for the Hi Voices Twitter account.  This is an account run by a different person from the highlands and islands each week and this past week was my turn.  It was a bit daunting at first but I really enjoyed it and soon got into my stride.  I promoted Orkney and its loveliness by sharing pictures but I also had a bit of fun. All in all it was an experience much enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunrise and sunset

The skies never fail as usual in Orkney.  I walk past these houses every morning on my dog walk yet the sky can look very different every time.  Sometimes it can be dark and brooding, at others pink and on this particular morning it was orange and fiery.  A bird obligingly flew past the sun just as I took the picture.

As the days draw out you need to be up earlier in the morning to catch the sunrise.  Orkney Beef was on his way to work when he text me to say the sky was looking amazing.  By the time I was up and dressed to take the dog a walk some 15 minutes later it was completely clouded over.  Thankfully Orkney Beef had stopped and taken some on his way to work so you’ve him to thank for this one.

and just as the sun rose every morning, so it faithfully set in the evening again giving us beautiful pink clouds.

A narrow escape

This week my sister had a very lucky escape.  In this picture is her home, and behind it, her poor neighbour’s is ablaze.  My sister lives in Colorado, and there is no humidity, the ground is extremely dry and crunchy.  Forests can burn for days and homes have to be evacuated.  As this one was on fire this week, the flames and embers were blowing across onto my sister’s home. As you can see, the house is made of wood, like a giant wendy house. Things didn’t look good. My brother in law was hosing the ground desperately trying to save his home but the heat overwhelmed him and he eventually had to rescue the dog and simply drive away.  He called my sister and told her the house was going to burn down, all they could do was drive to safety and watch.  24 fire trucks attended the scene and whilst the one poor home was destroyed, thankfully no other homes were damaged.  My sister was able to go back into her home later that night. Seeing your entire home wiped out like that must be beyond devastating, I can’t begin to imagine how it must feel.  But I am hugely grateful to the brave fire crew who worked for hours on end to protect the rest of the neighbourhood.

 

 

Stained glass and arched roofs 

I’ve always loved architecture of church buildings.  This was once the church (Kirk) of Stromness called the North Kirk.  It then became the town hall and is used for many different but our church hires it for church on Sunday mornings, bringing the building back to full circle.

Being a lover of the history of Orkney I love to imagine the many people who attended this church in days gone by.  It has changed very little but for the more modern equipment used now. It’s also the church where we were married, and will always be special to me.

 

 

My poor dad has been a bit laid low this week ‘I feel about 80’ he said today.  I reminded him that in a couple of years he WILL be 80 so only feeling two years older than his actual age maybe wasn’t so bad. What a great Job’s comforter I make. 😀 Get well soon Father Bear.  X