Orkney, day 1

Teaser:

We woke in our B&B, to a view of cows and the ocean. The place was toasty warm - the only time in Scotland that really felt warm. My dad overestimated how early we'd have to leave, so was dressed and packed, and then got overheated and had to wait in the car while I got finished with my morning (finished dressing, packing, arranging, paying). We got to the ferry dock in plenty of time on the windy, grey morning. Two days earlier, we had trouble with the gale, coming back from Islay. There were similar problems on the northern tip of Scotland. The B&B owner told us not to worry about the ferry. They still sail in really bad weather, and this was merely bad. It was bad enough that they routed us through the more sheltered Scapa Flow, rather than going up the exposed west coast of the island of Hoy. It was still rather rough, especially before we made it into Scapa Flow. My dad had some trouble with seasickness, but he made it through.

( +47, Ferry, lighthouses, Stromness, Standing Stones, Kirkwall, Cathedral, distillery, etc. )

Orkney, day 1, sunset

It was late, and I didn't have time to finish the post for day 1...

After getting back to the room for a rest, we decided to head south. I had found Tomb of the Eagles on the map, so we decided to drive in that direction until it got late. My dad didn't want to drive after dark, plus he probably just wanted to go to bed after dark. As it turned out, he was getting sick, so we probably should have just skipped that jaunt, but we saw part of the island we wouldn't seen otherwise, and I really love some of these photos. You know me - I've just got to see everything. And good photos are a bonus.

( see more )