History
June 20th 8.55 pm first guests arrived at East Heddle.
Remarkable.
After 6 years its done.
Dusty
This blog has become neglected for which I apologise to the stalwart reader (s). Things in general are getting better. Loads of problems but most have solutions. New Skipper fot the Misty Isle in place and she will start fishing again the early Spring. Hooray !
Will give a photo update to EH soon. It is going to be incredible.
take good care and all who sail with you !
We did it
Over the weekend 25 tonnes of soil and 2300 sq ft of turf was artfully deposited on the roof of East Heddle. It was the last weekend of the year when this was possible as the Weather has now broken and rain is heavy and forcast all week.
It was very hard even so and we worked over 20 hours to get it done.
Photos to folow, major updates to site due soon.
White Billed Diver
This bird has been around for a while and i finally got the time to find it down at Barrier 4 yesterday. A Corker ! Big, goose sized parsnip nosed Diver and spectacular to see in the flesh. Normally hangs out in the Artic and Scandinavia/ Very impressive.
Five Stars
We got a Five Star grading for the Byre today. Good.
Lots, so much to say that I can’t say it. Will update properly on a dreeky day. EH underway, roof imminent.
River Warbler
Spent a couple of hours twitching today after a very rare visitor
a River Warbler who arrived in Evie last week. Strong winds meant it failed to show. Not my style but it was a departure from the normal bird walk.
Lost my Angelica to the gales, force 6 or 7 i guess, gusting 50mph. After 6 weeks of great weather it it not so bad but it was magnificent, 7ft tall and in full flower so its tough to see it destroyed.
yada yada
Life stumbles on. Brother Jonno been and gone. Weather remarkable for best spring ever, almost too dry and sunny infact. Many gorgeous days. Today a bit breezy but so far no real winds since April. Gardening a lot, planting up EH with structural stuff. Lots to do, Tom being very helpful. Mother mad as a brush. Brother Jules not progressing much. EH a bit stalled, stonework is more than Brian expected I think. Timing may become an issue. Byre going pretty well, solid bookings up to mid-August.
Great RSPB day out on Copinsay two weeks ago; loads of migrants here but no time to see them, Sea Eagle, Golden Eagle seen today/yesterday. (not by me).
Will post more photos soon.
Week I
Ends at EH. I will take some photos. Lost the architect (fired), took dowm more stone, watched big vehicles do stuff. Good start all in all.
Brother Jonno arrives this afternoon, long journey from Ashland, Oregon ends here at 3pm. Will be very good to see him.
Weather has been extraordinary, no rain for three weeks, loads of Sun and warm as well. Set to continue but cooler. Best May since 2003, that’s certain. Makes tree planting very difficult as cannot do it out of hose range until proper rain is forecast. Working very hard, getting things done, apart from Brian who has gone AWOL again. Very irritating.
Start
May 10th 2008
It began. Just Terry and me, hardcored and scalped the interior floor of East Heddle. The first day that finally stuff is going into EH rather than out. It has started.
Last week Tom and I removed the last section of wall that had to come down and moved the last flags out. The builders are coming…
Blissful
On Sunday we had our last Winter birdwalk. After 7 months of cold often wet sometimes tough outings (though always very rewarding) the April walk is like a reward. 15c, blue skies, light winds. Orkney sparkling, with the birds responding. The walk was looking for Summer migrants on the East Coast of Deerness, from Dingieshowe beach to Ayres Point.
First we saw Sandwich Turns, newly arrived from Africa, fishing with spectacular grace. Then the Swallows again back from Africa; we were looking out for Wheatears. These White Arses are simply exquisite. Like the Turns and Swallows, back from Africa for the long Summer feeding days.
We had a great picnic in a sheltered spot, positively sunbathing. We went on to see Purple Sandpipers, Whimbrel, Short Eared Owl, Kestral, Turnstones, Ringed Plovers and many others.
A great way to finish the Winter walks.
Return
Saw Dominic and Joe in London which was good. Came back on Monday, through terminal 5 which is a huge improvement, an amazing piece of engineering and essentially a shopping mall with planes attached.
The grind is back, first grass cut at Woodwick yesterday, helping Brian with Stonework. Still dry and cold but now overcast; think some wet weather is due. Bookings pretty good for Byre, July sold out already. Everything just about ok in my absence though as usual Tom didn’t reach the mark.
Thats it for now.
London
Flew down for my brother’s 5oth birfday with Lorraine on the 17th, back on the 21st. Had a game of golf at Sunningdale on the 18th, old times. Wasn’t totally useless for a retired golfer, last time was three years ago. Two pars, one birdie, one big drive. Short game sound and putting pretty good, but no real desire to play again.
That evening went to IMAC cinema at Waterloo. Absolutely incredible. Saw Rolling stones documentary. Mick Jaggers face 60ft high is a bit like the grand canyon, Keith Richards face at that scale like a post apocalyptic wasteland. This morning they have gone to church, i am having a lazy Sunday, then Indian Lunch; hooray ! it will have to last a long time but real Indian food ! Can’t wait.
May go to RMS golf club later on to see if any one is about.
Brian has held the fort back at Heddle, hopefully all is OK.
Big place, London.
Orkney Skyline Concern
So they have finally got online. Tiny bit basic as yet, but go and register, do it now.
birding
On Sunday we had our penultimate Winter birdwalk, crossing the Rendall valley from Firth School to Hackland Kirk, about 7 miles or so of easy going. Highlights were Short Eared Owl and Kestral close encounters, Snipe, Redwing, Snow Buntings, Pintail Ducks and Golden Plovers.
A big flock of Pink footed geese (2-300) and of course thousands of Greylags. Less acclaimed perhaps but wonderful to see in iridescent dress hundred of dancing Lapwings accompanied us most of the way.
