So last week after my previous post I was going to tell you how illusive the northern light were being. But am I am sure you have seen on the news, they came out in force this week. On Sunday night I got a text from someone at work saying go outside, the lights are on. I just went outside the house and stood next to the car but I couldn't see anything for about 10 minutes and I was contemplating driving up to the north coat where there would be less influence from the lights of Stromness. As I turned to go back inside for the car keys I caught a glimmer of green out of the corner of my eye. So I stayed put and waited from my eyes to get properly adjusted to the dark. Sure enough about 2 minutes later the dancing green columns of light revealed themselves. Gradually they took hold of more and more of the sky, with a charcoal grey fringe proceeding the lights, probing for more space amongst the stars. Eventually they filled most of it, and then the show really began with the green changing into patches of red and pink. The vertical columns of light changed shape and positions like a cloud does when influenced by a light breeze. This went on for about 10 minutes and then slowly faded away to what looked like shimmering grey clouds. I went back inside after seeing all this to fetch my camera and hastily consulted the almighty google on how best to photograph the northern lights. After 15 frustrating minutes I managed to get something resembling the northern lights, however I completely missed the best part. Looking back maybe it was best to see them in their full beauty with my own eyes and not through a camera lens. The best picture that I took, which still isn't that great, is below. Its a bit blurry because you have to set a large exposure time and I didn't have a tripod. An investment needed there I think!
Moving on after all that excitement and enthusiastic writing I will tell you about more mundane events. Work is still going well. I have started being involved with environmental impact surveys now which I think I will be ever more involved with in the future. Thats has been interesting but quite difficult at the same time. I think I'm getting a bit more to grips with it now. The veg patch at Olly's is looking good, we did a bit more to it yesterday, and for Pin Ali and Sambo, you will be glad to hear that Ernie, my bonsai tree, is in excellent heath and has seemed to recovered from his previous illness with great vigour.
I only have two weeks left at the house I am staying in at the minute so I am looking at other houses at the minute. I had a house viewing in Stromness last night. It was bloody awful! i won't be living there. I have two other viewing this evening which I am hoping will be more successful. Both of them are near Finstown, about 10 minutes drive from Stromness. I will let you all know how I come on but for now my dinner is ready!
Catch you soon.
X
I only have two weeks left at the house I am staying in at the minute so I am looking at other houses at the minute. I had a house viewing in Stromness last night. It was bloody awful! i won't be living there. I have two other viewing this evening which I am hoping will be more successful. Both of them are near Finstown, about 10 minutes drive from Stromness. I will let you all know how I come on but for now my dinner is ready!
Catch you soon.
X