This week just past has been rather eventful. We have had some of the worst weather I have ever experienced, I have been treated to dinner by the local church, my contract has been extended and I have surfed a new spot called "Suicides".
One of the things I like the most about Orkney is the community spirit. Everyone supports local events and all get a good turn out. Last saturday night there was a community film night in the town hall. I went with a group of friends from work to watch a documentary titled "The Village at the End of the World". It was based on a remote village called Niaqornat in North West Greenland. With only 59 inhabitants and being almost completely cut off with the rest of the world, the village relies heavily on a traditional Inuit way of life whilst trying to adapt to the modern world. At times it's rather sad, but is also witty and funny in other parts. It is definitely worth a watch if you are interested in that sort of thing.
On Wednesday I was invited to the town hall where Stromness Church were putting on a meal. Bangers and mash! It was really nice and they put this on for whoever wants to come every Wednesday night. I'm sure I'll be going back!
My boss went to Chile yesterday, so on Thursday I approached him about extending my contract further than the initial month. He suggested an extra month, and then when he gets back onto the island he will have a look at the possibility of something longer term. What "longer term" means I have no idea, and I am not sure if they will keep me on. I would like to stay for a while longer, however they are struggling for office space (I am currently on someones desk who is away. I'm not sure where I am going to go when she comes back!). So what will happen after my second month here is still very much up in the air. I haven't asked my land lady if I can stay for longer yet but I don't think it will be a problem.
Yesterday morning was an early start, surfing before work again. That old trick. Its getting lighter, but we were still surfing by moonlight at quarter past 7. It sounds rather romantic, but let me tell you, such thoughts are cancelled out by the thought of having to strip off and get changed with a howling wind blowing your towel up! The place we surfed is called "Suicides". Its a wave that breaks over a rocky reef and its a bit dodgy getting in and out but other than that it seems the name is meant to put people off! Its a great wave and I will hopefully get some pictures of it soon. We went there again this morning, and were in the water by 0745 again. Really nice conditions this morning until it grew dark and a hail shower passed over. Very rarely have I been so uncomfortable, trying to paddle out against 6ft waves whilst having my face peppered with large hail stones. I wish I could have captured my facial expression on camera, it would have been a real treat! Anyway it turned out to quite a nice day after that.
One of the things I like the most about Orkney is the community spirit. Everyone supports local events and all get a good turn out. Last saturday night there was a community film night in the town hall. I went with a group of friends from work to watch a documentary titled "The Village at the End of the World". It was based on a remote village called Niaqornat in North West Greenland. With only 59 inhabitants and being almost completely cut off with the rest of the world, the village relies heavily on a traditional Inuit way of life whilst trying to adapt to the modern world. At times it's rather sad, but is also witty and funny in other parts. It is definitely worth a watch if you are interested in that sort of thing.
On Wednesday I was invited to the town hall where Stromness Church were putting on a meal. Bangers and mash! It was really nice and they put this on for whoever wants to come every Wednesday night. I'm sure I'll be going back!
My boss went to Chile yesterday, so on Thursday I approached him about extending my contract further than the initial month. He suggested an extra month, and then when he gets back onto the island he will have a look at the possibility of something longer term. What "longer term" means I have no idea, and I am not sure if they will keep me on. I would like to stay for a while longer, however they are struggling for office space (I am currently on someones desk who is away. I'm not sure where I am going to go when she comes back!). So what will happen after my second month here is still very much up in the air. I haven't asked my land lady if I can stay for longer yet but I don't think it will be a problem.
Yesterday morning was an early start, surfing before work again. That old trick. Its getting lighter, but we were still surfing by moonlight at quarter past 7. It sounds rather romantic, but let me tell you, such thoughts are cancelled out by the thought of having to strip off and get changed with a howling wind blowing your towel up! The place we surfed is called "Suicides". Its a wave that breaks over a rocky reef and its a bit dodgy getting in and out but other than that it seems the name is meant to put people off! Its a great wave and I will hopefully get some pictures of it soon. We went there again this morning, and were in the water by 0745 again. Really nice conditions this morning until it grew dark and a hail shower passed over. Very rarely have I been so uncomfortable, trying to paddle out against 6ft waves whilst having my face peppered with large hail stones. I wish I could have captured my facial expression on camera, it would have been a real treat! Anyway it turned out to quite a nice day after that.
No broken boards or fins yet either. It would seem my daily prayers to Neptune and Poseidon are doing the trick!!
Last night was Robbie Burns night which was good fun. Haggis, Neaps and Tatties all piped into the room by a man in a kilt. Followed by a traditional address to the Haggis by a man from lowland Scotland who recited a Robbie Burns poem. I understood a bit, but not a lot. The same as most people in the room by the look on folks faces!
Tomorrow I am cooking sunday lunch for Olly and his wife Charlotte. I'm not doing a roast though, my oven isn't big enough so I am making a chicken pie. Big deal. I love chicken pie. If it isn't top notch I'm going to be very upset with my self!
I hope everyone is well! Sorry for the lack of photos this week. There is a storm due to hit on tomorrow evening/ tomorrow night. I might go out to attempt to capture the wildness. Not an easy task!
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Last night was Robbie Burns night which was good fun. Haggis, Neaps and Tatties all piped into the room by a man in a kilt. Followed by a traditional address to the Haggis by a man from lowland Scotland who recited a Robbie Burns poem. I understood a bit, but not a lot. The same as most people in the room by the look on folks faces!
Tomorrow I am cooking sunday lunch for Olly and his wife Charlotte. I'm not doing a roast though, my oven isn't big enough so I am making a chicken pie. Big deal. I love chicken pie. If it isn't top notch I'm going to be very upset with my self!
I hope everyone is well! Sorry for the lack of photos this week. There is a storm due to hit on tomorrow evening/ tomorrow night. I might go out to attempt to capture the wildness. Not an easy task!
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