You say that, but the last time I went to Scotland, I nearly got sunstroke in Edinburgh and went paddling on the beach on the Isle of Lewis - it was very surreal.
But would you have fancied a swim? (I've paddled on those beaches too, which was fine, but it would have been a bit bracing to strip off and dive in.) As I recall, it reached a balmy 25 degrees Celsius that week.
I think I may have waxed wroth before about my hatred of hats; I possess but one, and it's a bit rubbish as it's not quite as big as my head ...
I've just looked at the forecast for Orkney for the next week, and if they're right, it's going to be mostly dry with temperatures in the mid-teens. In other words, perfect, but I'll pack a lightweight raincoat in case they're telling porkies.
I may have to tuck in a pair of cropped trousers for the journey back (I'm travelling with my sister by ferry and car): it looks as if the Highlands are going to be jolly hot.
I'm away for less than a week, but I'll have to accommodate different levels of smartness: flying, sailing and possibly eating out in places where I'd like to look civilised.
ETA (cross-post): I used to think growing up that I'd been cheated if we didn't get at least one day in the summer when we could swim in the sea; these days I find I can't be bothered (and I haven't got a bathing-costume). I have no doubt that my sister will be bringing hers though - she'll certainly have a paddle, if not a full-on swim.
I like to go to places with people who are equipped for bad weather, and so benefit from the deterrent effect of their umbrellas without needing to carry one myself
Hmmm ... unfortunately the deterrent effect isn't necessarily transferable.
We decided not to Go Out today or do any washing because the weather was grey with a strong threat of rain. So, of course, this afternoon has been lovely (at least I cut the lawn).
Have a lovely time @piglet. The temperature sounds perfect, I'm no good in hot weather either.
Today our landscape gardening neighbour came round to chat through our ideas for part one of our garden make-over. Our garden is quite big. About a third is decking, then lawn and at the end a pergola with nothing growing up it and a couple of scrubby bits of nothing to either side. There is also a gate that leads to a landing stage by a dyke. We're going to have the slope to the landing stage , pergola and scrubby bits planted up, a rather sad pine tree taken down and my plum tree planted somewhere in the lawn. Stage two will be getting rid of the decking, but that is probably a project for next year. Other than that and a mooch into town to buy stuff for tea we've not done a lot today.
Makes one wonder if perhaps, when Scotland becomes independent, they might opt to join forces with Norway? Oslo is closer to Kirkwall than London is...
Makes one wonder if perhaps, when Scotland becomes independent, they might opt to join forces with Norway? Oslo is closer to Kirkwall than London is...
Oops. I meant *if Scotland doesn't become independent*. Not sure how I got it the wrong way round...
Makes one wonder if perhaps, when Scotland becomes independent, they might opt to join forces with Norway? Oslo is closer to Kirkwall than London is...
You may jest, but there's a not-entirely fanciful line of thought up there that suggests that mightn't be such a daft idea. David was fond of retelling the story of someone in Shetland who had to fill in a form that asked for his nearest mainline railway station, and he quite truthfully put "Bergen".
Orkney quite emphatically voted against independence in the referendum (on the principle that government in Edinburgh probably doesn't understand the islands much better than Westminster does), but it may have had something to do with the fact that the SNP had a habit of fielding a right eejit in elections. In recent elections, they've put up a very decent, well-respected local bloke, who's made a bigger dent in the Lib Dem's majority.
I've just had a lovely long chat with a friend in Orkney and made arrangements for another one over lunch on Friday.
I had come across Piglet's "fanciful line of thought" while up there briefly a while ago - or it might have been in Shetland. I think the Hebrides were also fancying joining in.
Tbh I'd be rather surprised if the Western Isles were all that keen; they haven't got the same historical and cultural ties with Norway that Orkney and Shetland have.
When I lived outside Scotland I was often asked if I spoke Gaelic, and my questioners were quite surprised when I told them there was no Gaelic in Orkney at all, and that the local personal and place names had Norse roots.
It's a warm, sultry sort of day here today: I went out briefly to get some eggs for brunch, and apart from that I've done very little except a laundry load including bedlinen, which is tumbling dry as I type.
I need advice from more seasoned travellers (or at least those who are more tech-savvy) than I.
Having booked my flight online, I got an e-mail from Loganair asking me to check in online. I clicked all the appropriate buttons, and received an e-mail in return, with one of those QR code thingies in it.
Will it be enough to have my mobile with the e-mail on it with me to check in, or do I need to find somewhere where I can physically print it out before going to the airport? This is (quite literally) the first time I've travelled anywhere since I got a smart phone, so I genuinely don't know!
Will it be enough to have my mobile with the e-mail on it with me to check in, or do I need to find somewhere where I can physically print it out before going to the airport? This is (quite literally) the first time I've travelled anywhere since I got a smart phone, so I genuinely don't know!
Whilst I have used a print-out of such a code before, the usual intent is that people just present them on their phones. (My experience of this is on travel within the US, but I imagine it's pretty similar.) I usually either take paper with me, or print a paper boarding pass at the kiosk at the airport, on the grounds that a piece of paper can't run out of battery.
I'm in all in favour of having a paper copy of such things - having experienced a wonderful trip to Skye and my phone getting wet at some point and giving up the ghost. I remember being so grateful that I had a paper copy of my ticket and resolved then and there, never to rely on phones for such things whilst travelling. Although the failing of my mobile happens on a very rare occasion, and I am pretty good at keeping it charged up, I just never feel totally safe and secure.
@Piglet on the way out I normally just present my phone, don't bother with printing the QR code out. In my experience the scanners work as well on phone screens as paper. I'd probably be a bit more failsafe on the way back. QR codes eat a lot of ink.
I carry a small phone charger. We needed it today as we waited so long at Athens airport for the Covid test my phone ran out of battery for reading of the QR code. There were only five in front of us in the queue but the operatives were sloooow! Tests negative I’m glad to say.
It’s been 41 degrees here today! 😵
We fly home tomorrow via Milan.
It’s been just wonderful. Visiting Mike’s MIL and enjoying Georgian food on the terrace of the place where she works for a family. A visit to the beach and a little sightseeing. Of course, spending all day every day with Anuka was the real blessing.
But I don’t recommend travelling abroad just now. The paperwork is crazy, crazy, crazy. Each airport has mad queues - especially for those travelling from non EU countries - and very antiquated systems. The thought that you could fall at any of the hurdles adds to the stress.
We have had a very pleasant weekend in the countryside near the Loire with husband en rouge's niece and her boyfriend. Captain Pyjamas had a lovely time getting filthy, feeding the chickens and riding in the wheelbarrow, but the highlight was very much when niece's boyfriend, who is a firefighter, took him for a private tour of the fire station. Husband en rouge also got to play with the siren
Last night we cooked a rib of beef on the barbecue. I'm pleased to say I haven't lost my touch since the days when I used to be the Girl Guides' champion pyromaniac. (There was also something rather satisfying about lighting my magnificent blaze in the presence of a professional fire putter-outer )
Thanks for the QR advice, folks - I'll have my mobile charged up and ready! As you say, if all else fails, presumably I can check in manually, pleading the "brainless technopeasant" defence (with thanks to the late, great Uncle Pete).
Laundry has been accomplished, sheets have been returned to their rightful place and chicken with tarragon and crème fraîche has been cooked and consumed.
All this talk about Orkney has got me planning a holiday there. Husband is keen too.
We spent today spring cleaning the lounge and moving furniture around. Husband is no longer working from home regularly so it was a chance to evict some of his engineering and computer stuff and get the room back to a presentable state again.
Over here, in apparently sub-tropical Continental WesShire, things are the same, hot and muggy, though the sun is out - more thunderstorms forecast for tonight.
The recently reported thunderstorm with flash floods wasn't the only one in our area; on Thursday, 24 June, there was another big one further up the valley, and the railway line was cut for several hours due to several (!) massive mudslides. Was ok again though in the morning.
I guess I'll take my waterproofs with me to work this afternoon, I might be stuck on a bus in a storm again, although we hope not! Temperatures should drop to a more humane 21 or 22°C daytime soon. Something to look forward to!
What is this thing called *Sun* of which you speak? Is it The Big Yellow Face, seldom seen in these latitudes latterly?
But stay! Even as I write, there is a lighter shade of grey appearing in the firmament, and the waters that are below the firmament are lessening - could it be that The Big Yellow Face, like The Great Pumpkin, is about to grace Arkland with His presence? O, I knew not that Arkland was so sincere! *swoons*
(No offence is intended to any adherents of The Great Pumpkin who may happen to be reading this).
It's dull but not unpleasant so far here in West Lothian; Iron Ing has been achieved in preparation for Pack Ing (it's so long since I've done any Pack Ing, I suspect I may have forgotten how).
I'm heading into Embra shortly for an appointment with the Audiology people, where I shall have to tell them that the swearing aids hearing aids they so kindly sent are actually a bit rubbish. I'll have a brief foray to the shops for a couple of final Bits and Pieces (new face flannel, handbag-size bottle of scent) on my way back, then probably a snoozette followed by a nice steak for supper.
I hate to say it @Bishops Finger but that brief lightening is likely to be temporary. We've already had a wet walk in the forest, followed by a dry spell, and now it's raining.
Sounds like a nice gentle day, Piglet. I want to take a bicycle to Orkney if I ever get there again, I reckon Mainland would be far more entertaining to cycle round.
I am getting quite into this jam-making business. On the way back from the speech therapist's this morning, we walked past a green grocery with various boxes of produce outside at bargain basement prices because it was past its best. I walked off with a kilo of cherries for the princely sum of €3. I had to cut the bad bits out, but for jam they were perfectly fine. Four jars are now cooling down in my kitchen.
I have also discovered a nifty trick for getting the pits out - stand a funnel upside down in a bowl and press the cherries down on top. The pit gets caught in the end. Still a bit messy but nowhere near so horrific as doing it with a knife.
Warm, sunny June day in Cumbria and in Durham with enough coolness in the air to make it worth standing in the shade. Bit of a waste to be doing four hours driving, but otherwise I’d be working indoors anyway.
Today is one for the Cloud Appreciation Society. We have puffy and white, flat and pale grey, gunmetal so low it feels you could touch it, etc. Its warmish, but summer? Not according to the standard of my yoof, it aint.
I am having a very dull day. I’ve even checked into work (despite not currently working as my contract is term time only) but there wasn’t much going on. Tomorrow I may have to do my annual training to relieve the monotony.
Still, it’s beef curry for tea so I might go all fancy and make some accompanying veg dishes.
I did enjoy swimming this morning though (indoor pool, not Lido or sea!!!)
My sister just posted a picture on What's App of her feet in the sea in Orkney.
Reasonably successful trip to the audiology bloke - he agreed that the domes they'd sent were Quite Wrong, and replaced same.
The effect was a definite improvement, but I think for now I'll stick with the posh ones, mostly because they're rechargeable. I'm keeping the NHS ones as backup though.
Once back in Princes Street I managed to get the small scent bottle but not the face flannel; the M&S there doesn't seem to have household stuff. No matter: I also went into Monsoon and treated myself to a lovely denim top with embroidery on it - just the thing for the slightly more temperate climate in Orkney.
Heavenlyannie, Sanders is right - you absolutely should go up if you get the chance - it's gorgeous.
@Heavenlyannie, Sanders is right - you absolutely should go up if you get the chance - it's gorgeous.
Biased, moi???
@Piglet may well be biased, but I would also recommend Orkney as a great place to go. If you decide to go somewhere, then let me know, and I'll be very happy to lend you maps/send you bumph I've still got knocking about the place. I'd also suggest that if you're into visiting the historical sites, Historic Scotland used to do a visitor pass which allowed you unlimited entry to sites for (I think) a week. If you planned to do most of main sites in Orkney, it was MUCH cheaper to do it that way than by paying for all of them... Don't know if they still do it, mind you.
Passes are valid for 3, 7 or 14 consecutive days.
A pass is activated on its first use. Multiple sites can be visited on any single day. Any specific site can be visited only once.
@la vie en rouge MuminElmet's tip is a large hair pin/Kirby grip. Good for getting the pit out but leaving the cherry mostly intact. We don't have a good supply on our doorstep so it tends to be frozen which at least tend to pre-pitted.
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But would you have fancied a swim? (I've paddled on those beaches too, which was fine, but it would have been a bit bracing to strip off and dive in.) As I recall, it reached a balmy 25 degrees Celsius that week.
I've just looked at the forecast for Orkney for the next week, and if they're right, it's going to be mostly dry with temperatures in the mid-teens. In other words, perfect, but I'll pack a lightweight raincoat in case they're telling porkies.
I may have to tuck in a pair of cropped trousers for the journey back (I'm travelling with my sister by ferry and car): it looks as if the Highlands are going to be jolly hot.
I'm away for less than a week, but I'll have to accommodate different levels of smartness: flying, sailing and possibly eating out in places where I'd like to look civilised.
ETA (cross-post): I used to think growing up that I'd been cheated if we didn't get at least one day in the summer when we could swim in the sea; these days I find I can't be bothered (and I haven't got a bathing-costume). I have no doubt that my sister will be bringing hers though - she'll certainly have a paddle, if not a full-on swim.
Both times we experienced tropical temperatures and not a drop of rain!
We decided not to Go Out today or do any washing because the weather was grey with a strong threat of rain. So, of course, this afternoon has been lovely (at least I cut the lawn).
Today our landscape gardening neighbour came round to chat through our ideas for part one of our garden make-over. Our garden is quite big. About a third is decking, then lawn and at the end a pergola with nothing growing up it and a couple of scrubby bits of nothing to either side. There is also a gate that leads to a landing stage by a dyke. We're going to have the slope to the landing stage , pergola and scrubby bits planted up, a rather sad pine tree taken down and my plum tree planted somewhere in the lawn. Stage two will be getting rid of the decking, but that is probably a project for next year. Other than that and a mooch into town to buy stuff for tea we've not done a lot today.
I have used it every day here in Athens. No rain - but it’s been 38° today!
Yes, I know that Orkney is still officially part of the UK, but even so, it's a fair distance from the toxic swamp...
We have been to the cricket today. There was a good atmosphere, helped by our team winning.
Oops. I meant *if Scotland doesn't become independent*. Not sure how I got it the wrong way round...
You may jest, but there's a not-entirely fanciful line of thought up there that suggests that mightn't be such a daft idea. David was fond of retelling the story of someone in Shetland who had to fill in a form that asked for his nearest mainline railway station, and he quite truthfully put "Bergen".
Orkney quite emphatically voted against independence in the referendum (on the principle that government in Edinburgh probably doesn't understand the islands much better than Westminster does), but it may have had something to do with the fact that the SNP had a habit of fielding a right eejit in elections. In recent elections, they've put up a very decent, well-respected local bloke, who's made a bigger dent in the Lib Dem's majority.
I've just had a lovely long chat with a friend in Orkney and made arrangements for another one over lunch on Friday.
Have a good time @Piglet!
When I lived outside Scotland I was often asked if I spoke Gaelic, and my questioners were quite surprised when I told them there was no Gaelic in Orkney at all, and that the local personal and place names had Norse roots.
It's a warm, sultry sort of day here today: I went out briefly to get some eggs for brunch, and apart from that I've done very little except a laundry load including bedlinen, which is tumbling dry as I type.
I need advice from more seasoned travellers (or at least those who are more tech-savvy) than I.
Having booked my flight online, I got an e-mail from Loganair asking me to check in online. I clicked all the appropriate buttons, and received an e-mail in return, with one of those QR code thingies in it.
Will it be enough to have my mobile with the e-mail on it with me to check in, or do I need to find somewhere where I can physically print it out before going to the airport? This is (quite literally) the first time I've travelled anywhere since I got a smart phone, so I genuinely don't know!
Whilst I have used a print-out of such a code before, the usual intent is that people just present them on their phones. (My experience of this is on travel within the US, but I imagine it's pretty similar.) I usually either take paper with me, or print a paper boarding pass at the kiosk at the airport, on the grounds that a piece of paper can't run out of battery.
Of course - paper copies can get lost!
The one in Dublin would be easier to get to - direct train service from Rosslare.
You could even change to the DART at Luas and go to the Blackrock branch.
/apologies for Irish railway tangent/
It’s been 41 degrees here today! 😵
We fly home tomorrow via Milan.
It’s been just wonderful. Visiting Mike’s MIL and enjoying Georgian food on the terrace of the place where she works for a family. A visit to the beach and a little sightseeing. Of course, spending all day every day with Anuka was the real blessing.
But I don’t recommend travelling abroad just now. The paperwork is crazy, crazy, crazy. Each airport has mad queues - especially for those travelling from non EU countries - and very antiquated systems. The thought that you could fall at any of the hurdles adds to the stress.
Last night we cooked a rib of beef on the barbecue. I'm pleased to say I haven't lost my touch since the days when I used to be the Girl Guides' champion pyromaniac. (There was also something rather satisfying about lighting my magnificent blaze in the presence of a professional fire putter-outer
Thanks for the QR advice, folks - I'll have my mobile charged up and ready! As you say, if all else fails, presumably I can check in manually, pleading the "brainless technopeasant" defence (with thanks to the late, great Uncle Pete).
Laundry has been accomplished, sheets have been returned to their rightful place and chicken with tarragon and crème fraîche has been cooked and consumed.
We spent today spring cleaning the lounge and moving furniture around. Husband is no longer working from home regularly so it was a chance to evict some of his engineering and computer stuff and get the room back to a presentable state again.
Down here in sub-tropical Arkland, it is yet again warm, muggy, cloudy, and bloody well raining...
We appear to have been reduced to having just two seasons - Coldandwet, and Warmandwet.
The recently reported thunderstorm with flash floods wasn't the only one in our area; on Thursday, 24 June, there was another big one further up the valley, and the railway line was cut for several hours due to several (!) massive mudslides. Was ok again though in the morning.
I guess I'll take my waterproofs with me to work this afternoon, I might be stuck on a bus in a storm again, although we hope not! Temperatures should drop to a more humane 21 or 22°C daytime soon. Something to look forward to!
But stay! Even as I write, there is a lighter shade of grey appearing in the firmament, and the waters that are below the firmament are lessening - could it be that The Big Yellow Face, like The Great Pumpkin, is about to grace Arkland with His presence? O, I knew not that Arkland was so sincere!
*swoons*
(No offence is intended to any adherents of The Great Pumpkin who may happen to be reading this).
It's dull but not unpleasant so far here in West Lothian; Iron Ing has been achieved in preparation for Pack Ing (it's so long since I've done any Pack Ing, I suspect I may have forgotten how).
I'm heading into Embra shortly for an appointment with the Audiology people, where I shall have to tell them that the swearing aids hearing aids they so kindly sent are actually a bit rubbish. I'll have a brief foray to the shops for a couple of final Bits and Pieces (new face flannel, handbag-size bottle of scent) on my way back, then probably a snoozette followed by a nice steak for supper.
Sounds like a nice gentle day, Piglet. I want to take a bicycle to Orkney if I ever get there again, I reckon Mainland would be far more entertaining to cycle round.
I have also discovered a nifty trick for getting the pits out - stand a funnel upside down in a bowl and press the cherries down on top. The pit gets caught in the end. Still a bit messy but nowhere near so horrific as doing it with a knife.
I am having a very dull day. I’ve even checked into work (despite not currently working as my contract is term time only) but there wasn’t much going on. Tomorrow I may have to do my annual training to relieve the monotony.
Still, it’s beef curry for tea so I might go all fancy and make some accompanying veg dishes.
I couldn't say, but the seasons do seem to have gone All Peculiar...
My sister just posted a picture on What's App of her feet in the sea in Orkney.
Reasonably successful trip to the audiology bloke - he agreed that the domes they'd sent were Quite Wrong, and replaced same.
The effect was a definite improvement, but I think for now I'll stick with the posh ones, mostly because they're rechargeable. I'm keeping the NHS ones as backup though.
Once back in Princes Street I managed to get the small scent bottle but not the face flannel; the M&S there doesn't seem to have household stuff. No matter: I also went into Monsoon and treated myself to a lovely denim top with embroidery on it - just the thing for the slightly more temperate climate in Orkney.
Heavenlyannie, Sanders is right - you absolutely should go up if you get the chance - it's gorgeous.
Biased, moi???
@Piglet may well be biased, but I would also recommend Orkney as a great place to go. If you decide to go somewhere, then let me know, and I'll be very happy to lend you maps/send you bumph I've still got knocking about the place. I'd also suggest that if you're into visiting the historical sites, Historic Scotland used to do a visitor pass which allowed you unlimited entry to sites for (I think) a week. If you planned to do most of main sites in Orkney, it was MUCH cheaper to do it that way than by paying for all of them... Don't know if they still do it, mind you.
explorer-pass
Passes are valid for 3, 7 or 14 consecutive days.
A pass is activated on its first use. Multiple sites can be visited on any single day. Any specific site can be visited only once.