Swans and wet feet

The morning started dull and damp but by lunchtime the sun had come out and the sky was blue and clear.
While the rest of the world celebrated International Women's Day in March, Orkney decided it would be on April 2nd (today). I went into Kirkwall to lend my support to a programme of events at the Town Hall. Unfortunately I missed the talk about Beatrix Potter as scientist but I really enjoyed talking to some dynamic women who had created projects to help women and children in Bolivia, Zimbabwee and Bangladesh among others. It is absolutely amazing that a tiny island community of less than 20,000 people can support 5 substantial projects in a variety of countries around the world.
It was such a beautiful day I decided to go to Stenness to photograph the Standing Stones at Brodgar. I love my new camera, a Christmas present from Sean! As I was leaving I noticed some swans swimming close to the edge of the loch so wandered a bit closer to see if I could get some photos. Another couple of photographers were thinking the same and gor there before me, scaring off the swans in the process. However, I managed to creep up on the pair as they were preening their feathers further along the waterside. I was amazed how close they let me get but the hazzard of waterside photography is wet feet! Never mind. I think I got some decent photos. If the weather stays this good I will get out to Skara Brae and perhaps Maeshowe too.

Seeing Stars

I arrived in Orkney at 11.15 pm on the Hrossey from Aberdeen. It hadn't been the best of crossings but it was a beautiful evening in Kirkwall. The road was quiet at that time so I drove out to Mum's really quickly. Of course there was nothing to see in the dark but as I got to Mum's and stepped out of the car I looked up at the star filled sky. It had been so long since I had actually seen stars in the sky as they are usually obliterated by city street lighting. It was breathtaking with so many twinkly lights up above in an absolutely clear Orkney sky.