Orkney Day 4: Khyber Pass, Stromness

Bright and perishing very fresh this morning and off we went to the Brough of Gurness. iron Age this time - a round tower surrounded by a small village. Again, it was so well preserved and everything so well organised, it was easy to imagine living there, albeit a bit smoky and not much privacy.
Fuelled with fresh cinnamon buns, we had a proper look around St Magnus cathedral - 11c and very beautiful. Then on to Maes Howe - the most famous of the many chambered cairns on the islands. You have to have a timed appointment for this but it still felt magical. Inside the cairn was corbelled, and chambered, the passage way designed to illuminate the interior at the Winter Solstice. perhaps even more interesting, 11C Vikings had broken in through the roof and carved graffiti in runes all over the place. Some things never change - the messages remain the same, who did what with who, who was the best at carving runes, who fancied who. Oddly moving.

After a picnic by the sea watching seals, we headed in to Stromness. A lot of bimbling and blipping in the scenic little streets, the side streets all going directly down to the sea - see extra for beachcombed finds. Nice windows too. Many of the streets are named after events in British history - I especially liked coming across the Khyber Pass! And this is not pedestrianised! Cars are allowed down here, in both directions! Terrifying at the first attempt - glad Himself was driving.

Listen to this mellow version of Peter Maxwell Davies' Farewell to Stromness 


Backblip: Orkney day 3

And do take a look at Son of Chirp spotted by Himself in his workshop! There are at least two of them in there and Chirp is looking exhausted!