Earlier that same day.....

A visit to the Hoy Kirk yard.  On the beach a seal pup and a very big mermaid's purse.  It became squallier and chillier.  A pot of soup on the stove was the only possible prescription.

The Hoy Postie called with a letter and, over a cuppa, updated us about: Donald's 17 years at the fish farm, Dan's girlfriend, the Fletts' visit to North Ronaldsay, Euans slates off his roof, mass slip of slates off Basil's old byre at the Glebe,  Joyce and Maggie missing the bin man, treatment for her in growing toenails, the 'Lassac's' man has a bad leg so he can't see to the bairn. She also said she hasn't seen my problem in 'Take a Break' and she's had a letter from her Aubty in Bogota - the first in 14 months.