Gaan Oot

Gaan Oot.
I had the obligatory swim this morning  before being whisked away by EllyJay and Neil for a trip to south Ronaldsay with lunch at Robertson’s Restaurant in St Margaret’s Hope. We drove along roads well kent from of old but rarely visited now without a car. The sun shone and we bowled along under summer skies, over the barriers, admiring the deserted beaches and the endless green fields with grazing cattle until we reached the Hope and saw the Pentalina catamaran ferry  arriving from mainland Scotland. On a whim we continued on to find the tiny hamlet where blipper Poppy lives and in doing so came across her by pure accident walking Lottie along a deserted road.  Fate seems to be playing a blinder with me this holiday.

In the Hope, we visited the little community garden which is sheltered from the elements by trees but yields a view through them of the sea and fortuitously the Pentalina leaving for Gill's Bay. We also visited the craft shop in the village and lusted after the knitwear,  some of which was done by Poppy. 

 Then it was back to Finstown and a walk through Firth Park with its amazing variety of trees, bushes and flowers. For all the years I have cycled, driven or bussed through the village I never guess this botanical haven existed. What a find , especially at this time of year with everything in bloom.


We concluded today’s round trip returning by high ways and lesser known byways through Dounby and Kirbister. It is so lovely to get the chance of reaching the places in Orkney not served by buses. 
A grand day out for sure!