Sunday, 16 May 2010

Long sunny days - weather to make me smile

The Biker Man is at work this weekend, so yesterday I took myself off to Stromness.  Mainly it was to purchase some tickets from the Orkney Folk Festival box office but that was only an excuse.  I just wanted to meander up and down the main street, popping in and out of the shops.
 
Stomness - a view up the main street


I love Stromness, it's quirky and there's always something to see up and down the narrow alleyways.  Every now and then you catch a glimpse of the harbour, or the islands across the water, through the gaps between the houses.


Glimpses between the houses


The streets are narrow and every time a car drives through you have to step back against a wall or into a gap or alleyway between the houses.  It's the sort of street that makes you stroll rather than hurry.  The architecture and style of the area is interesting, so you are always looking up at roof tops and down into tiny little gardens.  Last year the gardens were full of hanging baskets and pots of flowers sat beside doorways.  Already people are growing small plants in pots in sunny corners.




I think it's a shame that so many visitors appear to drive off the ferry and straight out of Stromness.  I'm sure that they catch up with the town later in their visit, but if they don't then they've missed a gem.  There are some wonderful craft shops down the main street and I spent a lovely morning getting ideas for birthday and Christmas presents.  I ended up at the library and left with three recipe books to look at for inspiration.  It doesn't really matter that I've got more than 200 recipe books on my own book shelves.  These were different ones, and there's always room for another idea or two. 


I spent the afternoon pottering and putting some more rhubarb in the freezer.  We are going to really appreciate this taste of spring next winter.  Rhubarb crumble and custard.  Lovely.


The days are getting longer and after dinner we decided to take advantage of the beautiful sunny evening and took ourselves off to Evie for a walk on the beach.  As we left the beach at 9pm, the sun was just setting.



Our shadows on the beach
Looking across to Rousay

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