Day 14 - Shapinsay
Today started with Kirkwall parkrun which I managed to get my 4th equal fastest time (equal with 2 other events). There was a strong headwind (and tail wind but I didnt notice it going the other way). There were 5 points where we had to do a 180 degree turn.
There were 2 smallish cruise ships in Kirkwall harbour and loads of cruise buses and bendy buses taking the passengers on tours of Orkney.
We went back to the apartment and while I showered and changed, Paul put the bikes on the car and we then drove back to Kirkwall to catch the ferry to Shapinsay. This is a lot flatter than Rousay was but the roads are still undulating. One of the roads took us from sea level up Ward Hill, the highest point on the island at 65m. It was a lot colder than we have experienced and the wind chill didnt help.
The ferry terminal is in the little village of Balfour where most of the islands housing is. Most of the island is farmed, both livestock and arable. All roads leading from the harbour went uphill. We went east and first took a look at the Old Church which was build in 1559 but replaced in 1802. The walls remain and the bell is on show outside but there is no roof.
We turned to the north and found a single standing stone and a view to Castle Bloody up on the clifftop in the distance. Castle Bloody is a prehistoric feature which is not fully understood.
Whilst cycling to Burroughston Broch, Paul was well ahead of me because he goes extremely fast downhill whereas I try and keep the speed down to avoid falling off the bike. He stopped near a farmhouse and then gestured to me to stop. There was a bee on the road, clearly struggling. It may have been cold or it could have been in need of pollen. All but a couple of the dandelions nearby had gone to seed so I picked him up and put him on one that was still in flower. It was still on the same flower when we returned about 40 mins later.
We had lunch at Burroughston Broch at the very northern point, which is a well conserved broch and still shows the stone cupboards and shelves that the inhabitants made when building the broch.
We made our way back to Balfour, stopping first to look at the new church, built in 1802 and then the former Gas House, which was the gas works in the mid 19th century.
We had about 30 minutes in Balfour before the ferry left so we cycled around and then up to the former gatehouse for Balfour House. There was a curious tower at the entrance to the harbour and apparently it is called the Dishan Tower or Douche and is a salt water shower with a dovecote on top dating back to the mid 19th century.
In Balfour there is a sign to the RSPB Mill Dam reserve but on their website this doesnt exist. We didnt really have time but made a decision not to go up there after our experiences yesterday.
We got the ferry back to Kirkwall and went to the apartment for a rest before going back in the evening for a meal in one of the restaurants along the sea front.
Comments
Post a Comment