Day 9 - Ferry to Orkney

It was a beautiful sunny morning so I went for a run covering the same route as the parkrun but this time at a slower pace with a few photo stops.

 
The Thurso River

 
The Thurso River from the lower bridge

 
The Thurso River with gorse lined banks from upper bridge

 
The Boating Lake

 We had breakfast and walked into Thurso to kill time before checking out.  We got to the Ferry Terminal quite early thinking we would have to queue but they were already checking in so we got into the queue and then went for a walk along the coast path to Holborn lighthouse and then further up the hill where there were good views across to Thurso, Dunnet Head and Hoy.  We could see the ferry coming so made our way back to the car.

 
Holborn Lighthouse

 
Holborn Lighthouse from top of the hill

 

The crossing was very smooth and we had some great views of Hoy, including the "Old Man of Hoy".  The approach to Stromness was also very pretty.  

 

 
Old Man of Hoy rock formation

 
High cliffs on Hoy

 
Old Man of Hoy and rock formations on Hoy

 
 
Approaching Stromness

 
Approaching Stromness

We found our lodge easily and it was ready for us so we took all our bags in and made ourselves at home.  It is a 2 bedroom lodge with a combined lounge/kitchen.  There is an enormous picture window looking over the sea with a lovely view.  The beach is quite rocky and there is a lot of seaweed but this does not smell.  We have already seen a seal and lots of waders.


 
Our lounge/kitchen with a view

 
View from our lodge at low tide

 
Curlew

 
Oystercatcher

 
Redshank

 
Gull

 
Redshank having a bath

We went into Kirkwall to get some groceries but as it was such a lovely evening we took a look around the town and harbour before going to Lidl's and then getting a takeaway.  On the way back to our lodge we saw a large Owl.  It was sitting on a fence post and flew down into the field.  It must have been a Short Eared Owl as they are the only breeding owls on Orkney and hunt during the day.  Apparently they are quite common here so will look out for more over the next 2 weeks.

 
St Magnus Cathedral,  Kirkwall

 
The Bishops Palace, part of Kirkwall Castle

 
The Earls Palace, part of Kirkwall Castle

 
Kirkwall pedestrianised street

 
Unusual building in Kirkwall

 
Former lighthouse in harbour
 

 
Kirkwall and harbour


It was approaching high tide when we got back and it seemed to start turning at around 10pm.   We saw some kayakers crossing the bay and then they disappeared into Finstown.  A little later, as the light was fading I saw what at first seemed to be someone swimming but it was a smallish dark coloured bird, doing what looked like the butterfly stroke.  I took some videos while there was light.  It was joined by another bird of the same species a little later but the second bird was swimming normally.  Could they be Manx Shearwaters??

 
Dark coloured sea birds

 
Dark coloured sea birds video

 
Dark Coloured Sea Birds video

I went to bed at 11.15 and it was still reasonably light.  I doubt it will be really dark until midnight. at least.  The bird is still flapping away with the other one nearby.  I hope it is not caught up in some netting or something.


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