Tag Archives: Stromness

Cullen skink, virgin money and fishermen’s kisses.

I’ve seen several buildings advertising virgin money; the mind boggles! A wee man got on the bus in a small village between Stromness to Kirkwall, in his once-dapper blue jacket and faded walking cane. Deafness wasn’t going to prevent a conversation. He was off to town because the village shop was a wee bit dear.Continue reading “Cullen skink, virgin money and fishermen’s kisses.”

Snippets

Laundry is available in Stromness… at 15 pound ($30) a wash! Fish and chips in Stromness 8 pound a piece of fish ($16) . Traditionally wrapped in newsprint, but what’s this? Inside is a perfectly good recyclable box… maybe the newsprint tradition is too strong? Bus drivers… stopping at a terminal to have a quickContinue reading “Snippets”

Time-warped in Orkney!

The first clue was the sight of the grand old Stromness Hotel where I was booked. It sits fair on the harbour, centre stage, unchanged since it was built in cobbled-street days. No modern ramps or disability services here. Steps up to the front door, then just inside the lobby, wonders of wonders, an oldContinue reading “Time-warped in Orkney!”

Questions; so many questions

Inverness to Thurso and on to Stromness left so many questions! As the train travels north, the scenery transforms from rich farmland to the endless pink heather of hard ground. Writers and poets have used words like ‘bleak’ to describe the miles of flowering groundcover, but I saw vast areas of natural beauty. But then,Continue reading “Questions; so many questions”