The wheels on the bike go round and ..........

As part of this year’s Orkney Folk Festival CMC had always had her heart set upon attending last night’s Concert and ceilidh at Birsay.  However it was selt oot before we could even get out of the starter blocks and, despite having several pals ‘in the know’, no tickets were to be had.  Undeterred CMC drove across to Birsay at 6.0pm(kick off was at 7.30) determined to get in.  Low and behold Colin Kelday produced two tickets within 5 minutes.  What a boost.  A feast of music included Sharon Shannon, a farewell appearance from the New Rope String band and some excellently played fiddle and piano from Erika Shearer and Steven Flett.  Dance music (by Raymond Chuchuk Band) was spot on and we even squeezed in a ‘Strip the Willow Square’.  Home at 2.30 a.m.

Up this morning to attend a concert by Mike Vass who retraced the steps of Neil Gunn in his journey from ‘Off in a Boat’.  Venue was Stromness Academy.  We also said farewell today to guests who had stayed for two weeks at Creel HQ.  I then managed a quick spin along the road to the Mill of Ireland.

Tonight we are attending a Concert and ceilidh at Holm.  Friends arriving tomorrow from Kingussie, for a few days.  Relatives also just phoned from Aberdeen for a bed the morn’s night.  We are all meeting in the Stromness Hotel bar tomorrow and then progressing on for a get together meal.  I now have to dash off and prepare the tea (smoked fish, leeks, tatties and asparagus).  Nobody needs to know any of this but at least it’s oot of me system.  Dictated under hypnosis.