Birsay

The promised sunshine was only intermittent and we did have a few spots of rain in the afternoon which was unexpected.

Our first stop was at the Orkney Brewery now located in the former school house at Quoyloo. We only had a coffee, purchasing a couple of cans for later. The building had been tastefully converted and continued to pay tribute to its history as a school.

Our next stop was at the Sands of Evie for a walk along the beach, visiting the Broch of Gurness looping back to the carpark after a fine stretch of coastline looking out over Eynhallow Sands (see extra) with Rousey in the background.

Our next port of call was the RSPB reserves at The Loon, spending a little time listening to or watching birds. While at Evie we think we saw a sea eagle.

The final destination was the Broch of Birsay, a settlement last occupied by the Vikings but earlier by the Picts. We walked the trail around the island before turning back to Stromness.

After all that it was our turn to cook with an additional pressure of having Elaine over for supper.

Prior to all of this I went for a run, ending up at the slip near the campsite hoping to catch up with Lady Findhorn who had already finished her morning swim. Lovely to meet her if only for the briefest of moments