10/3/22We have been here five days now and today is my dad’s 89th birthday. The drive up on Saturday was exceptional. We left later than we had planned because packing the car became more like a game show competition – but we won! Literally squeezing things in as high as the roof and with David’s knees almost at his chin we started off on our 7hour journey. We left at 6am (up at 4am) and driving through the dawn was magical as it was the most consistently sunny day I have ever experienced in Scotland. The Gods (or Grans) were with us! We had to stop at Glencoe to take photos because it was just too beautiful not to; 
Looking back at GLENCOE
We had one stop for brunch on the way then carried on to get to Gills Bay for the Ferry leaving at 1:30.Brilliant smooth crossing. I had a bit of a wobble, nothing to do with seasickness, I just became overwhelmed with emotions and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so I did both, with a few snorts of course! Rallied round after some food and then we were HOME, Orkney!
Waiting on the Ferry at Gills Bay
Orkney on the horizon
St.Margarets Hope
Landed in St. Margaret’s Hope and drove 30 minutes to our temporary home of Stromness and the Stromness Hotel.
Old hotel built in 1901, seen better days but has a quaint welcoming feel even although it is mostly deserted with being ‘out of season’. I love the old single glazed sash windows which rattle. Well, rattled so much I found a very good use for some folded business cards!Viewed a house yesterday for rent and another today, the search continues.12/3/22First week completed and we have a home! Sign the lease on Sunday – whoohoo! It’s more than I could ever have dreamt of. A small 2 bedroomed semi-cottage with a garden and a STUDIO! A bizzare set of circumstances as to why it is there. The last tenant disappeared after lockdown and left many structural changes to the house as well as a quite will built wooden outhouse with windows. The agreement with the landlord is that we can do what we like with it as it doesn’t come under the rest of the tenancy agreement. I have a studio with a floor that can get messy, yee ha!Photos to follow.......