Yesterday I realised that I had not issued a new Saga for several weeks so here goes.

Rosie and Nessie, the two sheep on loan to Bob Tateson from David & Barbara Brightwell, are still doing their environmentally friendly lawnmower act in Bob's garden. They were sheared about 3 weeks ago - that took two men and one dog to round them up, take them to the farm for shearing and return them to Bob's garden. They looked rather forlorn for the next day or two but now appear to have grown accustomed to their short back and sides.

I've been attended the Monday evening singing classes run by Michael Lee. At the end of May Yvonne Harcus, the local Radio Orkney rep, came along to our class and recorded us singing as well as interviewing several people. I listened to the broadcast on the morning of Tuesday 31 May and thought we sounded rather good!

Our locum minister, Rev Dr Jennifer George, is now our official minister having been inducted to the Eday with Stronsay churches on Wed 01 June. Rev Kristin Saldine, a friend of Jennifer, travelled all the way from the USA to preach at Jennifer's first Sunday service after being inducted.

In the first week of June there was a funeral service on Stronsay. It was for an 88-year old lady, born on Stronsay in 1916 and one of sixteen children. How they managed to make ends meet in those days is beyond me.

On Saturday 18 June the doorbell rang as we were preparing to go to the Stronsay Gala. It was Stephen Davie, a Canadian who is tracing his family's Orcadian roots. We had exchanged emails for several months so we knew he was visiting Orkney in June but did not know when he would arrive. It was nice to meet him in the flesh so we gave him a quick trip around the island before dragging him along to the Stronsay Gala. I think he enjoyed himself before leaving to spend a few days on Papa Stronsay. The Stronsay Gala was well attended and included two Clydesdale horses, a dog display team and various other sideshows.

The regular organist at the Kirk had a day off on the Sunday after the Stronsay Gala so I was asked to play the organ. Just as the service was about to start Jennifer came over to me and whispered that there might be a power cut as one of the wooden poles which carry the electricity distribution cables was on fire just up the road. In the event the power did not go off but it was nerve-wracking to play the organ, not knowing whether the electricity would go off or not.

We have discovered that our cat, Surrey, loves water and likes nothing better than to play with a dripping tap in the sink. We have heard that there were Siamese cats on the island a few years ago so Surrey may well be a distant relative of them.

The monks from Papa Stronsay held a bonfire on Fri 24 Jun - the feast of St John the Baptist. Unfortunately we did not go because we only saw the posters on Thursday and Maureen would not be very happy about travelling over to Papa Stronsay on the small boat. It was a pity because the monks had gone to a lot of trouble producing the bonfire and their usual, excellent supply of food.

We have not been into Kirkwall for several weeks but this week we had two trips, both by air. On Monday we both visited the optician for eye tests and new spectacles, and yesterday (Thursday) when Maureen had a hospital appointment. I was amazed when the optician phoned on Wednesday to tell me that the glasses I ordered on Monday had arrived, what quick service.

I have done very little in the garden this summer apart from keeping the grass from getting too long so on Tuesday I took the plunge and ordered a new wheelbarrow and grass strimmer. They arrived yesterday so as soon as it stops raining I shall have no excuse for not tidying up the lawn and flowerbeds.

Last updated 01 July 2005