I've been trying out some new software and have produced a slideshow on my website - go to www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont and select the slideshow option. It should open in a new web browser window, there are two pages of thumbnail-size images (46 in total) which you can click on to enlarge or you can run a complete slideshow. Some of the images are already on my website but there are quite a few new ones of Surrey, our cat. Close the new window after you have finished with the slide show. Comments (brickbats or bouquets) would be welcome.

The ferry timetable for Kirkwall, Eday, Sanday and Stronsay is being disrupted as MV Varagen, one of the 3 ferries, has mechanical trouble so it has to be taken out of service for a week or two to be fixed. The journey time between Kirkwall and Stronsay is taking an extra 30 or 40 minutes.

We visited Kirkwall on Tuesday. The main purpose of the visit was to enable Maureen to go to the hairdressers. Maureen did indeed get her hair "done" and joined me for a pleasant lunch at the Kirkwall Hotel. Unfortunately it poured with rain at 2 pm as we were walking from the Kirkwall Hotel to the supermarket to do a bit of shopping before getting the bus back to the aiport at 3 pm. We had to endure soaking wet clothes until we got back home at 4:15 pm for a very welcome hot bath and some clean, dry clothes.

Maureen is busy preparing the house for visitors from Hampshire on 19 Aug. And on 29 Aug we start cat-sitting for an 18-year old, three-legged, toothless cat whilst its owners are away for two or three weeks.

Last updated 03 August 2005