Sian Thomas wrote: > I generally avoid being photographed but with so many keen amateur > photographers on the island it's difficult! > > All our community events will include the youngest (currently a few months > old) to the oldest (at 73). On the Orkney Mainland I have been to > "traditional" dances and ceilidhs where there is a great mixture of ages. > ONe think I like is that even the kids will know the traditional dances as > they learn them in school. They go a bit coy in the early teenage years but > can still be persuaded (dragged) onto the dance floor too, and will at any > rate attend and join in the fun. Like you, that's one of the things I > really enjoy about events in Orkney. Generally in England the only time you > would get such an event is likely to be at family weddings, and then it > tends to be "disco" dancing. Whenever there is a wedding on Stronsay there is a dance in the Community Centre to which everyone on the island is invited. Young and old dance together without a trace of self-consciousness, no "wallflowers" or moody teenagers. And there is at least one blackening during the week before the wedding <g> -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont> "Do you get virgin wool from ugly sheep?"

Ruby (one of the fiddle players) was brought up on Graemsay, she now lives in Stromness but comes over to play at our events. The two boys also live in the town but their father was also brought up on Graemsay so they come back to play. Unfortunately the children currently living on the island show no particular interest in learning a musical instrument. Although one of the young island boys is a very entertaining "Young Magician"! Sian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charlie Petersen" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 1:24 AM Subject: [ORCADIA] Wicker Man > Hi Norman - > Remind me where you are again - Dumphries? I didn't realize there were TWO > Wicker Mans - I saw last year's, it was dreadful. Now I've sent for the > one > from 1973 with Edward Woodward. > Sian, you look adorable, what a website your neighbor has - and what fun > everyone seems to be having - quite a few "button box" players and a > fiddle > too! > Warm regards, > Charlie Petersen > Port Townsend Washington USA > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Last year the Graemsay only got cancelled on one day - much to STevie's disapointment. I think he likes the challenge of sailing the boat in rough weather! I agree that the Hamnavoe does seem to be cancelled on quite a few occasions in the winter. As I said to Charles, I'll maybe keep a diary this winter and see just how many (or few) times. I have heard that most of the freight traffic is going on Banks' ferry on the short sea crossing, very little of it apparently coming up on the Hamnavoe. Allegedly due to cost but I don't know how true that is. Sian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Fletcher (Stronsay)" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 10:26 AM Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney > Sian Thomas wrote: >> What - you let a bit of a breeze and a slight swell put you off? You >> have >> to be tough to live on a wee island - tough and with a large freezer to >> enable one to look at the boat bouncing across the waves from the confort >> of >> the conservatory with no need to venture forth for several days! > > Quite so. The Northern Isles ferries sail in almost all weathers. When > the ferries don't sail it is not because the ship would be in danger > from the wind or waves but because the vehicles (& passengers) it > carried would be in danger of being damaged (or injured). > The Scrabster/Stromness ferry (MV Hamnavoe) is often cancelled due to > bad weather in the Pentland Firth. However, the Hamnavoe is a floating > gin palace whereas what's really needed is a larger version of the > Northern Isles ferries; the restaurants, bars and shops on the Hamnavoe > are totally un-necessary for a crossing that only takes 90 minutes. > -- > Bruce Fletcher > Stronsay, Orkney > <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont> > "Do you get virgin wool from ugly sheep?" > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

I generally avoid being photographed but with so many keen amateur photographers on the island it's difficult! All our community events will include the youngest (currently a few months old) to the oldest (at 73). On the Orkney Mainland I have been to "traditional" dances and ceilidhs where there is a great mixture of ages. ONe think I like is that even the kids will know the traditional dances as they learn them in school. They go a bit coy in the early teenage years but can still be persuaded (dragged) onto the dance floor too, and will at any rate attend and join in the fun. Like you, that's one of the things I really enjoy about events in Orkney. Generally in England the only time you would get such an event is likely to be at family weddings, and then it tends to be "disco" dancing. Sian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Norman Tulloch" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 9:57 PM Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney > > Yes, I think I've just about worked out which one is you. Very smart > you look too. My own attitude to being photographed is that it's just > fine so long as I've got a bag over my head. > > One of the things I like about the island dances is that there seems to > be a mix of ages, with little kids, teenagers, young parents, > middle-aged people and the elderly mixing and enjoying themselves > together. Much healthier than the sort of age segregation that occurs in > most urban and rural parts of the UK, and on the Mainland of Orkney too, > I think. > > I haven't watched "The Wicker Man" for a long time. Most of it was > filmed around here, but I'm afraid it seemed like dreadful nonsense to > me. Maybe I'll watch it again sometime and see if it seems any better. > > Norman Tulloch > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

I do agree that all customers deserve a quality service in all respects, and something that, to use the latest current phrase "is fit for purpose". However as a tourist travelling around on various ferries worldwide over the years - I require a reliable timetable on vessels with comfortable seats and decent coffee, but I would rather pay a little less and forgoe all the chrome and plushness. Unless I chose to go on a cruise then I would expect the vessel to be a floating 5 star hotel! I do disagree about the Hamnavoe being rarely cancelled. I can see the Hamnavoe n Stromness harbour from any window at the rear of my house, and in the winter I often note that it is cancelled for part of the day at least. And the shelves in the Co-op stand empty on several days in the winter. Maybe this year I'll keep a diary out of interest to see whether my perception is correct or not. As to information - I was at the Inter Isles Ferry Consultative meeting at the OIC on Monday and a question was raised about the electronic information boards on display in all the island waiting rooms. Most have been blank except for one red light for a couple of years. These boards were provided by HiTrans as is the software, which is now also many years old. Unbelievably although Orkney Ferries are now about to get these working, the most the boards will say is that ferries are running to schedule or are delayed! It is just not possible for them to actually display the timetable or time of next ferry!! OR to say that the ferry is full and if you are not booked don't bother waiting! Incredible!! Considering that several of the north isles ferries have timetables that vary on different days of the week one would think that this sort of information would be invaluable and at least a minimum requirement! The Islands brochure is often out of date by the time summer arrives too. The Graemsay information has been out of date for over two years, despite us going through the community council, the liaison officer to get this rectified. This year I'll just email Morag at the Council direct and see if she can get her red pen out! I heartily agree that joined-up information is essential to aid tourists and locals alike. Sian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles Tait" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; "Samantha Hill" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 11:24 AM Subject: [ORCADIA] Ferries and quality > Hi there > > I absolutely and totally disagree Bruce. The North Isles ferries are > nearing the end of their working lives here. There were designed in the > 1980s by engineers, not ship architects and apart from the very steep > and narrow stairs, total lack of access for the disabled, infirm, or > even those carrying babies, their passenger accommodation is > uncomfortable, old fashioned and very stuffy. > > This is no criticism of the ships themselves, the service (although the > timetables are complex), the shipping co., etc. > > The Hamnavoe is a very solid, new ship designed to last and to offer > agood service to its passengers. It is very very rarely cancelled, and > is a comfortable ship in which to travel. I frequently travel early or > late and appreciate the good food, nice coffee and the occasional drink. > > Aslso at 5 years old it still looks new inside and out. And likely so > will the the Banks' new catamaran when it comes into service. The point > is many people are apprehensive of ferries, get seasick etc. A quality > service experience is thus very important. > > Of course the OIC is now discussing new ferries for the North Isles. > They will have to meet different regulations than the previous ones, and > will hopefully be designed from the deck up for passenger comfort. Of > course there is the utilitarian need for cheap transport, but to design > a ship from the point of view of its cargo should not be more expensive. > > Finally as chairman of Orkney Tourism Group I am very committed to > improving and maintaining the overall experience our visitors get whilst > in Orkney. These include people on holiday from outside Orkney and > those visiting other parts of the islands. > > The future wellbeing of Orkney depends fundamentally on having a > successful and thriving tourist industry. Whether you like it or not > the North Isles are part of that. You are never going to have a huge > influx of visitors, but instead of a few hardy and interested souls who > make it to your island you may get a few more, who in turn will spend > some money on the island. > > However the ferry experinece is not the only thing the isles need to > look at. Subtle things can make a big difference, such as rod signs, > parking places, opening times to suit ferry times, and maybe above all > information. > > I do not propose excessively fancy ships or services, but i do feel that > you are taking quite the wrong approach when you suggest "any old thing > will do". In fact the further out you get the MORE important is > assurance of quality. > > Sorry but I feel strongly about this. > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

I have seen pictures of you "bit of breeze and slight swell". Our email friend that lives in the Highlands (grew up on Orkney) was a captain on the offshore service ships for many years. I have a picture he sent me years ago that one of his crew took from the bridge of their ship with a camera with a long lens. They and one of their sister ships had left Scotland and were headed across the Pentland to a rig they were going to move the anchors for. The other ship is about a half mile ahead,,in the picture she has her bow buried in a wave clear up to the middle of the bridge tower. I don't mean spray,,,she was half way under water! Her stern was sticking up so high that the screws were out of the water and heeled over so far to port that her starboard thrusters were showing.!! Billies caption was "Just another day at the office in the Pentland"..........errrrrrr,,,,,ahhhhh,,,No Thanks! R -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Sian Thomas Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 4:05 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney What - you let a bit of a breeze and a slight swell put you off? You have to be tough to live on a wee island - tough and with a large freezer to enable one to look at the boat bouncing across the waves from the confort of the conservatory with no need to venture forth for several days! Sian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Royce Perry" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:11 PM Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney > Jeepers!!!! Just had a look at his video clip of your wee Graemsay coming > across in the winter!! Forget the light house!!! I am a flat lander!!!... > A > DRY flat lander! That water is neither Flat nor Dry!! > <goes to find a towel to dry off and get warm again> > R > > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Moi McCarty wrote: > The older locals still remember the film being made and the arrival of > the cast and crew had a real impact on the area. > Moi (a bit off topic again with Galloway rather than Orkney - sorry) Dear God, Moi, I'm a little alarmed to find that I must have turned into an older local when I wasn't looking, since I can remember the film being made! In fact, a friend of mine used to boast that her knocker appeared in the film (though it was in fact on her parents' front door in Whithorn). However, as you say, this is all shockingly off-topic, and I'll leave it there. Norman Tulloch

Hi there I absolutely and totally disagree Bruce. The North Isles ferries are nearing the end of their working lives here. There were designed in the 1980s by engineers, not ship architects and apart from the very steep and narrow stairs, total lack of access for the disabled, infirm, or even those carrying babies, their passenger accommodation is uncomfortable, old fashioned and very stuffy. This is no criticism of the ships themselves, the service (although the timetables are complex), the shipping co., etc. The Hamnavoe is a very solid, new ship designed to last and to offer agood service to its passengers. It is very very rarely cancelled, and is a comfortable ship in which to travel. I frequently travel early or late and appreciate the good food, nice coffee and the occasional drink. Aslso at 5 years old it still looks new inside and out. And likely so will the the Banks' new catamaran when it comes into service. The point is many people are apprehensive of ferries, get seasick etc. A quality service experience is thus very important. Of course the OIC is now discussing new ferries for the North Isles. They will have to meet different regulations than the previous ones, and will hopefully be designed from the deck up for passenger comfort. Of course there is the utilitarian need for cheap transport, but to design a ship from the point of view of its cargo should not be more expensive. Finally as chairman of Orkney Tourism Group I am very committed to improving and maintaining the overall experience our visitors get whilst in Orkney. These include people on holiday from outside Orkney and those visiting other parts of the islands. The future wellbeing of Orkney depends fundamentally on having a successful and thriving tourist industry. Whether you like it or not the North Isles are part of that. You are never going to have a huge influx of visitors, but instead of a few hardy and interested souls who make it to your island you may get a few more, who in turn will spend some money on the island. However the ferry experinece is not the only thing the isles need to look at. Subtle things can make a big difference, such as rod signs, parking places, opening times to suit ferry times, and maybe above all information. I do not propose excessively fancy ships or services, but i do feel that you are taking quite the wrong approach when you suggest "any old thing will do". In fact the further out you get the MORE important is assurance of quality. Sorry but I feel strongly about this.

Hello Charlie The first Wicker Man was made over here in the South West corner of Scotland about 50 miles west of Dumfries. The first film has cult status and there is now an increasingly popular Wicker Man festival. There was considerable opposition from some of the local churches when the first festival was mooted. It is a little bizarre that a region that played such an important part in the introduction of Christianity to Scotland is now regarded as a "must see" on the pagan trail! I don't care much for the film but there is no doubt that the first is the one to watch. The older locals still remember the film being made and the arrival of the cast and crew had a real impact on the area. Moi (a bit off topic again with Galloway rather than Orkney - sorry) > Hi Norman - > Remind me where you are again - Dumphries? I didn't realize there were TWO > Wicker Mans - I saw last year's, it was dreadful. Now I've sent for the one > from 1973 with Edward Woodward. > Sian, you look adorable, what a website your neighbor has - and what fun > everyone seems to be having - quite a few "button box" players and a fiddle > too! > Warm regards, > Charlie Petersen > Port Townsend Washington USA > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- M.E.McCarty, Bookseller 13 North Main Street, Wigtown, Newton Stewart Scotland DG8 9HL ++44 (0)1988 402062 VAT Reg. No. GB 430 2058 03

It was a delight to have the boys playing at the party. Both have only just started learning but are turning into accomplished players. They don't get the chance to perform in "public" very often so it's a good experience for them and a very enjoyable one for us too. It really makes the party swing with live music. Thankfully there is a strong traditional music project in evidence inOrkney. And no it's not the actual lighthouse for sale. One of the drawbacks of the house too is there is a 6ft high wall round it so you don't get the benefit of the views either! To be honest (being something under 6ft!) it would feel a bit like living in a prison with no view whatsoever. And the wind whirls round the courtyard with great force so inhabitants have to remember to leave nothing lying around outside for the winter gales! Sian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Royce Perry" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 5:50 PM Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney >I don't think the Wedding slide show he has on the site is on the up and > up!!! Bride and Groom look a bit "odd" to me! Did like the look of all the > younglings playing instruments for the party...good to see the next > generation coming on and bringing the music with them. And the older > players > with their instruments well worn... > > So,,,it's not the light house itself that's for sale? Drat!! I was just > about to break my piggy bank and see if I had enough to bid on it! Of > course > I might have to find a new wife...doubt that Dearly Beloved would be very > keen on living in a light house....on the sea coast,,,that far north. > R > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > On > Behalf Of Sian Thomas > Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 10:42 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney > > re Ship Plotter > I have to say I haven't paid much attention to the detail on the plotter. > I'll ask my neighbour, Mick, about the oil tankers. I know not all the > vessels seem to show on the plotter when I expect them to but not sure > why. > The plotter isn't of much use to me - I just need to look out of the > window > to see where our "Graemsay" is! > > re Hoy Low Lighthouse - it's a bit misleading as it's actually the house > at > Hoy Low which will be for sale sometime in the Spring. The house was > originally two houses and were built for the Lighthouse Keepers and their > families. The house is now one large property, with a large garden plus > courtyard, but the Northern Lighthouse Board still own the lighthouse and > some buildings there. The property is in need of a lot of work, although > structurally it is very sound, and most of the work is probably "cosmetic" > so it won't fetch the premium price, but may well exceed "normal" prices > due > > to novelty value. And we would dearly love it to be a family home, or at > least a home for someone who will live here full time. The two properties > recently sold this year are only lived in part time and it makes a big > difference to our community. > > Sian > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "stephen davie" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:47 PM > Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney > > >> Interesting. The ships all seem to be smaller for some reason, and no >> oil tankers appear on the screen. I thought they were a permanent >> fixture. >> Very kewl idea to plot these. I recognized two ferries I have been on. >> I noticed under properties for sale that the lighthouse called Hoy >> Low lighthouse is to be sold in 2008. Seems like something of a >> landmark and therefore something which normally would not appear >> offered for sale to the public. It appears in the photos to be a >> whacking great walled stoney fortress, and I would think the price >> when offered will be substantial. Won't be a young island couple >> buying that one. >> So then Sian, now when you are waiting for your ferry in Orkney, you >> can snap on your laptop, engage perhaps the remote link, and track >> the Earl Sigurd right to the dock you are standing on. Times are a >> changin'. >> Thanks for that site info. Great lighthouse photo. >> Stephen >> On Sep 12, 2007, at 8:48 AM, Sian Thomas wrote: >> >>> Some of you might be interested in a gizmo set up on my neighbour's >>> website. >>> It's a ship plotter and gives the position of various ships in Orkney >>> waters, including the various Orkney ferries, the Northlink vessels >>> etc. >>> >>> see: www.graemsay.org.uk >>> >>> Either click on the link "Ship Plotter" in the menu on the left of the >>> screen and read the blurb, or simply click on the Orkney Flag at >>> the end of >>> the menu. Mick has this running via his home computer and at the >>> moment >>> it's not running 24/7 but he's working towards that. >>> >>> He also has some interesting photos taken at the top of the >>> lighthouse. >>> Plus photos of various island events, including strange island >>> rituals! >>> >>> Sian >>> Graemsay >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA- >>> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes >>> in the subject and the body of the message >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Sian Thomas wrote: > What - you let a bit of a breeze and a slight swell put you off? You have > to be tough to live on a wee island - tough and with a large freezer to > enable one to look at the boat bouncing across the waves from the confort of > the conservatory with no need to venture forth for several days! Quite so. The Northern Isles ferries sail in almost all weathers. When the ferries don't sail it is not because the ship would be in danger from the wind or waves but because the vehicles (& passengers) it carried would be in danger of being damaged (or injured). The Scrabster/Stromness ferry (MV Hamnavoe) is often cancelled due to bad weather in the Pentland Firth. However, the Hamnavoe is a floating gin palace whereas what's really needed is a larger version of the Northern Isles ferries; the restaurants, bars and shops on the Hamnavoe are totally un-necessary for a crossing that only takes 90 minutes. -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont> "Do you get virgin wool from ugly sheep?"

What - you let a bit of a breeze and a slight swell put you off? You have to be tough to live on a wee island - tough and with a large freezer to enable one to look at the boat bouncing across the waves from the confort of the conservatory with no need to venture forth for several days! Sian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Royce Perry" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:11 PM Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney > Jeepers!!!! Just had a look at his video clip of your wee Graemsay coming > across in the winter!! Forget the light house!!! I am a flat lander!!!... > A > DRY flat lander! That water is neither Flat nor Dry!! > <goes to find a towel to dry off and get warm again> > R > >

I would disagree with you that the restaurants are unnecessary for the 90 minute crossing. When my husband and I go home to visit we are might glad to have the restaurants on the ship because we are travelling with little kids. Little kids don't do as well on snacks when it is meal time and when traveling from Edinburgh in a car, we can't always have a meal with us and in the early morning, there is not much open to feed the kids before we leave on the ferry, if they are awake in teh car. So I do appreciate the ability to have a meal on the ship. If it was just my husband and myself, we would not need it but it may still be appreciated especially after travelling all night. Ginger > Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:26:06 +0100> From: [email protected]> To: [email protected]> Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney> > Sian Thomas wrote:> > What - you let a bit of a breeze and a slight swell put you off? You have > > to be tough to live on a wee island - tough and with a large freezer to > > enable one to look at the boat bouncing across the waves from the confort of > > the conservatory with no need to venture forth for several days! > > Quite so. The Northern Isles ferries sail in almost all weathers. When > the ferries don't sail it is not because the ship would be in danger > from the wind or waves but because the vehicles (& passengers) it > carried would be in danger of being damaged (or injured).> The Scrabster/Stromness ferry (MV Hamnavoe) is often cancelled due to > bad weather in the Pentland Firth. However, the Hamnavoe is a floating > gin palace whereas what's really needed is a larger version of the > Northern Isles ferries; the restaurants, bars and shops on the Hamnavoe > are totally un-necessary for a crossing that only takes 90 minutes.> -- > Bruce Fletcher> Stronsay, Orkney> <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont>> "Do you get virgin wool from ugly sheep?"> > -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message The next generation of MSN Hotmail has arrived - Windows Live Hotmail _________________________________________________________________ Feel like a local wherever you go. http://www.backofmyhand.com

Charlie Petersen wrote: > Hi Norman - > Remind me where you are again - Dumphries? I didn't realize there were TWO > Wicker Mans - I saw last year's, it was dreadful. Now I've sent for the one > from 1973 with Edward Woodward. I'm in the part of south-west Scotland known as Galloway, which is the western part of Dumfries and Galloway region: http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/councils/region7.html I moved into this area back in the late summer of 1972 when the first Wicker Man was being filmed. Most of the main locations were around here, though some of it was filmed in Plockton in the north-west Highlands: http://www.wicker-man.com/locations.php I always thought "The Wicker Man" was quite absurd, but it seems to have become what is known as "a cult film". I wouldn't mind watching it again just to see if it's quite as silly as I thought it was. However, there seems to be general agreement that the 2006 version was a real stinker. Norman Tulloch

>>However the ferry experinece is not the only thing the isles need to look at. A few more laybys where visitors can stop and take photographs would be nice, and a few more litter bins beside them. Jim --------------------------------------------- This message was sent using the UIA Web Mail Server. ULTIMATE Internet Access, Inc http://www.uia.net/

Sian Thomas wrote: > Yes Mick has suddenly gained renewed interest in his site. Not sure I want > to own up to it, but you can see me in several photos under"Mock Wedding" - > I have ginger hair and am wearing a long brown skirt. The "Mock Wedding" > was my idea based on Orkney wedding traditions, as a fund-raiser for hall > funds - any resemblance to the film "The Wicker Man" is purely > coincidental........ honest! Yes, I think I've just about worked out which one is you. Very smart you look too. My own attitude to being photographed is that it's just fine so long as I've got a bag over my head. One of the things I like about the island dances is that there seems to be a mix of ages, with little kids, teenagers, young parents, middle-aged people and the elderly mixing and enjoying themselves together. Much healthier than the sort of age segregation that occurs in most urban and rural parts of the UK, and on the Mainland of Orkney too, I think. I haven't watched "The Wicker Man" for a long time. Most of it was filmed around here, but I'm afraid it seemed like dreadful nonsense to me. Maybe I'll watch it again sometime and see if it seems any better. Norman Tulloch

Hi Norman - Remind me where you are again - Dumphries? I didn't realize there were TWO Wicker Mans - I saw last year's, it was dreadful. Now I've sent for the one from 1973 with Edward Woodward. Sian, you look adorable, what a website your neighbor has - and what fun everyone seems to be having - quite a few "button box" players and a fiddle too! Warm regards, Charlie Petersen Port Townsend Washington USA

Yes Mick has suddenly gained renewed interest in his site. Not sure I want to own up to it, but you can see me in several photos under"Mock Wedding" - I have ginger hair and am wearing a long brown skirt. The "Mock Wedding" was my idea based on Orkney wedding traditions, as a fund-raiser for hall funds - any resemblance to the film "The Wicker Man" is purely coincidental........ honest! Sian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Norman Tulloch" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 3:51 PM Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney Interesting, Sian — though I don't quite know what use I'm going to make of the Ship Plotter. That graemsay.org site is looking in much better shape than the last time I visited it. Clearly someone's been working on it and it's certainly much improved. Possibly delicate question, so feel free to ignore it: can we see you in any of the pictures on the site, such as the Mock Wedding? Norman Tulloch ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

re Ship Plotter I have to say I haven't paid much attention to the detail on the plotter. I'll ask my neighbour, Mick, about the oil tankers. I know not all the vessels seem to show on the plotter when I expect them to but not sure why. The plotter isn't of much use to me - I just need to look out of the window to see where our "Graemsay" is! re Hoy Low Lighthouse - it's a bit misleading as it's actually the house at Hoy Low which will be for sale sometime in the Spring. The house was originally two houses and were built for the Lighthouse Keepers and their families. The house is now one large property, with a large garden plus courtyard, but the Northern Lighthouse Board still own the lighthouse and some buildings there. The property is in need of a lot of work, although structurally it is very sound, and most of the work is probably "cosmetic" so it won't fetch the premium price, but may well exceed "normal" prices due to novelty value. And we would dearly love it to be a family home, or at least a home for someone who will live here full time. The two properties recently sold this year are only lived in part time and it makes a big difference to our community. Sian ----- Original Message ----- From: "stephen davie" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:47 PM Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Ship Plotter - Orkney > Interesting. The ships all seem to be smaller for some reason, and no > oil tankers appear on the screen. I thought they were a permanent > fixture. > Very kewl idea to plot these. I recognized two ferries I have been on. > I noticed under properties for sale that the lighthouse called Hoy > Low lighthouse is to be sold in 2008. Seems like something of a > landmark and therefore something which normally would not appear > offered for sale to the public. It appears in the photos to be a > whacking great walled stoney fortress, and I would think the price > when offered will be substantial. Won't be a young island couple > buying that one. > So then Sian, now when you are waiting for your ferry in Orkney, you > can snap on your laptop, engage perhaps the remote link, and track > the Earl Sigurd right to the dock you are standing on. Times are a > changin'. > Thanks for that site info. Great lighthouse photo. > Stephen > On Sep 12, 2007, at 8:48 AM, Sian Thomas wrote: > >> Some of you might be interested in a gizmo set up on my neighbour's >> website. >> It's a ship plotter and gives the position of various ships in Orkney >> waters, including the various Orkney ferries, the Northlink vessels >> etc. >> >> see: www.graemsay.org.uk >> >> Either click on the link "Ship Plotter" in the menu on the left of the >> screen and read the blurb, or simply click on the Orkney Flag at >> the end of >> the menu. Mick has this running via his home computer and at the >> moment >> it's not running 24/7 but he's working towards that. >> >> He also has some interesting photos taken at the top of the >> lighthouse. >> Plus photos of various island events, including strange island >> rituals! >> >> Sian >> Graemsay >> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA- >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes >> in the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Sian Thomas wrote: > Some of you might be interested in a gizmo set up on my neighbour's website. > It's a ship plotter and gives the position of various ships in Orkney > waters, including the various Orkney ferries, the Northlink vessels etc. > > see: www.graemsay.org.uk Interesting, Sian — though I don't quite know what use I'm going to make of the Ship Plotter. That graemsay.org site is looking in much better shape than the last time I visited it. Clearly someone's been working on it and it's certainly much improved. Possibly delicate question, so feel free to ignore it: can we see you in any of the pictures on the site, such as the Mock Wedding? Norman Tulloch