The current string on Orkney Ferry Service, including the Shetland ferry site info and nice pictures from Beatrice Cook, has for me provoked deeper thoughts. That roro Shetland ferry is a piece of work to be sure. As one who was born a few hundred years too late, I am amused to think what our forbears would think of all this. I imagine our Kolbein/Grtimbister/Davie of old family would think it shockingly absurd that anyone would complain about a ship that doesn't require oar power, or in the case of a fair wind, a hefty crew none the less of truly physical men to handle the sail. They could never envision a modern ship almost unsinkable, made of a miracle metal and in which you can sit in comfort underway, and watch a challenging rolling sea or driving rains through insulated glass windows, while enjoying a beverage or a snack. My world war two navy veteran Uncle George told me that when he signed on before ww2, his old grandpa said "I mind my days at sea, when the navy involved boats of wood and men of steel." He then added (circa 1937)..."Today we have boats of steel !." Perhaps we have become somewhat wooden. Those old viking sailors were certainly steely men, body mind and soul. We have come so far forward in this world, yet we have learned nothing of the basics of our planet, it's needs it's vulnerable spots, and it's future. The world today is rife with war and hate, we have cut the forests and soiled and paved the best farming ground, depleted the fish stocks and laid waste clean air in all cities in the globe. Of this we are reminded, but we plow onward blinded by greed. We have ignored the values of traditional native peoples who thrived on nature unspoiled, and who never compromised it. Those people in many cases, were simply wiped out of the way and off the map. We are technologically brilliant yet practically and pathetically retrogressive in the big picture. Seems to me that oil aside, much of Orkney's strength and the bonds that surround Orkney (ie: this site) have to do with a natural, laid back less spoiled world, shut off somewhat from the whirling world of consumerism and lust for goods, by a boiling patch of sea that ebs and flows and gnarls it way between the mighty North Altlantic to the North Sea. As the computerization of planet earth creates more impact, and the lust for north sea oil and projects like a giant container terminal lurk out there, wee Orkney seems to shoulder the intruding world, and still provide for and allow a person to stand on a whispering castle ruin in Wyre, on amidst a standing stony sunset in Stennes, or aside the entrance of Mawshowe or on the crashing rocky east shore of Papa Stronsay, and take a long breath of fresh air and enjoy reduced blood pressure while reflecting on a past there that left so many wonderful footprints. That historic natural atmosphere is something to be cherished, and dare I say preserved. So from a totally removed viewpoint, I think it would be nice if for three every year, all ferry service in Orkney was cancelled. Thanksgiving week....stay on your own island...meet with your neighbors...relax...and reflect way back and count your blessings. Then refreshed, head back into the world on your fourth day. The island here we (family) occupy, has a huge ferry and a terrific cost effective service. But in the winter, everything freezes up tight. It is the largest fresh water body on the earth, and for people in the south, the access then becomes a 400 mile drive to the wee swing bridge on the north end, beneath La cloche mountain and the old Hudson Bay Company fort site. Seems you don't have to look too far to find someone worse off. Not in this shrinking world. Island living has it's own endemic culture and attitude and sense of independence. It is something to be celebrated, indeed cherished. The mosaic of the islands that are Orkney indeed are unique in the world. I hope they will always remain so. Sorry if this is offbeat. That's just me thinkin' out loud I guess. I can't wait to get back there. Stephen

stephen davie wrote: > So from a totally removed > viewpoint, I think it would be nice if for three every year, all > ferry service in Orkney was cancelled. Thanksgiving week....stay on > your own island...meet with your neighbors...relax...and reflect way > back and count your blessings. Then refreshed, head back into the > world on your fourth day. I'm not sure of the exact numbers but I think you'll find that most folk on the Northern Isles stay on their island for most of the time and don't go gadding off to mainland once a week to do their shopping. -- Bruce Fletcher Stronsay, Orkney <www.stronsay.co.uk/claremont> "Do you get virgin wool from ugly sheep?"