Many thanks to Sian and Bruce (whose reports I read religiously) for their accounts. Both reminded me of Lillian Beckwith's series about her life in the Hebrides that started with "The hills is lonely". (Which I haven't read in about 25 years, so forgive me if she is not your favorite person to be compared with) My favorite form of literature is autobiography. Connecting that with my great-grandparents' lives on Stronsay, comparing how they lived there (ca 1850-1882) with how they lived in Lancaster, PA, (1882 onward) has always been at the back of my mind. Then meeting cousins and friends now still living in Orkney has kept me curious about how people whose lives extend well beyond their island homes fit into the society that exists on their home of choice. Anne (Slater/Watt/Learmonth connections in Orkney) in south eastern Pennsylvania) On Thu, Jun 17, 2010 at 12:49 PM, Sian Thomas <sian.thomas@btinternet.com>wrote: > Stephen > > I think island life means different things to different people. >