Fiona - I've been following this mad interest in Orkney also ! Nice to see such an outpouring. Fuels me to go back, but I have to hold myself in check ! Even if airline tickets are free, B&Bs can break the bank. Still....I bet I could find a small room for a week somewhere near the Library ? Still can't shake the thought of a winter visit - seeing the Merry Dancers would certainly make my year ! Well, haven't read your book yet......it ended up in Gil's suitcase. He found it when he got to his second destination in China. Figures he picked it up with his papers on the top of the bed. He returns tomorrow, so I'll be reading it when he leaves for his NEXT trip - on Monday, Aug 16. He'll be gone for a week, this time in the US - he will be driving with a fishing-buddy to visit his parents in Wyoming. Just outside their back door, its only a few feet to a trout stream. Gil needs some R&R, he's considering retiring ! They've offered him a marvellous retirement package....if he takes it, we'll be doing nicely, but it may interfere with my planned winter Orkney trip......we'll work on that. His face is slowly recovering, speech on his call home today was totally normal and he can now raise his left eyebrow. Amazing what gets us excited.... Enjoy your trip ! I'm still on cloud 9 from my week in Kirkwall. Meg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~