Sunday 26/09/04

It's a cloudy day today, and it does not look as if it's going tobrighten up. Arrive at a derilict busstation to take the tourist bus toSkara Brae, with a view to walk across to Stromness. It's also quiteblustery and cold. Alight at the neolithic village at 11, and now havethe rest of the afternoon to cover the 6 miles to Stromness. I startoff by merrily walking into the teeth of the gale, past Skaill Farm,along walls and through pastures. Past herds of bemused looking cows,but very quickly I find myself crossing barbed-wire fences without anystiles. Back I go, glad to have my face out of that very cold SW wind.Retrace my steps as far as Skaill Farm, then head southeast, along afarmtrack that runs roughly past Loch Skaill. Then it's due south, andI'm again diverted because of herds of cows. WIth difficulty, onaccount of an overgrown and boggy farmtrack, I gain the road whichleads south to Stromness. Because of the force 8-9 wind, I decide toengage in a spot of roadwalking. This presents me with quite achallenge, because the severe gale strength wind is determined to blowme into the path of oncoming traffic. After 2 miles, I get theopportunity to leave the busy B9050/A967 to briefly head for quieterside-roads. Pass Kirbister and proceed over Redland Hill. Here,a minordisaster befalls me, in that one of my bootlaces breaks. I tie the twoends together and carry on. My mapcase is also giving me grief. Thisconsists of a Morrisons bag, and is flapping furiously, not reallyaffording much protection against the force 9 winds. Carry on along theA967, with the weather improving gradually. As I struggle past Newburghand Millhouse, the sun comes out. Head into a country lane to enterStromness by the backdoor. The ruinous farm buildings along here don'tdo much for the scenery. Take a break off Millhouse farm, then descendto the bridge cum ford across the Mill Burn and wearily trudge down thehill into Stromness proper. This is along HIllside Road, not the mainKirkwall Road. Past the Co-op and the firestation at 4pm, and upFranklin Road to gain the higher reaches of Stromness. Even go upBrinkies Brae with my purchases from the Co-op, then into the town fora cuppa before the bus comes back at 4.50. Julia's Cafe is a nice weeplace opposite the ferry terminal. Kids are sliding along the tiledfloors. Have a cup of tea and a pastry before I rejoin the bus back toKirkwall. Sun is out on the way back, making it quite an acceptablelate afternoon.