What Can I Say - It's Skara Brea

The wind became acceptable and they let us in.

My lasting impressions are sophistication, ease of existence and cosiness.

I'm sure this is from "The Noble Savage" and is far too romantic but thats me all over.

Look here and find out more.

Better still go and see it - it's worth the effort.

F**k Me It's Windy

The day before it was even windier. They closed Skara Brae to visitors. I was miffed - didn't feel that bad to me. I think they have a meter behind the ticket counter that says "no tourism too windy".

We got there a couple of days later in sunshine and calm.
Marvellous, last time I went there was no visitor centre and the Atlantic weather was howling in. The impression I left with was how cosy the houses were. This time I could only see the stone work and imagine someone picking the right size little stones to fill the gaps. It seems such a human experience. If I was building something I'd have to do the same.

Remember Death

Well you're not likely to forget it at Saint Magnus's. The incessant repetition of symbols is cute.

If the big skull doesn't get the idea across...

• Turf Cutter
• Coffin
• Used up candle
• Tolling bell
• Finished hour glass
• Spade

All add extra hints in case you didn't get it.

First Tomb of the Trip

It's Wideford Cairn and very nice it is to.

Historic Scotland, who manage it, are keeping quiet about it.

Copey and his pals have much more to tell you about it.

The hike up from Kirkwall is fun, eventually getting to the 2nd highest point in the Islands (I think). Something in the name signifies a signal point (ford/ward>vorthr= Old Norse for guard/lookout) and today the summit is dotted with communications masts and remains of such.

So not much changes then?

The view is super.

As you'd imagine.

Running Repairs

The new carburetors certainly have done the trick.

For those who couldn't place them - Dellorto DRLA 40.

Very sexy - for the cognoscenti.

But I didn't get the crankcase breathing correctly rigged.

I don't think there was any effective when I first fired the engine up, tuned and timed it.

I was engrossed in my efforts; the intake noise at 4500rpm is hypnotic.

Meanwhile the high pressure had found a weak spot in an old component and was pumping oil out.

It looked just like my arm bleeding when I stuck some barbed wire in a vein.

Pump pump, pump pump, pump pump...

You get the cadence.

No time to fix it in Yorkshire - turned the crack to the top and hope.

The journey up took 1.5 litres of oil.

Here's the fix.

• Instant Gasket.
• Gaffer Tape.
• Guiness Can
• Jubilee Clips

Voila no leak.

Fighting Talk

It's so rough that they tie any potential weapons down.

Mainland No More

I suppose people say this is the best possible view of Thurso but that's unfair. It seems to wear it's workings on the outside and has no pretensions. The Masonic Hall is impressive and very visible on the main road. Great sandstone buildings which reminds me of my hometown.

On this day however, we sped through and caught the Stromness ferry with at least 10 seconds to spare. That required thrashing the camper from Blair Atholl all the way up the A9. The new carbs did the trick (but are currently consuming petrol alarmingly - S calculated 17 mpg )

Where is that line

Idling crossing a border and I wondered where is the transition.
The utilities people have to be exact; here's evidence of that exactitude.

Goyt, Goit, Goiter?

Here's a daft word.
Goyt
Anyway today we went to The Goyt Valley
(we love wikipedia)

But I know goit in it's Y'shire context.
Blow me there be a River Goit an all.

Whats goiter got to do with any of this?

Throats I'm guessing (with some support)

Here's the walk

(the GPS went wrong and there's a bit missing

I went wrong and tracked some driving - I think

You work it out)

Carburetor Foreplay

A Hartington Circuit

(I pinched the photo from www.castleuk.net - good work whoever)

We when for a walk.

I can't remember much about the day.

(it's now 10/02/2010).

But Pilsbury Castle is always worth a visit.

Which we didn't do this day - looked down on it I guess.