Seaweed Had Gathered

Leaving my lodgings after enjoying a sumptuous breakfast, I began hiking along the waters edge, taking care as the tide had was going out and the rocks were wet and slippery.

Seaweed had gathered on the white sandy beach and I spotted a sea otter lying amongst it and holding something in its hands whilst lounging on its back… possibly enjoying its own breakfast of octopus or squid.

Skirting around the small headland I was able to look across to the bay opposite. It was overlooked by a lairds mansion, sitting alone on a rocky crag. With badly maintained windows, roof and walls, it was well on its way to becoming another ruin….. a relic of a very grand past. It was a solemn sight.

I climbed the hill….. sheep noisily ran from me…. So I watched my footsteps, not wanting to step on a lamb mine this early in the day. Cresting the top, my view was astounding. The valley beneath me and to the North was a peat bog. With long grasses being brushed by the breeze, I spotted gulls, oyster catchers and puffins, possibly using the small valley as a shortcut between ocean filled bays.

Beyond the valley and in the next bay I could barely make out a colony of grey seals basking in the morning sunlight. The bull seal sitting on an anvil shaped rock was making a horrendous noise….. perhaps issuing a warning to me to stay away.

I sat on a tuft of grass, with a beautiful vantage point….. I had a 360 degree panoramic view over the ocean and over Orkney.

I unscrewed the lid of my thermos flask and poured myself a triple espresso.

Life is good.

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