Day one on Orkney

Took the 9:30 a.m. ferry from Gill's Bay to St Margaret's Hope on South Ronaldsay, about a one hour journey.  

First stop on my way north was the Italian Chapel.  

Italian Chapel

The Italian Chapel, a beautiful Roman Catholic chapel in Lamb Holm, was constructed by Italian POWs during the Second World War.

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/the-italian-chapel-p253741

Next stop was the Visitor Centre in Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, for maps, brochures, etc. 

My hotel is in a small village in a central location, but about 14 miles from the main town of Kirkwall.  Very nice and has a restaurant, a cafe and a pub on the site. 

http://www.smithfieldhotel.co.uk/

Broch of Gurness

An icon of Orkney's rich archaeological heritage. This impressive Iron Age complex is one of the most outstanding examples of a later prehistoric settlement to survive in Scotland.

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/broch-of-gurness/

Weather today:  about 10C/50F but very, very windy.  

Sunrise/sunset:  4:41/21:36 (9:36pm)

Return to Orkney

Last summer I enjoyed a short visit to Orkney with my friend, Triana. Loved Orkney so much I am returning for a longer visit - 4 nights instead of 2.

Doing a solo trip this time and I'm driving up instead of flying and hiring a car. The total trip to the ferry at Gill's Bay for Orkney is just under 300 miles - 7+ hours - and all on two lane roads. I am splitting up the trip by spending the night in Wick. It's only another 30 minutes to the ferry which I will catch tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. So I'll have a good night's sleep before I arrive on Orkney.

https://www.visitorkney.com/

Ring of Brodgar from last summer's trip:

A very long drive to Wick today. Met an online friend who was here hiking and we a long chat in Fort William. One of her hiking partners came along as well. Nice visit.

I was gobsmacked by how stunningly gorgeous the drive up the A9 and A99 along the North Sea was!! No photos but will add videos later.

Trip to London

On March 31st we headed to London by train to spend 3 nights.  The main reason for visiting was to see the annual performance of  St Matthew Passion at Southbank Centre.

We were fortunate that the weather was mild and mostly sunny.

I didn't bring my camera so took 'snapshots' with my mobile phone camera.

I love the architecture of the old buildings!  Some interesting new buildings as well.

St Paul's Cathedral

Saturday there was a march of EDL (English Defence League - fascists) vs anti fascists.  Lots of police!

A movie was being filmed near Buckingham Palace

Back home

We are back home from Thailand.  A bit chillier, but that's okay.

Upcoming trips:

London for a few days to see St Matthews Passion and visit museums.

Orkney for 4 days.

Michigan in the summer with a week at Lake Michigan.

Winter in Thailand

A separate blog I did our 3 months in Thailand.

Annie & Danny in Samui