Jegs Blog : August holiday in Orkney Part 1

Another Island holiday, this time we drove to Gills Bay near John O Groats to catch the ferry to the Orkney Isles. We had a good blether with a guy in his seventies from Dornoch who was on his way to the Orkney Classic Motor show, he was riding his 1919 Douglas WD350, not for the faint hearted as it had no front brake and the rear brake was just a block of wood with a groove cut into it to grip an inner steel rim. An hours fine sailing on the Pentalina catamaran got us into St Margarets Hope on South Ronaldsay. Our first three nights camping were at the Wheems Campsite and organic farm.

The Douglas 1919 WD350

The rear wooden brake

View from the Pentalina

Lesley and Sitka enjoying the fresh air

First view of St Margarets Hope

We did see three of the Perseids meteors but I wasnt quick enough to photograph them

Wheems Campsite, complete with organic farm, yurts and tepees

Braw campers kitchen and sit ooterie

Dan getting ready to go to the Classic Motor show, bike gear of wellies and several shirts and jackets all held together with one belt, this went on for what seemed like an eternity, tears of laughter from us two watching Dan and his last minute pillion get their stuff together, the pillion hadn't anticipated going on the bike, all his gear including his tent and flippers now packed in the saddlebags and his backpack.
"You're wanting to go to the show? Do you have any coffee? Well bring me some and I'll take you on the back of the bike then."

"No gloves? Fucking hell, well lets just not do falling off today."

"Have you ever been on the back of a bike before?" We didn't hear the answer

Our tent with the new zip, thanks to Alex for picking it up from the menders for me. Cracking scenery and blue skies

The scuttled SS Reginald, originally built in 1878 in Govan, purchased by the Admiralty in 1914 and sunk as a blockship on 15th September 1915 just off Churchill Barrier 3.

Churchill Barrier links

Clear water and colourful stones with Lamb Holm in the distance

Lesley and Sitka enjoying the sunshine

The Italian Chapel in what remains of Camp 60 which housed several hundred Italian prisoners during World War II, it was decorated by the Italian POW's as a place of worship during their internment, well worth a visit if you are over.