Off we go to Orkney

I think I have established in earlier posts that Orkney is awesome.  I was watching the weather and saw that Saturday was going to be lovely, so we decided to head over.

In addition to the regular sites, I always try to squeeze in something new, and this trip was no exception.  We left from Gills Bay to St. Margaret's Hope, as usual.  

As we were pulling out of the bay, we say a school of little dolphins.  They were having a great time feeding - I wonder if the ferry was stirring stuff up because they were in a bit of a frenzy.  They were super cute.

We went to the Italian Chapel followed by Sheila Fleet gallery.  Dave and I had tried to get to the gallery when he came, but it was closed.  We all walked out with bags.  

Come on - get together - smile - GET TOGETHER...

Off to Kirkwall, we stopped at St. Magnus Cathedral - I think this was Doug's favorite stop of the trip.  I finally got some photos that I think do this spectacular building justice.

This photo is what the cathedral feels like to me

After the cathedral, we went to the standing stones and then hit our reservation for Maeshowe.  We'd tried Maeshome when Mom and Dad were here, but we didn't have a reservation.  Maeshowe is incredible - a neolithic structure designed around the winter solstice with Viking graffiti all over it.  Seriously, can it get any cooler than that!?!

After Maeshowe, we went to Skara Brae.  I told Doug to get ready to have his mind blown, and he explained to me that it was too late for that.  After Skara Brae, it was time to head to Stromness for the ferry.  I had had a vision of spending some time in Stromness, but our day was done, and this was the last ferry so on we went.

This is a very nice ferry, and it goes around Hoy so you get great views of the tallest cliff in Britain and the Old Man of Hoy.

During the crossing, we saw what must have been a whale based on the splashing and several seals.  I was just staring at this stuff - you can't capture everything.  

But I did get this hilarious seagull that did many tricks in front of Dave and I - we both agreed he was a total show off.

Over here - I'm over here