Orkney day 2

We headed out quite early this morn to make the most of the day. We knew that today's weather forecast was scattered showers so we thought we'd get out when the going was good. In actual fact we managed to stay in the sun most of the day and seemed to be getting to places just as they perked up post rain shower.

A cruise liner holding 3500 people was docking at Kirkwall today so we knew the island would be a lot busier than usual. It was a bit of a shock to the system driving into Kirkwall and seeing the massive liner.

Our first stop was a wee remote beach in Deerness which was absolutely beautiful,  it the temperature was higher it could have easily been in the Caribbean. We then went a wee jaunt over the Churchill Barriers seeing some more wee beaches and some ship wrecks along the way. Before the barriers were built they sank some ships at the gaps between islands hoping that that would put the Germans off trying to come through (it didn't work). We also stopped at the Italian Chapel for some photos but didn't go in as we'd been before.

After our morning jaunting about we headed to Kirkwall for lunch and it was super, super busy. The cruise passengers were everywhere! We went into Judith Glue's for lunch and it was packed, we managed to grab a wee table though thankfully. Ann and I had cheese and ham on toast on super thick bread , it was incredible - exactly what I'd been fancying. K had soup and her dad had rollmops again. K and I also had raspberry milkshakes made with Orkney ice cream, yummo.

After lunch we had a look round the shop (still crazy busy) and bought some things for home. We took pictures of Orkney Cathedral from a distance cos it was so hoaching, the poppies from the tower of London are now there forming the weeping window, it looked pretty cool. We then browsed along the shops buying a few bits here and there.

We were headed back to Stromness now to see Colin and Jola before they left but we stopped at Gerri's Ice Cream Parlour en route. I had an obscene sundae with ice cream, banana slices, custard and skooshy cream - I managed to eat it no bother, fret not!

We got back to the house and had time to hear of Colin and Jola's day before they headed off for the 1645 ferry. Turns out when they got to Scarra Brae there were 8 coaches of cruise passengers ahead of them! Thank toot we've already seen most of the sights.

We waiting for the ferry to pass the garden and waved wildly to them then jumped in the car and drove round the corner a bit to see them some more from an amazing old graveyard.

We then drove about for a bit seeing loads of birds and animals including some goslings and a baby lapwing. We went back to the cliffs but didn't see any puffins this time unfortunately.  We then took k's parents for dinner at the Merkister Hotel to thank them for their hospitality. The Maclarens all had haddock and I had lasagne cos I'd spotted someone else's and it looked good. The portions were massive and everything was delicious.

K had to drive back cos her mum had wine with dinner. It was pretty exciting since she hasn't driven since we arrived.

Back to the house where K did treasure hunts for her folks to find some sweets she'd bought them. No treasure hunt for me sadly.

Now it's bed time and tomorrow is our final day in Orkney sadly.