Gallery
Orkney Islands
Jellyfish on the Beach
We popped to the beach for a lunchtime walk yesterday, because Wren likes to go as often as she can and a daily dose of beach exploration does us all good. We were very surprised to find that the beach was covered in jellyfish of a few different varieties. We used to...
A Life by the Sea
One of the things that I love most about living in the Orkney Islands, (and there are quite a few!) is being so close to the sea. It is always there like a friend, inviting you to come and visit. I have loved the sea since I was a teenager and I had a long period of...
Wild as a Daisy – Raising a Toddler on a Small Island
Our big move to a little island off the coast of Scotland, is likely to have a big affect on our toddler. Unlike our other four children, her earliest memories will be of life here and the freedom that it offers. Her picture of the world is being formed from this...
Self-Sufficiency
Growing Our Own – Update on our Veggies
If you remember, I began our journey to self-sufficiency back in March at the beginning of the covid-19 lockdown (Growing Our Own Food - Making a Start). A lot of growing has happened since then, so I thought that it was time for an update. We are still struggling...
Super Easy Basic Biscuit Recipe
I spent years looking for a simple basic biscuit recipe that would fill hungry tummies when there wasn't much left in the cupboard. This year, through looking at lots of recipes and a bit of trial and error, I have finally got it mastered. So I am going to share it...
Snow in May – The Orkney Cold Snap
Although we have heard about the lambing snow in Orkney, it still came as a bit of a shock - mostly because we were expecting it in April, not in the middle of May when we had all been out in t-shirts the week before! It snowed three days out of seven, but thankfully...
Craft for Kids
Two Easy, Summer Nature Crafts For Kids
We finished off a botany study with two lovely nature crafts. They were so easy that even my two year old could join in, so I thought that I would share them with you. It's also worth mentioning that they are a lot of fun for adults too! The first is printing onto...
Pewter Casting – A Birthday Bonfire
We tried pewter casting on a bonfire this week. The first of our children turned 18 and became an adult and we thought that a birthday as important as that needed marking with something a little bit special. Arwen has been wanting to do some work with metal for the...
Orkney Caterpillars – Friend or Foe?
May has marked the arrival of butterflies and caterpillars in Rousay, something that we were very excited about. We have raised Painted Lady caterpillars in the past and all of my children thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow and make their big change into a...
Basketry & Natural Crafts
How to Make a Plaited Coil Basket
As much of the UK has found itself back in full lockdown, I thought I would share a little basketry tutorial, for you try out. Earlier this week, I made a little coil basket out of dried leaves from our garden. This technique is really simple, you don't need any...
Hello 2021! Planning For a Year of Natural Crafts
A new year always seems to bring with it a renewed motivation to push forward, try new things and settle into good routines. After the disruption of Christmas and two kids birthdays, we're about ready for some normality and I am determined to make this a good year, no...
How to make a Wrapped Stone
I thought, that I would show you an easy tutorial for stone wrapping. I am sure that we are not the only people, who have been hit hard financially by covid restrictions this year. So, like me, you might need to make a lot of your gifts. The trouble is, homemade gifts...