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STROMA TRIP
by Tim Wright - 12:10 on 01 July 2012
PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP'S TRIP TO STROMA 30 JUNE
What a treat Hilary had fixed for us.
Thirteen of us turned up bleary eyed to catch the very full ferry from St Margaret’s Hope on Saturday. Rather a misty crossing but calm followed by a slightly more bouncy trip over to Stroma on a converted fishing boat. We were met by the Simpsons and the Stroma Taxi was filled with a lucky few who got to the coffee first! The rest followed, some via the Kirk yard and mausoleum. After a very welcome tea and biscuits, the party moved off to see the Lighthouse with the aid of the taxi again. The rain put in an appearance just to justify the forecasters salaries. We viewed the enormous Gloup on the way and survived the attacks of the nesting Terns to see the massive old Fog Horns and Lighthouse. Lunch was bought forward as the rain persisted and was taken in the Old Schoolroom. Not only was it dry warm and full of tables and chairs, it sported an old organ in working order. The residents soon arrived and made us sing for our lunch! Luckily the rain decided the weather forecasters shouldn’t get it all right and stopped after lunch. Parties disappeared in different directions to look for birds and other photographic opportunities amongst the numerous structures on the island. Then the sun came out! Clothes were stripped off and a pleasant meander, with rests to look at the sea and puffins, was the order of the rest of our stay. An interesting wreck was found on the West coast called the Golden Promise but it was a Promise that was well and truly broken. Three o’clock saw the Stroma taxi bringing the last of the party for the boat back to Gill’s Bay. As we waved goodbye to our hosts I am sure many of us thought that we would try hard to return again.
A huge Thank You to the Simpsons and Hilary for a truly memorable day.
How to follow that? Well, Pentland Skerries next year perhaps !!
In the meantime see you on 19th for the churches project.
Keep clicking, Tim
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Remember the helicopter hovering over Stroma as we passed? Well, Sancha and Simpson were in it having been flown round the island a couple of times to get an aerial view! Apparently when it appeared above their house Sancha waved at them and with that it landed just yards from the house. Out came 4 Italians, one of whom was obviously extremely wealthy. After a sample of the hospitality we received they offered Sancha and Simpson a week in Rome in thanks (private jet to transport them), signed the visitors’ book and then flew off to their Caithness holiday retreat! What an ending to their day!
Hope they take up the offer!
Thanks to you all for such good company yesterday. Sancha and Simpson thought you were all such lovely people.
Hilary