Time to batten down the hatches!

Storm Barbara is heading right for us, and she is planning on staying for Christmas! This will be our first introduction to the fabled Orkney winds that we have heard so much about, 90 - 100 mile an hour gusts sweeping across the isles and with driving rain to match! 

Last nights ferry and this mornings have been cancelled, and I would be most surprised if there are going to be any sailings this side of Christmas - just as well we have an overflowing pantry, freezer and two turkeys in the pigsty!  

We are also preparing for powercuts, they are not unheard of on this island. An array of tourches have been strategically placed around the house, candles and oil lamps are on stand by and enough wood has been chopped ready to go into the woodburner.  The gas stove does not need an electric ignition, so all the essentials, food, lighting and warmth have been catered for.  

​We have so far been lucky that the weather has been relatively docile and surprisingly mild, we have actually been missing the cold, crisp winters air and horizontal rain of South Wales! 

The storm will be a good test of our home and it's weathertight integrity, apart from the known leak in the front porch we are hoping the house will be sound!  If anything does arrise, we have the damage control kit to hand and we will deal with it.