New batch of shells for pilgrims to St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney. Scallop shells are a symbol of pilgrimage.

These come from Orkney waters, pilgrims receive one and a certificate on completing the St Magnus Way at the cathedral in Kirkwall. #pilgrimage #camino #orkney
@pilgrimtrust.bsky.social

Found some star jelly on my walk today by a high hilltop tarn on Orkney West Mainland. One of nature's mysteries!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_je...

#nature #mystery #druidsky

people always think about metta & karuna (cultivating loving kindness & compassion towards all beings) from the perspective of the meditator

but I find it comforting that throughout time & space there are other beings wishing me well & feeling compassion for me even though they will never meet me

New musical project

Two haiku from today's walk.

Ice grips hard the loch
So heron sifts the salt sea
We do what we must

Clear ice cold rock pool
Awaits my distracted step
Now I am awake!

A new instrument in the collection, a Welsh pibgorn, made by Jonathan Shoreland based on one in the collection of the St Fagans Museum. A lovely Christmas present from my lovely wife!

Kate and our neighbours the Carmichaels started a tradition of singing carols in our village of Evie on Christmas Eve in 2021 during lockdown (which luckily wasn't very strict in Orkney at that time).

So we continued the tradition tonight, The Fourth Christmas Evie Carol Sing :-)

that's the Christmas dinner on

Amazing to think I was doing my daily walk in shorts and a T-shirt a couple of weeks ago!

I'm giving Blue Sky the seal of approval

Follow me for more lousy wildlife photography :-)