So many things we do now might be the last time we do them: cycling the scenic route to the shop, talking to the nice man, who is always in a rush to get home as he’s left the washing out (but always has time to chat), watching the curlew following me, ...
But, even if it is the last time, the happy feeling of Orkney will follow us for a long time - and we’re hoping to come back soon - maybe even another (shorter) house swap?

But, among all these lasts - there is also a first: When you go on youtube and look at all the happy videos from places all over the world, now Orkney is among them, too!
Just put ORKNEY and HAPPY in (or click on the links here and here) to watch our happy films of Orkney. You’ll probably figure out quite easily which one is mine and which one is Matt’s!

Nanouk was part of an amazing concert at the St. Magnus Festival! I’m sure you all know who Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is and Nanouk was part of the concert celebrating his 80th birthday! We had front row seats and enjoyed the evening enormously!
Even the Telegraph wrote about it today. Read the article here. Luckily, althought the Telegraph just cut off Nanouk from the picture, we’ve got some (many...) with both of them:

(Can you find Nanouk?)

Maleah also had a very emotional last riding lesson on „her pony” Rosie Gold and was allowed to brush her afterwards, which she did for nearly an hour, enjoying a bitter sweet farewell...


Apart from that nothing really interesting has happened. Luckily we had planned our last month with loads of “free time”, which we are now cherishing, meeting up with friends, playing outdoors and enjoying life!
We’re also trying to plan a little farewell party, which has not been easy, as we’ve had to postpone it twice due to the Swiss Football Team being so good :o) but we’re hoping to see a lot of people and get a chance to blether a bit, before we leave...
But, of course, we’re also planning a return trip - maybe even a (much shorter?) house swap again? Just to meet up with our new friends and get back into the “Orkney Feeling”, which we are afraid of losing when we get back to busy hectic Switzerland...
Maleah has given her address to all the children of her class - and many other pupils, too, and she is hoping for a lot of mail! Nanouk only wanted to put our skype name onto his cards, as he doesn’t really enjoy writing :o)

And as the sun has just come through the clouds, the sea is sparkling in the distance and the oystercatchers are calling (even that sound has become dear to me...) I think I’ll take the paper and a cup of tea outside and enjoy one of the many hidden (from wind and sight) secret places in the garden and enjoy some afternoon peacefulness!