It's been the most beautiful weekend at Westness. I arrived on Friday, Charlie scooping me up from Kirkwall - a few things still to do that afternoon, and early to bed. We woke early on Saturday to a beautiful sunrise.
Nancy on the step!
The bluebell woods are just about to burst.
The sea was an intense shade of blue...
But a morning mist was rolling in from the mainland.
We went for a loop around the garden...
New paths being found by Charlie's eye in the woods...
Celandines everywhere...
Charlie has started clearing the veg garden... amazing.
Just so he can get growing this spring....
The irises he planted last autumn are incredibly happy on their south facing wall.
In the woods....
But then the mist rolled in to us too...
You couldn't see across to mainland at all.
So beautiful.
Primroses are coming up everywhere in what will become our meadow.
No sooner did the mist roll in...
Than it cleared - to a beautiful, sparkling day - the sunshine was hot. You can see Charlie's start of a mown path from the door of the house to the gate to the sea. We need to think about moving the pond... we can't quite figure out why it was actually put there?
Spring bulbs.
The sea was an intense shade of blue - but still cold.
Bloody Mary's and lunch on the terrace...
I wondered if the corgis have been teaching Nancy how to look at things?
Yesterday the pub reopened since its closure last autumn. Heaven! So everyone was there and a brilliant time was had. It was a bright and breezy start this morning.
After breakfast, a walk - the sea an intense shade of Prussian Blue.
Westness Farm, looking over to the newly ploughed fields on Evie.
Violets in the road banks.
The chapel of St. Mary, looking over to Mainland...
And the ancient Midhowe Broch.
Thanks to friends on instagram, I was able to identify this as a Northern Wheatear, up on the moorland.
A sparkling day.
We've had the laziest afternoon - I had a good sleep, we had our neighbours over for tea to see the puppy, and the house bathed in warm sunshine this evening.
Sunset.... supper, and an early night.
We are a week now to Easter. Peace be with you.
33 comments
I am bowled over by all the beauty. Your photographs are fabulous. It must be such joy
to live there. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Heaven on Earth.
As I was looking at the slowly greening Roussay landscape, I thought how different it is from, say, the lush Italian countryside. But what beauty there is in that spareness, and the blue sea is the sea everywhere. I wonder, Ben, if your love of pristine classic architecture isn’t of a piece with the pleasure you find in the world of Westness, despite its agrarian aspect? Nancy is so sweet! What fun it will be watching her grow and find her place in the fur tribe.
Wishing you and Charlie Easter peace and a happy holiday!
Having been an admirer of your style for many years, I was amazed to see you had moved to Orkney -—and not just for the usual reasons. I’m sure you’ve made yourself familiar with the history of Westness House and already know that the original house there, also called Westness House, was razed to the ground in the mid eighteenth century, because its owner was a Jacobite sympathiser . I know this from researching my family history . You will also have discovered, I’m sure, the history of the Gentlemen ‘s Cave, where the owner of the original West Ness House and others of his persuasion hid from their pursuers: the brother of my 4x great grandmother, John Trail of Elsness, was among them, and his house suffered a similar fate!
I’ve only been to Orkney once and would love to go again , but it’s a long way off, even from Cumbria , especially as we are now in our eighties .I wish you both all the best in this exciting (ad) venture .
Wonderful views and moods captured in your photographs. Excited to watch Charlie develop the garden and how he transforms it into a jewel in the wilderness.
It’s a magical place – especially with the mist. And Nancy has certainly learned “stink eye” from the corgis. A quick learner.
Yes, I wondered if you could see the house reflected in the pond ( from the sea)?
So enjoy your blog, thank you.
Surely the Pond is an XVIIIth century Plunge Pool ?
Such wonderful open bright clean scenery – we think NZ is beautiful but your place is heavenly.
Peace be with you and all of us in these times we live in…
I’m just loving seeing how Nancy is quickly becoming part of the pack. As I said last time, I’m a longtime doxie mom, but no longer have a dog. I miss them terribly, so I’m living vicariously through you!
Such beautiful evocative photographs
Your own paradise. But shared with Nancy and friends. Relish it. I can almost smell the sweetness. And haven’t the violets been good this year. Thank you.
When did you get Nancy and is she a golden retriever? Adorable and a perfect addition to your glan.
Your garden giving onto the beach through the gate reminds me of Dunrobin Castle gardens that are very similar in outlook. Of course you house is much nicer ! XO
We so enjoy your photos and getting to know your dogs…and now sweet Nancy joining the family! Thank you. And may peace be with you all this holiest of seasons.
Ben, it is a treat to read / view about your adventures in Scotland. Adorable new sausage pup “Nancy” will be an excellent digging companion in the garden for Charlie
Congratulations on little Nancy, so sweet! Won’t be long before she’s running the show up there! What a heaven for the dogs there, as well as the people. Intrigued to find out what colour you’re going to pick for the exterior…. the warm honey colour one? But the terracotta is intriguing.. what fun!
Congratulations on little Nancy, so sweet! Won’t be long before she’s running the show up there! What a heaven for the dogs there, as well as the people. Intrigued to find out what colour you’re going to pick for the exterior…. the warm honey colour one? But the terracotta is intriguing.. what fun!
My favorite blog of all time. Whenever it shows up in my inbox, it’s a gift that makes my day. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and photographs.
You bring such beauty and inspiration to my morning in Northwest Connecticut, USA. millions of thanks
Thank you for continuing years of beauty and charm, so nourishing and so, so necessary now with our crazy world. I am so grateful. I’m on the sea as well in Palm Beach Florida but a totally different vibe as I’m sure you know. Peace be with you. Katherine
I constantly get much pleasure from your books Ben. They inspire me when arranging objects in a room and often think would you approve! Looking forward to some more interior shots of your new home to give me ideas.
A beautiful place to reflect on Jesus, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter!
Corgis have the best side-eye but Nancy is clearly practicing……
And also with you two dears.
Charlie’s veg garden is the size of an allotment! – he’ll be able to supply the whole of Westness with organic veg…
And that adorable little Nancy has already mastered the ‘side-eye’, just like the Corgis.
Thank you for your emails, Ben. They brighten my week.
Uplifting post as always. Thank you.
P.S. Lose the pool. It’s a distraction from the beautiful view beyond. Relocate it to Charlie’s veg garden. It’ll make a good dipping pond for watering cans. Just a thought!
How beautiful. Peace be with you also and thank you for sharing.
Lovely morning and walk. Lots of charm and calmness in the opening of the day. Maybe the old pond holds a secret reflection? Fill and then look from many angles. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Ben,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog for many years now, and am most envious of Westness – what a find !
I think you should extend the pond to the right so that the path from the house to the gate cuts through its true middle – you can then create a path that goes around both sides, or build a wooden bridge across it :)
Patrick
Peace be with you (and Charlie too!) this coming Easter. May it be a HAPPY one, this your first Easter there:). With all that mist, it looked like a scene from Wuthering Heights. You could feel the quiet and stillness. What a glorious place to be able to call home.
My first read this monring…520am North Shore of Boston. Thank you. Just what I needed to start my week. Enjoy.
Peace be with you over Easter and may you get time for rest and relaxation.
Just beautiful! Thank you for sharing and Peace be with you too.