Island Journeys: A Countrywomans Travels by Skea, Bessie - 1993

Kirkwall Scotland: Orkney Press, 1993. Soft cover. Very Good/No Jacket. 5.5" X 8.25. P/B 165 pages, condition is Very Good. The headlands in front shaded out from brown and green into dark blue, culminating in the clear blue of Hoy with the Old Man standing boldly; along the horizon reached the nebulous shape of the Scottish coastline, and far to the west lay a golden streak between sea and sky. Several fishing-boats were out; the sea was still, except for a slow slight swell sighing against the craigs, occasionally breaking hollowly into caves." Bessie Skea's lyrical writing captures the essence of Orkney's sea, sky and countryside with an exquisite sharpness that lingers like winter light on the snow. On sea-roads to North Ronaldsay, Fair Isle or Stroma, or on moorland hills, there are joys to savour, from the breaking seas on island beaches to the gold of kingcups in spring sunshine.