The best things about the colder seasons on North Ronaldsay

Cosying up by the fire

I love the wood burning stove. Listening to the crackles, waching the sparks and flames dance on a windy evening. Winter is a great opportunity to cosy up underneath some blankets next to the fire.

Hot Chocolate

I enjoy hot chocolate all year round, but it tastes especially good after a day out in the cold and wind, with a handful of marshmallows piled on top. My favourite hot chocolate hack is putting it in the microwave for 30 seconds to help melt the marshamllows on top into gooey deliciousness!

Festive lights

In the darkest winter month Christmas arrives bringing with it festive lights and holiday cheer. I love the extra lights dotted around streets and the extra light we bring into our homes at this time of year.

Homemade soup

There’s nothing better to warm you up than a big bowl of hot homemade soup for lunch. It’s a treat being able to use produce from our hard work in the garden over the summer into lovely meals of goodness in the winter months.

Mulled wine

I think mulled wine should be a year round treat, but it only feels right in the run up to Christmas. I like my full of spice, citrus and syrupy!

Beautiful sunsets and sunrises

The late sunrises and early sunsets mean that you never miss a good display of pinks, oranges and reds. Likewise, you don’t have to stay up late to see the stars if the night is clear - you can see them at 5pm!

No nettles!

One of the most annoying things about dyke building in summer was constantly getting stung by nettles, whih grow up between the stones on the shore. Now I don’t need to worry about sticking my hand in some, or sitting down on them for a tea break!

Seaweed from storms

With the sheep in mind I thought of how the colder months bring in huge piles of seaweed, which is ripped from its seabed moorings by the sea, which is a lot rougher in winter.

Time for crafting

The dark evenings are a great excuse to spend time knittingand hand sewing by the fire. I didn’t get round to much crafting in the summer, with the long days it was easy to spend the evenings gardening instead. This winter I’ve been working on a festive embroidered quilt and knitted baubles.