On impulse we decided to get the bus to Deerness as the sun had emerged for the first time since we arrived. It was still very cold and I had to buy a new scarf (pale blue merino Orkney wool). The bus turned out to be the School Bus for Kirkwall Grammar. This would be a cause for DREAD in London – a bus full of teenagers, eeek! My terror was groundless, however, not only are they not as chubby as their London chums Orkney teenagers are about ten times quieter and better-behaved. Relieved, we could enjoy the stunning scenery. Lovely big skies, violet sea, sunlight on one side and grey, dramatic lowering clouds on the other. Very sturdy-looking lambs. Incidentally, I had some of the local lamb at the Locano and I have to say it was delicious. The bus dropped pupils at various remote stops along the way and, as we did not want to be late for our evening concert, we stayed on the bus at the end to get back to Kirkwall and St Magnus Cathedral in time.
Performance:
JUOZAS PAKALNIS Little Prelude
FAUSTAS LATENAS String Quartet No. 2, In Loving Memory OLAV ANTON THOMMESSEN Felix Remix MENDELSSOHN Octet
Players: ČIURLIONIS QUARTET
JONAS TANKEVIČIUS – Violin
DARIUS DIKČAITIS – Violin
GEDIMAS DAČINSKAS – Viola
SAULIUS LIPČIUS – Cello
ENGEGÅRD QUARTET
ARVID ENGEGÅRD – Violin
ALEX ROBSON – Violin
JULIET JOPLING – Viola
JAN CLEMENS CARLSEN – Cello
THE CREEKSIDE HERMIT 