Strange Day in the Country

The title is a reference to a track from Moonchild, the debut album by Celtus back in 1997.

Here in 2023, yesterday was a bit of a strange day. I awoke to the news that, during the small hours of the night, the Scotland Men's cricket team had secured a 10 wicket victory over Namibia in their latest ICC League 2 match. Astonishing as it was, it wasn't going to be the biggest shock of the day.

Just before lunch, after a morning of work admin, I flicked over to social media to be stunned by the news that Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's First Minister, had announced her resignation. Now, I am not a particularly political animal, but to my mind, it is impossible to have lived through Brexit and a global pandemic without having developed a respect for such a straight talking, down to earth, empathetic and conscientious leader. She stood head and shoulders above many other politicians, both at home and abroad, in times when it was critical that she put her country first. Admittedly, her country is Scotland, so not everyone is going to agree with me.

I'll also admit that it was difficult to concentrate on admin after that, or much else, if I'm honest. So, by mid afternoon, we gave up trying and went for a walk in the fresh air instead.

Ring of Brodgar and Harray Loch

A flock of Golden Plover

A solitary Raven

A Redshank on the shore of Stenness Loch

The plovers were doing laps

Ring of Brodgar from the Comet Stone

By evening time, I still hadn't recovered from the day's momentous news, although Middlesbrough football team winning 1-3 away at the team directly above them in the Championship was quite amazing.

Hopefully, today will be a bit calmer, but I can't guarantee it as we're going for a second viewing of a prospective new home. More changes are afoot.