Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland

 Since this is our second time here, we chose a shorter excursion that would explore a different part of the island than we saw before.  This time we did the southern part.  During WWI the protected water area  in amongst the islands, which is called the Scapa Flow, was used as a naval base.  However, it was pretty exposed and enemy ships got through.  After the war, there were a bunch of ships sunk at the various entry points to discourage that in the future.  It didn't work very well during WWII as a submarine made it in between one of the sunken ships and the shore and sunk a British Naval ship.  Fortunately, all of the other ships were out on maneuvers, but still, over 800 boys and men were lost.  First Admiral Winston Churchill ordered permanent barriers, so four bridges were built between some of the islands in the East.   They are known as the Churchill Barriers.

This is one of the remaining sunken ships from 100 years ago.  It's now used by snorkelers and divers, some of which can be seen in the water to the right of the ship.

This oil platform has been towed into Scapa Flow so that it can be repaired and/or painted.  It will be returned probably after the winter, according to our guide.

One of the Churchill Barriers.

Another view of the Churchill Barrier.  They are quite narrow - weren't really designed for two busses or trucks passing each other.

Our first stop was at the village of St. Margaret's Hope.  We popped into the local grocery and bought a jar of Rose's Lime and Lemon Marmalade and a tube of Prawn Cocktail flavored Pringles.  They're actually pretty good.

This ran in front of the bay.

And this ran in back.  However, they did meet, so you could get from Front to Back with just one step.

It was a beautiful, quiet place.

The next stop was at the Italian Chapel.  Those Churchill Barriers were built by Italian Prisoners of War.  About 1,200 of them were in two camps and one of the camps built this chapel.  It is beautiful.

You can see it is actually two quonset huts put together with a cement face.

The walls are all done with paint.  There aren't any tiles.

The iron work is all from scrap railings or fences, whatever they could get.  They used bully beef tins to make the candle holders.

Amazing what they did with paint.

A monument to St. George slaying the Dragon outside the chapel, also done by the Italians and dated August 7, 1943

Didn't earn any points at Trivia (the national animal of Scotland is the unicorn??), but we had fun as we always do.  Terry Bishop and Cruise Director Paul did a little show for the higher level members of the Regent Seven Seas Society (la-de-dah) and then we had dinner for two at Compass Rose. 

Michael decided to skip the show tonight, but I went and I'm so glad I did.  The performer was the classical pianist and he was wonderful.  But for his "encore" number he started playing "Ave Maria" and shortly the classical guitarist came out and joined him.  And then the classical singer came out to join in and the three of them did a fabulous job.  When that was over, The Other Guys came out and all of them together sang/played "I'm a Believer' and then the chorus of "Hey Jude" with the audience joining in, naturally.  It was really delightful to witness.  I've seen all of them around the ship, of course, and often they were together so I think they really enjoyed each others company and so came up with that plan.  It was really special and I'm not sure that would ever happen on a big ship.