Poppies in Remembrance at St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
If you sail north above Scotland, you find the beautiful Orkney Islands. Seventy island form Orkney and twenty are inhabited. I was privileged to visit Orkney and its administrative center, Kirkwall, in 2019. It's high on my list for a return visit, but alas, getting there is not easy, and so I return in my memories and here in Buttercupland.
Let's step into the Cathedral
One of the sights that stands out is the St. Magnus Cathedral, Britain's most northerly cathedral. The foundations began in 1137 and it has been home to Roman Catholic, the Norwegian Church, the Scottish Episcopal, and the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) worship. It houses a moving memorial to the 800 sailors of HMS Royal Oak, who died in a bombing in October 1939. It was the first Allied ship that was bombed in World War II.
The interior of the Cathedral
Today is the eleventh day of the Eleventh month. It is Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom, Canada and all of the Commonwealth. Today is also a holiday in France and Belgium, commemorating the end of World War I. Tragically, World War I, the war to end all wars, was not the end of war.
Today and every day, moments of gratitude and reflection, for those who have sacrificed so much in the past, and those who serve today and continue to sacrifice, as well as prayers for their safety.
It's finally autumn in New York -- yes, a great song title -- and finally I'm getting back to Buttercupland. I loved all of the travel this fall, but as usual it got me totally out of my routine and this fall was no exception. It's taken me longer to get back into routine, but now I feel that I'm settling back into my usual activities. I've got a long list of things I'd like to accomplish for the next few months and I'm beginning to click things off the list. This afternoon includes walking and getting my flu shot. What's on your list for the week?
As ever, thanks for visiting and take care.
7 comments
Thank you for this moving article about 11/11
The previous comment is mine!
Good reminder and nice post about Veteran's Day. You have done a lot of good travel lately. I hope you have a good week! See you again soon.
I'm glad you are back and I love this post on multiple levels -- Veterans Day, of course, but also Orkney. I've been intrigued about Orkney since we first watched the winter solstice online from Maes Head (I think). And this summer I read a pretty good mystery that was set in Orkney -- mostly Stromness. The history that was included (it was contemporary but they went a lot of places) was fascinating. Have you read any Jeanne Dams mysteries? I found her character annoying in some but in the Orkney one, I was actually really in it and gave it a good review. I'm doing Veterans Day too (in England). Cheers.
Thank you for remembering the Veterans and all they have done.
Great post and loved the history of your visit. So many gone but not forgotten at all. I'm so thankful for the peaceful country I live in due to the protection of our military. Wars are devestating.
Enjoyed all the history in this post, Carol. I also did a post about Veterans Day as we had a parade in downtown Nashua. Tis week, I am finishing y Thanksgiving cards to mail and will think about starting the Christmas ones we are away in NJ the week of Thanksgiving.
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