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Knights re-enacted the film Planes, Trains and Automobiles
in their efforts to make it to Orkney for the special 60th birthday Modern Mega Manor (MMM); the birthday being that of Colin. Some Knights and guests couldn't wait and made it to the island before the official kick-off date of Friday. Helena, Rob, Dez, Martin, Phil, Anne and Steve put a significant percentage of the Cape Society membership at risk by taking the same small plane from Edinburgh to Kirkwall early on the Friday morning. Having landed, they took a short bus trip from the airport to Kirkwall and had a wander around before each found their own accommodation for the duration of the trip. In the case of Rob, Anne, Steve and Helena, that was the St Ola Hotel. Phil was in a hotel next door and Martin and Dez were in a wee B&B on the outskirts of town. No point in hanging around hotel rooms so, after dropping off bags it was straight back out on to the streets and a chance meeting with Terry and Amy at St Magnus Cathedral. Colin had been on the blower and it was decided the full entourage should meet up in the bar of the Orkney Hotel: there being a surprising lack of pubs in Kirkwall. There was just enough time for everyone to meet 'n' greet the likes of Big Colin, Kirsty, Mhairi ?????, Carol, Dave and man of the moment, Colin, before the call of the Highland Park distillery grew too loud to ignore (although we did have time to rib Colin over his Excel itinerary skills and arrange a table for everyone to eat around that evening). The distillery was a good 30 minutes’ walk away but Knights and guests made it in good time to the pre-booked Viking Soul tour which was very enjoyable and informative. Afterwards, Knights and guests sauntered back in to town, went to book in to accommodation and freshen-up, before heading back to the Orkney Hotel and a lovely, old-fashioned setting for tea... and Onion-ring-gate. The evening was rounded off it the best possible fashion around a dartboard and Highland Park whiskies (Scapa) in the St Ola Hotel. On the Saturday morning, Knights and guests met early and took full advantage of a car kindly hired by Colin and driven my Martin. This was invaluable in exploring the island: first stop Maeshowe chambered cairn. There was some torrential rain to endure on the walk to Maeshowe but, luckily, this was the only dowsing Knights and guests endured on their whole MMM. The young guide had some entertaining patter and kept the entire group of MMMers and other tourists engrossed in painting a picture of what life was most likely like in and around the cairn. After that history lesson, there were some more stops at some of the numerous Orkney archaeological sites: Stenness and Skara Brae included. Then it was time for some Cape culture of the convivial variety with stop off at the Orkney Brewery where the weather was pleasant enough for a small libation of local beer to be enjoyed outside the brewery at the picnic benches. Back in Kirkwall, Anne, Rob, Dez, Helena and Steve stumbled on what was to be the only pub found on the trip: the Auld Motor Hoose. After a couple of beers it was time to don glad rags for the 60th birthday party: woo hoo! Kirsty and Mhairi made a great effort in decorating the back part of the lounge bar in the St Ola Hotel where the Cape crew enjoyed a nice bar meal, courtesy of Colin. A few beers back in the Motor Hoose polished off a second great MMM day in Orkney. Sunday started with a visit to the lovely Italian Chapel and was continued with a bite to eat at St Margarets Hope. The consensus among Knights and guests was to take advantage of the 'taps aff' weather and the remainder of the day was well spent on a couple of beautiful beaches and being educated on some of the First World War antics of German and British forces by some of the Knights and guests. Paddling was obligatory for the Whitest Boy on the Beach. Time to head back to Kirkwall and court conviviality with a few libations at the Orkney Hotel, followed by tea at the Empire Chinese restaurant and the obligatory visit to the local British Legion, swiftly facilitated by Dave: a great value for money end to, for some, the final night in Orkney. For those who had stepped off the place together three days earlier, it was time to fly home the following morning. Colin and some others stayed on and enjoyed, among other things, a visit to Colin's old family home: now home to Orkney Radio. A great treat arranged by his two daughters.

What a Mega Manor!

Thanks to everyone who came along and especially Colin for all his work organising aspects of the Modern-Mega-Manor.

The Wee Kuato Turtle