Episode 197: Final Days on Orkney in the Campervan | Part 6 |

[@carotrike]

Thank you Helen for a lively series of videos about your trip to Scotland. It was lively to follow your journey. As you said, it was worth all your hard work putting these films together!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you so much - I am so glad you enjoyed joining us on our travels! x

[@estherrubin867]

Thank you, Helen and Phil, for sharing your epic trip to Orkney. I didn’t miss a minute of it and appreciate how much work has gone into creating these beautiful videos. Your composition honoring Orkney is so expressive and I could feel how much this place means to you. I fully understand how hard it is to part from a magnificent part of the world, but the memories live on. We had the same type of feelings having traveled to the Canadian Rockies. For years it had been a dream of ours to go there and when we finally made it there, we were filled with so many memorable experiences that we still reminisce about. Sometimes a place just touches you in special way.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Esther. I agree completely that some places just touch us in a special way - we just bond with them - and I'm glad that you got that feeling from my "farewell" music. Thank you for sharing your own experiences, too! x

[@bettysshowtime7400]

What an amazing trip, Helen! Such lovely places on such tiny islands so steeped in history! A famous explorer, a saint and beautiful Cathedral. It was all fascinating I just felt sure you would come away with a pottery mouse! Thank you Helen for doing all the editing and uploading so that we, in far off countries , could enjoy the Orkneys., thanks also to Phil who walked so far and photographed the ancient habitations. The old man of Hoy, stunning!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Betty - I'm so glad you came along on our trip and experienced the richness of these islands! I couldn't resist the little mice at the pottery - I actually bought three then gave two away! x

[@barbaradaly4930]

Helen, I love your camper van videos. I am a crafter, history lover and homebody from New Jersey USA and to travel with you is much appreciated since I will never get to these sites myself. The history details, piano music, food glimpses and views from the road as you go (and constructing the mouse!) are heartwarming to me. Thank you for all the work that you do to create these videos, and say thanks to Phil as well.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you so much, Barbara - I'm very happy that you enjoy travelling along in the campervan with us - I shall pass on your thanks to Phil too! x

[@boek88]

We very much enjoyed the care, joy and melodies that went into the making of the wonderful series of your Orkney travels. Thank you very much! 🤓🍀😀👋🏻

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you so much for watching! I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

[@gingermolinero8386]

Helen thank you for a most wonderful trip and the music was incredible. As I will never be able to make this trip on my own I thank you again. You are very talented and your vlogs enhance my life

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you so much - I'm very happy to know that you enjoyed coming along with us! x

[@lindaapplegate4559]

This series was a treat, Helen. Your original composition to Orkney made me tear up. It is beautiful. And I’ll know I’ll be humming it throughout my week. I’ve learned a lot. Take care.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Linda - and I'm especially glad that you enjoyed the final piece of music! x

[@lindaeccles1161]

Thank you Helen, that was wonderful. Saying goodbye to such an enchanting place is always hard. Lots of great memories and souvenirs. Take care

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Linda - I'm so glad you enjoyed watching! We certainly have some wonderful memories. x

[@maritjohanne3406]

Thank you for a wonderful trip! It has been so nice to see the nature and all the interesting historical places. And thank you for all the interesting historical information!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Marit - I have thoroughly enjoyed taking you along! x

[@ericallerton809]

❤❤thanks so much Helen 🎉🎉🎉 Loved that so much ,,,, The history,,,,,weather,,,,food breaks,,,,all of the video,,,,,the music,,,!!! Elaine ❤️🏠

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Elaine - it was my pleasure to take you along! x

[@deniseengel1451]

Thank you Helen and Phil for taking us on your Orkney trip. I have enjoyed it immensely especially the history that you shared.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - it's our pleasure! x

[@rachelknight1064]

What a great series of videos - I thoroughly enjoyed them all. It's lovely to know you enjoyed your trip so much and now you too (as well as us) have the added bonus of replaying your visit as many times as you like. As ever, beautiful piano music to accompany the scenery. Thank you so much for sharing and look forward to seeing where else you have been. Happy crafting and travelling!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Rachel - I'm so glad you came along! And all the hours that I spent it will be worth the effort when we come to look back on this trip in the future. x

[@martinebrumwell3820]

I really enjoy your trips out and all the interesting things you show us when visiting different places. Thank you so much and keep sharing - so many of us really appreciate it.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Martine - I am very happy to be able to share these happy experiences with you! x

[@jankitteringham8483]

I have loved your trip to these lovely Islands Helen. Thankyou so much. The music you played at the Cathedral was beautiful. Phil’s supper looked delicious! 🥰🇬🇧

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Jan - I'm glad you enjoyed watching! x

[@linbourne8731]

Thank you for sharing your and Phil's extended trip to Orkney. I can quite see why you developed such a soft spot for it and felt a sadness to leave. A truly wonderful set of islands xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Lin - it was our pleasure to share the joys of our trip with you! x

[@ShelleyRooney-kt7zr]

Hi Helen,what a treat this was to experience, absolutely wonderful, I had a little lump in my throat too!🤗 Thank you again for all the time and effort you put into producing these videos and for sharing them with us. I also think it's lovely of you to take the time to reply to each comment individually, you're a treasure xx

[@mousiemakespod]

@@ShelleyRooney-kt7zr Thank you so much, Shelley! I’m really glad that you’ve enjoyed coming along on the Orkney trip - and at least we can watch the videos through again if we want to revisit! xx

[@ShelleyRooney-kt7zr]

😊 I often watch your videos multiple times!

[@craftdipper]

This trip to Orkney was epic, Helen - definitely worth re-watching. I was so thrilled you played your beautiful Orkney Farewell today - it is so emotive and I love the sense of the drone of the pipes you achieve in it❤ I also enjoyed the piece you played on organ tone as you showed us around the cathedral - it helped express the sense of awe one feels in such a setting. Thanks for a beautiful video, Helen xo

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Shirley - you are very welcome indeed and I'm especially glad that you enjoyed the music! xx

[@sandrachilds7229]

Thank you for all the hard work on the Orkney adventures. I have learned so much about these beautiful Islands. "Farewell to Orkney" composition so poignant.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Sandra - I'm very glad that I could take you along, and happy that you enjoyed the final piece of music! x

[@PaulaGoodeve]

Beautiful Helen. Thank you for such a beautifully narrated holiday summary. Paula x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Paula - I'm so glad you enjoyed watching! x

[@slowcrochet]

What a beautiful conclusion to a wonderful trip! Thanks as ever for bringing us along! I cannot imagine I would ever have the opportunity to get out to Orkney, so I am that much more grateful to have gone along with you!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Mary - I'm so glad that you came along on our travels and experienced places that you may not manage to visit (but you never know...!) x

[@michellehenderson2773]

Helen thank you so much for taking us along on your fantastic trip to Orkney it's a beautiful place all the history beautiful crafts to treasure. Really enjoyed your trip I'm watching it again with my eldest son 😊 Have a lovely week take care Happy crafting xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Michelle - it was my pleasure to take you along! xx

[@lindachadwick2911]

Thank you for all your work putting together these videos. They have been wonderful. X

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Linda - I'm so glad you've enjoyed following along! x

[@lindashields5939]

Oh what a lovely trip that was. Thank you Helen and Phil for taking me along. Also a big thank you to Helen for all the historical research and lovely music. Until the next time. Salam wa sa’aadah

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Linda - we loved being able to take you along! x

[@clairegould8704]

This was lovely .I feel like I’ve been on holiday ! Thank you 🙂🙏🏻

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Claire - I'm glad you enjoyed coming along! x

[@penelopeschinwag]

So emotional. Thanks for showing me your wonderful trip. xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Pene - it was my pleasure! xx

[@michelleking3073]

Hi Helen I enjoyed your video series of the Orkney trip so much. I’m going back to your playlist and am going to watch it all again. Thank you to you and Phil for sharing. Michelle xxx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Michelle - I hope you enjoy watching the complete trip! Phil and I are looking forward to doing that sometime soon! xxx

[@knitting.in.the.north.]

Thank you so much Helen, for sharing your experiences of your amazing trips and the history of them, which I really appreciate. X💕

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - I'm so glad you enjoyed watching! x

[@wendylinsdell3681]

That was a lovely video to end the Orkney series , i have enjoyed it immensely and sad that it has come to an end , yourself and Phil have given us all a look back into the lives of people long gone , the scenery and how people live today ,watching the pottery being made was fascinating and its nice that you have reminders of that visit , thankyou Helen and Phil 😊

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Wendy - I'm very glad that you came along with us on this memorable trip! x

[@pamelageoghegan8859]

Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic trip with us, Helen. So much stunning scenery and interesting history. I particularly liked the wee Birsay Bay tea room. Such happy memories for you to enjoy during the winter. x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Pamela - we definitely have a lot of happy memories to look back on, and I'm glad that I could share them with you! x

[@susanpharoah8996]

Helen, I can't express in words how breathtaking this series was, I will be watching again. Your skills with camera and word are fantastic. I think I speak for most when I say well done and thankyou for sharing this wonderful experience. X💛🧡❤️💙

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you so much, Susan, for your kind words - I am very glad that you enjoyed watching and will watch again! x

[@joyofthings]

I was very taken by the pottery, I loved the buttons.Your choice of pots you got to take home was perfect.xx🐝🐝🐝

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - I definitely rather tempted by those buttons! xx

[@heathertucker7056]

Have absolutely loved this Orkney series Helen and thank you so much for sharing it. It looks such an interesting area to visit. The piece of music you played as you left described your feelings perfectly to be leaving Orkney and I noticed you composed it which was extra special. I have to say I simply love a Caueway! I think it’s the element of tidal risk although I would never be irresponsible! X

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Heather - I'm so glad you enjoyed this final episode of our trip and especially that you enjoyed the final piece of music! I know what you mean about causeways - there's definitely something exciting about them! x

[@bertieandpoppet-8837]

Ah Helen, I’ve enjoyed this series of videos so much. I felt a bit sad myself when you had to leave. It is a lot of work as you say to put it all together but you will always have this lovely reminder to watch again, as will we. Thank you! 😊 Gill

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Gill - I'm so glad you enjoyed travelling along with us! We certainly do have lots of wonderful memories to look back on. x

[@craftdipper]

On a craft note... It's good to remember that it's ok to "abandon" certain projects that do not light us up. Better to finish the "right" things than slog on through them all with a heavy sense of obligation 💖 Sometimes just the decision to leave off something can bring a great sense of relief and lightness, giving us energy for what we actually want to finish! So, thanks for that wee reminder❤

[@mousiemakespod]

You are absolutely right - and I'm going to chat about this topic a bit more in my next podcast! x

[@craftdipper]

@@mousiemakespod look forward to that😍

[@joyofthings]

Your tune was very moving Helen what a talent, Thankyou.xx🐝🐝

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Linda - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! xx

[@j_filippo]

That was awesome! I love your accompanying music as well.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and that you liked the music too! x

[@bevabberley1524]

Thank you Helen it is amazing how such grand places were built so far north and how the people who were involved in there construction would travel such distances. Amazing ❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - the cathedral builders were quite incredible and certainly did seem to travel far and wide! x

[@karenk380]

Well done, Helen! This was a epic trip with so many cool places to visit and history to learn and the landscape is wonderful. You made such an entertaining video series for us to enjoy and for future you to review and reminisce. I am so glad you did not let a little rain and wind stop you from enjoying your time. You always seemed to be positive. I'm sure being able to choose to sit and craft from time to time helped you to relax and refresh. Traveling can be stressful, at least it can be for me. I like down time so my brain can calm down. I was just off on a tangent thinking i watched that photography technology has come a long way just in our lifetime. When digital cameras first became a thing, wow, what a game changer. Now look at us. Sharing videos around the world. I can see Phil getting a drone, or maybe he has one already. Of the few channels I watch that use them, I am so amazed getting a birds eye view. Our planet never ceases to be amazing whether up close and zoomed in, or from far above. 😊 I look forward to your next adventure! Take care and I'll see you next week🤗.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Karen. It can be tempting, when away on holidays such as ours, to fill the whole time with active pursuits - I am always glad to have those down times to spend on some gentle crafting! And you're right about photography technology having changed so much! Some drone footage would be such fun - I'm hoping that I can persuade Phil... See you soon xx

[@ElaineP49]

Another great vlog Helen, and as always thoroughly enjoyed all the narration and your beautiful music….I can understand your reluctance to leave such beautiful countryside …such great video and photos to remember….thanks once again and look forward to lots more content….x x x 🥰

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Elaine - I'm glad you enjoyed the trip! Looking forward to sharing the next one with you before too long. xx

[@tammyintiaras]

Hi Helen, what a lovely video a lovely end to the whole series. Well done. It’s always lovely to hear the history of the places that you’re at. You are so knowledgeable you go to such trouble to give us all these beautiful videos. Thank you so much sending so much love from beautiful Ballarat. God bless to you and Phil and Pearl who gives you so much joy ❤❤❤❤🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Tammy - I'm so glad that you've enjoyed coming along with us on this trip! We feel so fortunate that we can travel in Pearl to these places - and I love being able to share them with you! xx

[@tammyintiaras]

@@mousiemakespod hello darling I didn’t get any notification that you had replied to my comment. Thank you so much. I must’ve turned something off and be known to me. Looking forward to your next video which comes out tomorrow morning so I can’t wait for that. I’m hoping to do a long format video this week, I haven’t done one for six weeks which is not like me at all. Lots of love darling. God bless.❤️🎊💕❤️🙏

[@marybarratt2649]

Really enjoyed the whole series Helen and so welcome amidst the craziness that is the world at the moment. Euphemia was John E. Millais’ wife’s name (more commonly Effie) and I like it too. Thanks so much for all your hard work in presenting these videos. Much appreciated. x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Mary. I confess that I had to look up John E Millais and I'm very glad that I did - what a wonderful painter! It was my pleasure to take you along on this trip! x

[@megangilchrist4203]

Thank you for the wonderful footage and informative dialogue..really enjoyable..and the music was a real treat too ☘️❤️

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Megan - it was my pleasure! x

[@mandyhague6363]

What a lovely trip you both had. Thanks for sharing it with us.👍😊

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Mandy - I'm very happy that I could take you along! xx

[@jeancairns1825]

Another wonderful trip with you, thank you! ‘Farewell to Orkney’ is a beautiful composition, Helen; I could sense the sadness of your leaving and the yearning to return. Lovely memories you are capturing for yourselves to look back and treasure in years to come.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Jean - I'm so glad you enjoyed watching and especially that you enjoyed the final piece of piano music! We definitely have some wonderful memories to look back on. x

[@Yvonne.49]

Thanks again Helen for a great trip. I never tire of seeing those ancient dwellings. Charming islands and I understood your sadness to leave.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Yvonne - I was glad to take you along x

[@Hellen-pf7ts]

That was very educational, I really love finding out the history of a place and you always include great detail - all the interesting items which most would miss. I love it when you tell us about the figures from the past, the vikings and picts and how our forefathers lived. I also enjoy your food stops and pottery shopping (I was sure you'd buy the little blue mouse with the dark spot at the edge of her dress). Thank you very much for all the effort you put into these lovely videos Helen (& Phil of course). Looking forward to your next podcast, best wishes Helen x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Hellen - I'm so glad you enjoyed travelling along with us! I did actually buy that blue mouse that you spotted - then sent it off as a prize after the mouse makealong! x

[@LC-d5h]

Lovely to see places I've never been to Helen thanks for all your work 😊

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Lorraine - I'm glad I could take you along! x

[@vickybossom9957]

Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. Your departure from Oroney with your music was very moving. Love these visits with you. ❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Vicky - I'm so glad you've enjoyed this trip! x

[@valeriecarroll6811]

Thank you Helen for sharing with us. You have such knowledge xxx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Valerie - it was my pleasure! x

[@elizabethrutledge8182]

Dear Helen - what a beautiful end to your trip to Orkney- like so many other lucky viewers I enjoyed every moment of it! There’s something quite magical about small islands- quite hard to explain but something like another world ! I was again enthralled by the history- the size of St Magnus Cathedral and the settlement on the hillside was astonishing, I also loved the link of Eliza Fraser from our own Australian history 😊 and what wonderful memories you must have- these videos must have taken you so long to make but they’re worth every moment- best wishes from Elizabeth in Tasmania where we’re experiencing decidedly Orkney weather; strong winds for what seems like weeks on end,rain, hail and floods- though as it’s the Equinox today maybe we’re in for a change 😊

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm so glad that I've been able to take you along on our travels! It does sound as though your weather is behaving rather like the weather we had in Orkney and I hope that it calms down very soon! xx

[@helendeacon7637]

A brilliant series of travel videos, Helen. Your sweet sorrow at leaving was understandable, your sense of the place had grown in the time you were there. So many highlights, I'm not surprised your memories have been so rich. I was fascinated by St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall and John Brae, who I'd read little bits about. Stromness looked a treasure to explore too. These are so worth watching over again... thank you and enjoy the memorable little keepsakes you chose. (I was taken by the teeny-tiny chairs, have to add).❤💐

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Helen - I'm so glad to have shared the richness of our experiences in Orkney! xx

[@shariwitt1977]

Hello Helen, a wonderful video to end the Orkney series. I have loved it all. It was fun to witness you collecting another unique name for a future handmade animal. I felt a little connected - in a very remote way - when you shared about the Hudson Bay Company. Many years ago I visited a shop of the same Hudson Bay Company in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, and came away with one their famous bay point blankets - points historically given by the number of beaver pelts traded for the blankets. (I am sad for all those poor beavers.) Also i worked in a Hudson's store as a tailor for a few years - decended from the historic company. It fascinates me that the company still exists today. I like the little stone representations of people as well - I think they are cute! Thank you so much Helen! Hugs from me.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Shari - it was a pleasure to take you along on this trip! And I do love the way little things can make us feel more connected, such as your association with the Hudson Bay Company - thank you for sharing those things. Sending hugs all the way to Ohio! xx

[@margaretgreen9062]

Thank you Helen. I’ve enjoyed every moment of your trip and the wonderful music. You’re a star for editing all those wonderful episodes.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Margaret - you are very welcome indeed! x

[@epiphany8276]

I’ve been away in England for 3 weeks visiting family in the south and north. Very lucky that we had good weather except for two days. I was pleased to catch up with this video of your wonderful trip. Reminding me of my visit a couple of years ago. I always get nervous when crossing tidal causeways but we timed it right on our visit too by chance. Thanks for sharing your trip and as there is so much to see I hope to return and will refer to this as a guide!! Jane.

[@mousiemakespod]

It's lovely that you've some time away to visit family, especially with the weather being kind to you! I'm glad to have brought you some happy memories of Orkney - thank you, Jane! x

[@shirleylee3172]

Hi Helen thank you for taking us with you on your Scottish Islands holiday very interesting and full of history the fish and chips looked delicious ❤take care both of you

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Shirley! I'm glad you came along with us! x

[@Waiaulou]

Thank you so much for the footage on the deck as you left. I wonder what my great, great grandmother would have been thinking as she sailed from her hometown around 1835. I have letters between her and her father. once she settled into life as a domestic servant in England. It's great to see Stromness, where my ancestors lived. Thank you again for the whole Orkney series, I have totally appreciated it as I love working on my Family Tree and you have given me some background where some of them lived. Take care.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - I'm so glad that I was able to show you the place where your ancestors lived! I'm happy that I could take you along on this trip to this wonderful place! x

[@maureen4669]

Hello Helen, I've really enjoyed your Orkney videos. In this one, I especially liked seeing the Harray Potter at work. I love the house guardian figures.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Maureen - you are so welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed seeing the potter at work! x

[@heatherwood756]

Fascinating history and stories. I studied about the Northwest passage in school, learned about John Rae. The Hudson Bay Company was very much a part of settling Canada, even on the prairies. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to more adventures! And I just knew you would find a mouse to buy lol.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Heather. I certainly found it very interesting to learn about John Rae and Orkney's links with the Hudson Bay Company. I was so pleased to find the little mouse! xx

[@pamjones3377]

I have enjoyed every minute of this trip, especially as Orkney is dear to us. I can only imagine the hours you put in to all of this, and I want you to know that it is hugely appreciated and enjoyed. I’m always delighted to see a new video from you! I may now binge watch all of this trip! 😘💕xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Pam - I was very happy to be able to take you along and it has definitely been worth the hours of my time that I've spent putting it all together! xx

[@angelaholcroft4515]

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible holiday. I've enjoyed every instalment. Learning some fascinating historical facts . Seeing the wonderful wild scenery. I can imagine that you've stored precious memories. I hope that all is well with you and yours. Yarndale prep is happening here. Have a lovely week, take care. Xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Angela - I have really enjoyed being able to take you along! We definitely have some very special memories to look back on. All well here - and hope the same with you, too. Keeping my fingers crossed that I may be in Skipton on Sunday... Good luck with your preparations! xx

[@ic7505]

Thoroughly enjoyed this last episode (I’ve loved them all). Your ‘Farewell’ composition really evokes the sadness you felt. I haven’t felt a malignant aura myself but I do believe buildings, the stones, can retain memories if you will. Look at Churches - most have a sense of peace. Sadly some have no presence 🤷‍♀️. Your travelogues are so well done. Thank you for all the research and interesting facts. I’m glad you indulged in a few things to remind you of such a wonderful vacation. I loved the overlay footage at the Old Man of Hoy, as you passed it on the ferry. That was a scary view at the top! Well done Helen 🤗🥰❤️- Isabel (I know you know my name - just habit 🤪) PS I too like Euphemia Elphinstone’s name. My great grannie was Euphemia. You seldom hear that now.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Isabel - I'm sorry but also relieved to have got to the end of this series of videos! It's very interesting how buildings do seem to hold a sense of things that have happened there though I was taken by surprise by my response to that castle! I'm glad you liked the "Old Man" overlay - I wasn't sure if it worked okay! How wonderful that your great grannie was called Euphemia - definitely not a commonly-heard name these days! xx

[@MiriamMcDade]

A lovely lovely video Helen… very interesting historically….. looks like your whole trip away was fab thanks for taking us along 😊.. love the accompanying piano music

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Miriam - I was very pleased that you came along on this wonderful trip and that you enjoyed the music! x

[@kittykatsknitplace69]

Another great video of beautiful countryside love the whole trip to Orkney,thank you for sharing

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you - I'm so glad you came along! x

[@christinebrown6154]

Such a delight to watch the whole Orkney series. Loved especially the pottery & the Orkney chairs. So well done Helen . Thank you Helen. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Christine - I'm so glad that you enjoyed coming along on our trip! x

[@itsanomadslife]

Hi helen so many lovely things to see in your video i do love a castle and the dinner looked delicious ❤ those little chairs were beautiful and just right for your little mouse i hope one day to get to orkney ive been very inspired thankyou for taking us along ❤x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Nikki - we have so many happy memories of that trip and I'm very glad I could give you a taste - and I hope that you will get there one day in your new van! xx

[@Shelly.Norris]

Another wonderful travel vlog! Thank you so much! Now I’m off to watch the whole series again!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Shelly - I hope you enjoy watching the whole trip from beginning to end! 😂x

[@IngridConno]

Thank you for sharing ❤ sweet memories for us too, even the little toilet building in birsay🤭

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Ingrid - I did wonder if you had encountered that little toilet building during your visit! x

[@sharonwhite6987]

What a great group of videos, I enjoyed every second of them! I think you and Phil need to start a tour company, I would be your first customer! I had that same "get out" feeling once when I visited an abandoned farmhouse here in Virginia...a first for me too.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Sharon - I'm so glad you came along - we love showing these wonderful places through our eyes! It's interesting that you once had a feeling of needing to leave a place - it felt like a very strange experience. x

[@judithstonier9872]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this trip to Orkney with you I'm not surprised you were sad to leave it felt like a completely different world , the pottery was beautiful I wouldn't have known what to choose and would have spent fat too much money there ! 😊❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Judith. We really did feel that we were far from the troubles of the world while we were away! The pottery definitely caused a dilemma in what to choose to bring away with us - rather a lot of temptations! x

[@margaretrodee3519]

What a wonderful tour of the Orkney Islands we’ve been on with you. I’m sure it must have taken hours to put these together. I hope someday as you and Phil rewatch these videos you are flooded with happy memories and feel glad you took the time to document them and share them with us. ❤

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Margaret - I am very fortunate that I'm able to find the time to make these videos about our travels - I think they will be wonderful memories to look back on! x

[@EvieO1950]

Lovely finale! Such a picturesque seaside town! Found the historic sites so interesting. Thank you for all the background information. Wonderful travels!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Evelyn - I loved being able to take you along! x

[@deborahcopeland384]

I think you must be an empath to feel the emotions in that castle. It is a gift and sometimes a burden as well. I love a ferry voyage. . We have some here in the US but not so many as you have there. and most are fairly short crossings. Thank you for sharing.

[@mousiemakespod]

I had such strong negative feelings in that castle - thankfully not something I experience too often. I do love being on a ferry, especially going somewhere new! Thank you, Deborah x

[@trudymeyer430]

I had to chuckle at the “inevitable cups of tea.😄. A question.. how do you take your tea? Milk first? My Mom had a British friend and she fixed us tea…best cuppa I ever had. But I was young and didn’t pay attention to the order of pouring😮. I’d love to know your take. I’m so glad that we can visit the Orkney’s again thanks to your wonderful videos. So special. As a side note, I too have worked in places that have stirred up uneasy feelings. I worked at some historic and prehistoric sites in the US that left me with questions. Thanks for making my evening special with your podcast xx

[@mousiemakespod]

Thanks, Trudy. When I make tea in pot, I always put the milk in the cup first, although I think it tastes the same as putting the milk in second... If I make tea with a teabag in a mug, I always add the milk second because I feel that the teabag needs to be in boiling water to begin with, and not cooled down by having the milk in first! But I don't think think there's a right or wrong way... xx

[@lynnewilcox8169]

Wonderful trip. I was expecting you to play Farewell to Stromness by Peter Maxwell Davies at the end. One of my favourite piano pieces.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Lynne. I absolutely love playing Farewell to Stromness and it would have made the perfect ending - but as it was composed in 1980 it is still under copyright and KZbin doesn't let me use music that is still copyrighted! However, as the ferry sailed away from Stromness, I was actually humming that piece to myself! 😂💕

[@francis-k1o]

Only two words: Thank You!!!!!!

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you for watching - you are very welcome! x

[@carolinemacadie4685]

Thank you for your great videos, really looked forward to the next video, feel I learn so much history and experience places I wouldnt normally see, i loved the pottery i think it's good i wasnt there i would have bought so much , but he has a website !! x

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Caroline - I'm so glad you enjoyed watching! The pottery was very tempting indeed... and a website sounds excellent though an added temptation! 😂💕x

[@joysedgwick812]

Lovely video of the end of your epic journeying, thank you for putting together these videos of your travels for all of us to share. I like to guess what you might buy……and I thought you were going to choose the little blue mouse and a small jug, so I wasn’t too far wrong 😂. I finally finished my “mousealong” stitching yesterday, only two months late😊.

[@mousiemakespod]

Thank you, Joy! I'm so glad you joined us for this journey! And you were right about the blue mouse - I actually bought it as one of the prizes for the mouse makealong! Glad to know that your mousealong stitching is now finished! x

[@lostinsomerset6002]

Euphemia Elphinstone sounds like a Thomas Hardy heroine!!

[@mousiemakespod]

It does, doesn't it! Rather lovely! x