The News We Wanted To Hear in Orkney

[@ianmoir5423]

The wrecks you showed are actually the block ships that were used before the Churchill barriers were built. There aren`t any German wrecks left on the surface of Scapa Flow. The remaining wreck are a great attraction for sport divers.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Ian for the clarification 👍

[@stevematthews2375]

Ahhh...the perfect celebration of a visit to the Gloop is the sound of the Amber Nectar being poured into a glass receptical and admiring its wonderful glow in the last of the sunshine and that lovely warmth as it slips down! Thanks for the post, just what's needed. Congratulations to you both

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Steve, aye we enjoyed the gloop, as you say, almost as much as the sound of a wee dram coming to life in the glass👍🐾🥃

[@getawaygeese]

We love you Twats - your are our favourite Scottish ones. Exciting key gate selling the house and so excited for you both - having seen your old house we know your new home will look brilliant. Loved Orkney trip and in the sun it looks a destination. Thanks for sharing really enjoyed the history. Interesting to see the Broch as we soon visit Erin Broch in the UK which is unusual. Liked the history on the Italian barracks what a place I am sure it was not so good back there but what views. I bet on a way they enjoyed the projects to get away from the war. Also loved the wreck montage Dog should of been called Bob or Marley lol Sorry for the big comment I typed as I watched lying in Harry at 6am. Jane is doing an impression of a chain saw - she is really good at it 😂 Stay safe guys and enjoy the house move and build process …. Stew n Jane x

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks you guys, that made us chuckle reading through your comments. Orkney is a fantastic place, we have loved it here. Hope you are both still enjoying your current tour and as always we are looking out for your next Vlog. 👍💕🐾

[@stephenswanton2748]

Oh the envy of retirement freedom. I need to get there sooner rather than later. Good to see you out and about again guys. Hi Keira.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Stephen, we would definitely recommend it👍🐾💕

[@mikepowell9326]

Such a lovely video you to are so amazing and love kiera happy travels guys take care

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Mike, really appreciate the feedback 👍 💕🐾

[@lostinlivi]

Fabulous video. The island light is wonderful. Great news about the house too, it'll be a huge relief to know it's settled.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Donald, yes its good news for us and the hard work of moving starts soon.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Hello You Three - greetings from a very autumnal Poland What a fantastic video. The sights and sounds of Orkney are incredible. I loved the Italian Chapel and waiting with baited breath for The Gloop! A wonderful journey, thanks so much for taking me along. Twatt sign was very funny. Tricia definatley won! I'm so very pleased for you, that you've managed to sell the house. Now you can move on. Love to Keira and stay safe please.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Michael, I am glad that you agree Trish won the Twatt competition. As you say, now we can move on but busy time ahead moving house. All the best for now.

[@slimmingbedlington1200]

I am always happy when I get a notification that you have another video.. good news about the house sale.. I visited the brochs at Glenelg again this year and to my delight found a micro brewery next to one.. good news we were staying at the Glenelg Inn .. looking forward to your next adventures x

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks so much for your lovely message, we have not been to Glenelg but maybe next time we are heading to Skye we will swing by there for a look as we love going to see these ancient sites. Thanks again 👍💕🐾

[@sharronlittle5584]

Wow what a fantastic place Orkney looks. Now on our list for Summer 2023, a road trip from York. Great news about the house.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Sharron would thoroughly recommend Orkney👍🐾💕

[@nikoloko5561]

Great video so relaxing! Thank you take care 👍😎

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Nicole, appreciate that 👍💕🐾

[@janicetaylor2025]

So happy to hear the good news about the house selling. Gorgeous weather for visiting all the great places you went to. I'm so glad to hear that you will be back out in the van more often in the future. Really miss seeing you both and Keira. Love watching your videos and enjoy your sense of humour. Looking forward to more twatt-ful adventures! 😉 Now Brent and I have to make sure we have everything battened down good since we have Hurricane Fiona heading our way. Hopefully it will only be a tropical storm here on PEI by the time it gets to us. Until your next adventure - all the best!

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Janice, make sure you really batten down the hatches, you can't take any chances, and not saying that as a Twatt, saying that with my sensible head on 😉

[@lindao1327]

Lovely to see you again. Thanks for this vlog. Orkney looks interesting. Great news about the house. All the best for the future!

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Linda, we were really pleased to get the news about the house 👍💕🐾

[@diannedemler2531]

Hello to the Wee Broon Van Congratulations on selling your house. And thanks so much for your last two videos bringing back fond memories of our trip to Orkneys in 2017. Stayed at the same campsite which was fabulous and visited all the sites you have video’d 😀 Safe travels and look forward to the next episode. From a fellow vanner in New Zealand

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Hi Dianne, glad to have brought you these memories from such a beautiful place. We didn't get to see everything that we wanted to, but in a way, I like that...it means we will have new things to visit the next time we come here. Hope you are managing to get out and about in your van 👍💕🐾

[@tinacloud8466]

We love your videos. We both agree you have a perfect voice for audio books 😊 All the best in your adventures xxx

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Tina, maybe I should do audio books as a wee sideline or pod casts and make my fortune and go touring the world in the van. Nice dream 🤣👍💕🐾

[@000caro555]

Glad you got your house sold, always lovely to see Keira ❤ x

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Kalo, big kisses from Keira xxxx🐾🐾

[@whiskeycook3323]

Glad for your sale, housing market. Here in Wisconsin in a sad state due to interest rates. My highlight of my visit to Orkney was maes howe I was fascinated with the tomb

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, we tried to get to Maes Howe but it was fully booked, but that gives us something new to go and see the next time.

[@JanelleVocate-Ames]

Thanks for keeping us posted, so good to see you.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, that means a lot 👍💕🐾

[@Raggyboy29]

Hello! A friend just told me that he'd seen my Raggy on KZbin, and it is indeed him 😀He's been photographed loads of times but this is the first time I've seen a video of the wee lad. We'll probably see you again next time you are here - I will hopefully recognise Keira and you will almost definitely recognise Raggy...😉!

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Hi, yep that's your Raggy, we loved meeting him, actually we both fell in love with him immediately, he was such a friendly boy, we are so glad that your friend found us and that you were able to see him on our video. We will definitely recognise him next time.👍💕🐾

[@susangreenwell1431]

Enjoyed your video, Orkney looks beautiful 👋👋

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Susan, it sure was beautiful there, but glad to be away now that the weather has turned 👍💕🐾

[@alannorman1773]

Hi guys. Great news about your house and your plans for next year. What a relief. Thanks for this vlog. I’ve never been to Orkney but it looks amazing a definitely on the list. Take care and safe travels.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Alan we would definitely recommend Orkney and doing it with Pentland Ferries is a really good option as the boat takes just an hour. It was indeed amazing so glad to hear you have it on the list👍💕🐾

[@RolyHough]

The dog looked like Doogle from the Magic Roundabout yrs ago on tv. We enjoyed Kira saying goodbye at the end, you should add that as a sound effect every time xx, say bye Kira - Woof x

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, that actually wasn't Keira. She doesn't bark much, except when a dog comes on TV at home, then she goes daft 🤣

[@dianabelcher39]

Thank you for sharing an interesting vlog about Orkney, so much to see and enjoy...Loved the history part and the chapel was so very nice. Congratulations on your good news, everything seems to move along easily as soon as the first step happens ( the sale)....Good luck with all you're about to get going on.....

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Diana it sure is going to be a busy time for us. We have loved it in Orkney and will definitely be back at some point.

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM Congrats on that sale! Thanks, too, for bringing back such fond memories of Orkney - once seen never forgotten! YAM xx

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks YAM, you could probably tell that we were quite excited about selling the house, we are just itching to move on and get travelling more👍🐾💕

[@Thrayps]

Looking forward to more videos of your visit to Orkney.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, that was the last one in Orkney, we fell ill with covid and had to come home.

[@Thrayps]

@@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot Sorry to hear that,look forward to more soon.

[@janebeckwith7692]

Thank you for your video, I've just moved from Orkney after living in Twatt for 20 years, Orkney is magical.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Hi Jane, it sure is, it has always been a special place for Trish and I fell in love with it too.

[@highlandjournalart654]

Island life never leaves you, wherever you end up living x

[@sylviapage8572]

Another really interesting video. Great news about the sale of your house. Good luck with your building work.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Sylvia, it's all go for us now, we are just hoping that we will have it all done and be settled in for Christmas 🤞

[@janaylsworth7636]

Just a quick Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to both of you. Hoping next year is more settled and brings opportunities to have fun, relax and travel in the van.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Jan and hope you have a lovely Christmas. Not sure if we will be all sorted for Christmas but you will see how we got on moving in to our new house in our next vlog.

[@davidclark4653]

Wonderful wee video. I’ve been to Orkney with the young family about 100 years ago. I’d recommend going to the Eagles Tomb, I think it’s called. Best Wishes Dave

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Dave, we are home now, didn't hear of anything called that, but hey, there's always next time, cheers

[@davidclark4653]

I’ve since looked it up. The correct term is ‘Tomb of the Eagles’ definitely worth a visit next time. Always enjoy your wee videos. Thankyou. Dave

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

@@davidclark4653 Thanks Dave👍

[@ingaberstan3240]

Tomb of the eagles is currently closed for good.

[@fionacarey6627]

Thanks for yet another inspiring video. Good luck with the house sale transaction

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Fiona, we will take all the luck we can get 👍💕🐾

[@bobreid4553]

Great reminder of our visit to Orkney in 2021, would like to go back with my Bongo and do a bit of off grid parkups, but agree that campsite in Kirkwall is excellent

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Bob, aye its a great campsite but like you, we would also like to wild camp it next time.

[@awgroom]

Entertaining, informative and calming content. Thank you

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, that's great feedback for us 👍

[@susannetoon2709]

Just found you today.Really enjoyed your video.What a wonderful place.x

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It sure is a fabulous place. Really glad that you have found us 👍💕🐾

[@LifeistooshortCK]

That was a cracker 👍. That weather was amazing. Congrats on selling the house. RIP toolbox thank you for your service 🌹

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks you two, who would have thought that we could have weather like this in September in Orkney, just amazing. Next toolbox will be armoured plated 🤣

[@vansforthememories]

I’m so pleased to hear your good news 🎉 The island looks beautiful 😍 I’d love to go, but I don’t have good sea legs☺️ The dog was beautiful I think it’s a Portuguese Water Dog? I’ve always wondered what their coat feels like, I’ve never met one either. Shame about your step! Had a giggle at the sign, you were certainly making the most of saying it 🤣🤣 Best of luck with the sale process & see you in the next one. Best wishes, Em💛

[@Raggyboy29]

Gosh, a friend just told me that he'd seen my boy on KZbin and it is indeed him!! That's my Raggy - he's not a PWD but a Bergamasco Shepherd, an Italian Sheepdog 🙂

[@vansforthememories]

@@Raggyboy29 oh wow 🤩 he’s beautiful 😍 Em💛

[@Raggyboy29]

@@vansforthememories Thank you 🙂 - I think so too, but of course am just a wee bit biased...😉!

[@Farleysontour]

That’s very very funny, you took great delight in being a Twat for the day, made me laugh out loud. Very very best wishes, I really hope you achieve your goals. Still laughing

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, it was a good laugh for us too being Twatts. Comes naturally 🤣

[@michaelhamer1277]

good video guys..i live in deerness..i was probably one of the bikers you saw..there was a charity run on...

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Ah that would explain it,if I'd known we would have given you a wave 👋 👍

[@susansisk455]

Is your new bungalow on the mainland or on one of the islands? The Italian Chapel is amazing especially when you consider what they had to work with. We went to that beach to look for a particular shell. I found just one tiny tiny shell and I love it!

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It's on the mainland but Orkney now feels like a special place for us so will definitely be back.

[@fionapearson8572]

Well done guys. Really chuffed for you both x

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks so much Fiona 👍💕🐾

[@stevieeffingham9314]

Have been looking at vans and the choice is now down to a Wellhouse or Danbury. I appreciate you get a lot more bang for buck with Toyota but my only concern before I make a visit to Barnsley is relating to the downstairs bed . It looks quite narrow for two people??

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It is quite narrow but it's enough for us and we are not the skinniest people in the world. Bed is lower bed 6'2" x 3'10" and that's pretty good for a wee van but definitely try before you buy.

[@susansisk455]

Merry Christmas Wee Boon Van. Missing your vlogs!

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Susan, we have been really busy at home as you will see in our Boxing Day video. Merry Christmas to you and your family xx

[@susansisk455]

@@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot Oh dear! We don't have Boxing Day in the USA (lol). Why is it called Boxing Day? Boxing here means a sport with big gloves played in a ring.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

@@susansisk455 I had to Google it....The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants - a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters. These days its just the day after Christmas when we just lounge about doing nothing but watching telly and eating left overs 🤣

[@sesaye]

Nice one.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks sesaye 👍💕🐾

[@ralphsharp4913]

Pleased to hear your good news ..a weight of your shoulders …oh yes an excellent Video guys 👍 take care xx

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Ralph, yes it's a relief to have sold up 👍💕🐾

[@ralphsharp4913]

@@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot yes I bet it is 😀 now it’s your time to start enjoying life in your van again xx

[@stuartwrigglesworth9339]

Fantastic video

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thabks Stuart, appreciate your feedback 👍 💕🐾

[@meppy3]

Yea good video would like to go back myself was there in 2018 at the twatt twitt trott biker rally in sandwick think that's why you seen a lot of bikers . congratulations in selling your house 👍

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Greame, didn't know the bike rally was called that 🤣

[@MarkDeith]

Honourable of you, but Trice was driving so it's her fault! My wife & I were on Orkney 2 weeks ago in a campervan during a mini heatwave for the island. Much preferred the Broch of Gurness to Skara Brae, particularly as it doesn't seem to get coach parties. Hoy was amazing too. Lovely to watch on our return. Shetland next?

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Mark, we enjoyed both of them, Broch of Gurness and Skara Brae but like you, Broch edged it. We also wanted to see Maes Howe but it was fully booked. Shetland is a bit too far for this year anyway 👍💕🐾

[@stevezodiac491]

Don't get one of those folding plastic steps, my Scottish wife has broken two, even though she is so petite ? We got one of those metal tubed affairs, it even has a max weight loading written on one if it's legs, which is helpful lol.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

We had one of these plastic ones before and I flattened it, then a metal one which also collapsed. I am thinking about an old army municians box that I have somewhere, it will be bomb proof.

[@stevezodiac491]

@@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot being bomb proof may be an advantage the way things are going in Russia / Ukraine.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

@@stevezodiac491 Yep, may need to get the van armour plated.

[@hanspronk2749]

Nice vlog again . How is the old knee of Trish? We see her walking all the stairs.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Hi Hans, my knee is still quite sore but it is not as bad as it has been and I have been resting it up since we came back, thanks so much 👍💕🐾

[@angelarorie7392]

Try Highland Industrial supply for a step!

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks, will have a look👍💕🐾

[@stevewatson6066]

Morning we were wondering what drone you have we are thinking of getting one for when we are away

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Hi Steve, we use the DHI Mini 2. The mini 3 is their latest and would definitely recommend it.

[@stevewatson6066]

Thanks for getting back to us looking forward to more of your adventures we are definitely coming up to Scotland looks lovely

[@lynnlennon8212]

Hi there, good to see you back. You said that you were going to do more wild camping. I would just like to ask - do you have a porta potty and where do you store it if you do? Is it in the van or do you have a toilet tent? We would like to do more wild camping but just haven’t been able to come round to the idea of a loo in the van yet. Ours is about the same size as yours. 😊

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Hi Lynn, we have not done all that much wild camping and we do have a porta potty but it stays at home, and instead we use a bivvy loo which is much more compact.

[@lynnlennon8212]

Thank you for you reply, I have never heard of a bivvy loo before, but just looked into it. It looks ideal for us, as we don’t have a lot of room in the van and usually use campsite facilities. Sorry it was a bit of a personal question, but your reply was very helpful. I hope to see more of your travels now that you have sold your house. Good luck with the new house too. 🏡😄

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

@@lynnlennon8212 no probs, see video link for best review kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGK7lJJsgKprqNE

[@suesimpson6789]

I have a VW Trident, about the same size as Mike and Trish's van. I pee in a Covent Garden soup container, or similar, and use a small but sturdy plastic waste paper basket for poo. A friend uses a little paint kettle. Half fill with wooden cat litter pellets (for stability - send rest to Liz Truss) then line container with a big dog poo bag and voila. Have used successfully for two years now.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

@@suesimpson6789 🤣🤣🤣👍

[@manondeslauriers2645]

Great video!! What time of year were you up there?

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks Manon, that was just two weeks ago and we couldn't believe how lucky we were with the weather.

[@manondeslauriers2645]

@@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot Going next week, not sure I will be that lucky but I do not mind

[@Frustrated_Traveller]

They aren’t German battle ships from WW1, they are block ships the larger one is “The REGINALD” it was an iron schooner built in 1878.

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

Thanks for putting me right on that, I know there are lots of skuttled ww1 ships in these waters.

[@Frustrated_Traveller]

@@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot that’s around the islands of Cava, Fara and Houton waters 👍🏻 you’ll soon learn the history of Orkney… best view over that area is Scorridale

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

@@Frustrated_Traveller thanks so much, you sure know your stuff👍

[@annmanson3515]

When are going see more great content from yourselves

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

We are still busy at home but making a video about moving into the new house and it will be out near Christmas. Cute budgie, who's a pretty boy.

[@suesimpson6789]

If it makes you feel any better.....I drove over my step a month ago - can't seem to attach photo but it looked like a beheaded robot

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It's so easy done, we have not got a replacement yet. I hope you manage to get a replacement for your headless robot 🤖 🤣

[@Manyanababy]

❤❤❤

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

👍👍👍

[@janwaller3585]

❤️

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

👍💕🐾

[@scottmckenzie365]

What is your wife name as my mum come from orkney

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

It would have been Burns, her mum and dad Jimmy and Patsy

[@MartinKennedy636]

Can't you get somebody to put a pull out step on the van for you so you just get a ride to just pull it out and then push it back in when you finish with it that's what I do with my Iveco daily can I didn't have no side step in and out that the side door that somebody put one in for me

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

We spoke to Wellhouse who we got the van from and apparently there is not enough space under the van.

[@MartinKennedy636]

@@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot Thanks for you for replying back to my message after that I sent to you thank you very much for responding very quickly thank you I hope you have a great holiday where are you going in the world

[@MikeandTriciaOotnAboot]

@@MartinKennedy636 Thanks very much 👍💕🐾