Shetland adult education classes 2015

I will be running the following Adult education classes in Lerwick (9.30- 12.30) and Sandwick School (1.45- 4.45).    

Introduction to Nature - starts 19 January for 6 weeks, course codes (AL115 Lerwick only)

Digital Photography for Beginners starts 2 March for 6 weeks, Course codes (AL116 Lerwick, AL119 Sandwick)                  

Intermediate Digital Photography starts 27 April for 6 weeks, course codes (AL117 Lerwick and AL120 Sandwick) .        

Places are limited so please book early, phone Shetland Adult Education on 01595 743888   

    

Moving on

Now that the clocks have changed the nights are quickly drawing in, even more so when the weather is poor. The sunsets have been great to watch from our living room window, even though we can only see out of one half due to still having a board in place- we may get a new window in time for Christmas if we are lucky. The position of the sunset has changed since summer, now setting further south which gives us a better view.

The gales the other day ripped our new rose bushes up so I have replanted these and tied them to the fence. With the wind normally coming in from the south west it hits the bushes but these should eventually take and start to produce flowers then rose hips next year. Force 9 gales hit again last Thursday but this time the roses stayed in place , thanks to the wire holding them in place.

We found out that the ferry that set off from Lerwick on Thursday didn't arrive in Aberdeen until 22 hours later, it should only take 12 hours. Wouldn't have liked to been on that one.

You cannot help but notice that winter is here, its turned cold, become wetter and the wind is more persistent but saying that we still have calm sunny days and its great to get out and explore a new place. We went up north to Kirkabister the other day in perfect conditions and had a different view of Lunna on the opposite shore. You have to wear wellingtons now as most of the hills hold considerable water making it difficult to walk in places.

This week we have been out most days and nights. Plenty to do if you want, with the Accoridan and Fiddle club just having restarted after half term, although we don't play its great to hear young and old alike playing some great Shetland tunes. Tuesday was a bit different with a Brass Band concert in the Town hall, it was the Lerwick Brass Band's 150 year anniversary and a great event.

As you may know November 5 was bonfire day so we went down to Sandwick Social club who put on a super bonfire and firework event, followed by drinks and burgers inside.

Then on Friday night we went to a variety concert down at Dunrossness, it just shows the great talent and community spirit that Shetland offers.

I start my new job with the RVS soon  and I cannot wait .  Having applied for over 650 jobs in Sheffield before I stopped counting, it was great to apply for a job and get a reply, never mind an interview. The good thing is that in Shetland you encounter little traffic and there is no potholes. To do a 12 mile journey it takes about 20 mins, back in Sheffield in rush hour it would take at least 1.25 hours.

I did start my own Photography & Photography Training business in 2009 which was a dream come true I worked with so many great people and always enjoy taking photographs. If you would like to see more, visit my other two blogs at:

shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk
shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk

 All went well and I was offered the job, only the second job I have applied for in Shetland, the first one with the council was only really advertised to comply with procedures as it went to an internal candidate -so not a real opportunity. Most of the work in Shetland is part time and people have a couple or three jobs making life interesting.

I will also be starting to deliver courses for Shetland Adult Education on Monday's in Lerwick (morning) & Sandwick (Afternoon) in January 2015, If any one is interested in any of the following they should contact the centre at Lovers Loan:

Phone: 01595 743888

Introduction to Nature
Digital Photography for beginners
Intermediate Digital Photography

Place are limited so book early.

Night Night

The nights are now drawing in and this has made photographing floodlit buildings in Lerwick easier. We headed down to the Mareel first and found it well lit, this and the sheltered harbour made a good place to start.

The museum is next door and while it doesn't look as impressive as the Mareel at night the reflections are still good.

The harbour wall is a good place to look further down the harbour, this time a large Oil vessel was in.

The whole place takes on a different feel at night and is worth going into town to see. To the south end of Lerwick it was good to find Clickimin Brock lit up. Its best to photograph night scenes just before it goes to a completely black sky, the blue in the sky lifts the photo.

This week we have had a few more things done on the house. Mid week we had the loft insulation topped up to 300 mm just above the recommended 270 mm for Shetland, it should make a difference in the living room once we have a new window in place which seems unlikely in the near future.

Having waited for nearly 5 weeks, new kitchen door unit hinges they turned up from the mainland on Friday and now the kitchen is complete. The severe gales the other day ripped up three new rose bushes so these are now back in place and tied down. We also received a letter from our solicitors informing us that our property has now been registered and that deeds will be held that their offices.

On Skype yesterday we found out from our friends in Sheffield that our previous house was on the market only 6 months after we sold it, they have no chain so possibly they had problems paying the mortgage and are moving back to their parents. We are just glad we managed to sell it, which did take us 18 months so good luck to them.