Up North

The Zebra has left Lerwick, this is the accommodation barge which has been in Lerwick for the past 3 years. The barge left last Thursday night in calmer conditions than the last few days with up to Gale force 9 on Tuesday. This should have been heading north to berth near Sullom Voe earlier in April but for some unknown reason was delayed.

We also headed north recently, to Nibon up on the north west mainland. This is the first visit to this highly attractive spot.

With no one else around we had the whole area to ourselves and really enjoyed it. a place we will be returning to.

This next week we will be having the new heating system installed. We hope that it takes no more than 2 days to install our new storage heaters, five in total plus a bit of other wiring. First though we have to move two very full bookcases to make room for the new heater in the living room.

We have also booked for a builder to come a rip the floor up and board it ready for the vinyl flooring. Hope that's an end to the work and spending.

It was good to hear that the Island Parish TV programme (based in Unst) is proving a great boost for the tourist industry. The Shetland Drama also proved a big hit and we have just found out they are now planning a new series.

Lambs are now being seen in the fields, its always a lot later here due to poor weather conditions. That is one big sign spring is here, the daffodils are out everywhere to add a splash of colour and the nights are getting lighter by the day.

Two years ago today.

How times flies , its been two year today since we moved to Shetland and we haven't regretted one minute. We have packed in a lot since the move, buying our house after 3 months in the isles and getting both jobs that I applied for.

                                                                                   The Swan at Scalloway

Diane has joined the SWI and Guild and enjoys the fellowship, she has also taken up playing the keyboard again and has mastered many Shetland tunes. We are getting out far more here than in Sheffield, with lots of music going on.

The oil industry has changed a lot, with a decline in demand and output. The gas plant is now up and running at Sullom Voe, although local people are concerned about the flares and gases. Lerwick has also changed with the oil decline

                                                                        Crash as a car goes over the banks at Black Gaet.

The Zebra accommodation barge which has been moored at the pier since 2013 was due to depart last week to be re allocated near to Sullom. They are still cleaning the bottom of the barge before moving it, additionally a quarter of the workforce is to be made redundant so there will be less money spent in the town.

                                                                                               Lerwick Town Hall

While this is happening the Clare Ridge oil field is nearing a start and the £4.5 m investment coming together as the drilling platforms have just left Korea and should be in Shetland waters next month.

Only a few tourists have appeared so far in Shetland but many will be descending later this month as the folk festival commences, its a sell out and we even failed to get tickets. Cruise liners should also be arriving so business are getting ready for an influx.

Our heating system should be installed in a couple of weeks, but having had superb weather over the last few weeks we may not have used this straight away. But we had snow Friday just to remind us that winter is still around the corner.

In addition to the heating we at last found someone who will replace the flooring in the kitchen and bathroom, both of which badly need the tiles replacing as they are breaking up.

                                                                           Inside the large room in the Town Hall

With it being a wooden house the floor moves more than others so it will be boarded before vinyl will be laid. I hope that will be the last thing that needs doing around the house.