May in Shetland

This week has been very changeable, anything from snow, hail, heavy rain, sun and cold temperatures

The cloud formations at anytime of year add a lot to any photo, the one above looking east towards Bressay

 Looking north towards Littleness at Spiggie

The croft above had just delivered 20 lambs today but this little one only 2 hours old felt the cold until it gained some body heat

Also lots of Shetland Pony foals especially in south mainland

 Had a trip north to Voe, cut short with heavy rain but managed to have a walk through the village

 Interesting to see all the mussel shells on top of an overturned boat

 A view of Scalloway, a regular view on my way to work each morning

This month, on the 17 May 2019 is Norwegian day and a large crowd always gathers for a service to remember the Shetland Bus men that lost their lives during WW2

 Shetland Bus memorial, Main Street , Scalloway

 This building at Twageos in Lerwick may be familiar, it was used as a B&B in the recent BBC1 Shetland drama. This is actually South Ness House built in 1902 and is now up for sale at £525,000

 Always worth stopping to look at the seas at Reawick, the seas are absolutely stunning

 Dramatic skies over Scatness as a storm approaches in May

Jarlsoff, a very popular destination with tourists

Why not have a look at my other sites

Blogs

www.shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk

www.shetlandsfp.blosgpot.co.uk

www.ww2preserved.blosgpot.co.uk

and my website selling Canvas  prints

www.amazingshetland.co.uk

#amazingshetland, #shetlandsky, #shetlanddream,#shetlandsfp, #jarlsoff, #Scatness, #Shetland lambs, #BBC1 shetland drama, #South Ness House, #Lerwick

Burgi Iron Age Fort

After having temps of 14 degrees earlier in the week this weekend has gone very cold and down to 3 degrees with occasional snow and hail showers with strong winds

If you walk out from Scatness to Burgi, you have an easy walk for most of the way. There is plenty to look at with many Second World War remains and lochs holding many birds

Looking west from Burgi as the Norrona heads north from Norway to Iceland, now it no longer calls in Shetland which is a great shame

The Iron Age Fort at Burgi

Looking south east towards Sumburgh Head

Remains of the Fort

The Fort is about 1 mile SW of Scatness carpark, on flat ground for the most although you will have to go along a rocky area using a metal chain for support. Its well worth the trip at any time of year.

Looking back towards Scatness

I now have my Canvas and mounted prints for sale in Hoswick visitors centre which has just reopened after a major refurbishment. See www.amazingshetland.co.uk

#amazing shetland canvas prints, #Hoswick visitor centre, # Burgi, #Shetland, #Scatness, #Norrona,#www.amazingshetland.co.uk

Less space for Shetland travellers

We received our islander travel vouchers early this year and booked straight away for our trip later in the year to Sheffield. Demand for places are expected to be high after the government announced a reduction in fares for passengers and cars but not cabins.

In addition to this the cargo which used to be shipped south by a separate ship will now go on the ferry making less space available. So if you are coming to Shetland book early.

The weather this winter has been the worse in the last 20 years, plenty of ice about and more snow than we have witnessed since we moved here nearly 4 years ago. The wind has been stronger as well with a few Hurricanes and sever gales to contend with.

This winter has seen more visitors coming to Shetland than normal, with some coming to see the Up Helly aa festivals and combining this with the occasional Aurora sighting, although we are approaching a solar minimum (see shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk ) and Shetland Aurora Hunter on facebook for more information

The BBC drama ` Shetland' started on Tuesday 13 February and everyone that we know has been talking about it, having drawn over 4million viewers its proving very popular, Coronation Street only draws about 5.5 Million visitors.

Many Norwegians came here last summer to see the house that ` Jimmy Perez' is living in and as they knew that part of this series was based in Norway.

Part of this series is  also based a short distance from where we live, this time in Fladdibister a few miles north.

We like winter, the skies and seas  are dramatic the weather embracing. Often you can walk a beach without seeing anyone and places like Jarlshof or Scatness empty apart from the odd person studying for their tourist guide badge.

Our car broke down the last weekend and we called the breakdown service (Lucky we manage to get a phone signal), we know every organisation uses Jim's garage so having used them once before we were in good hands. We got the car going (Flat battery) and the following day we went to the Kia garage but they had to order a new battery and as yet we are still waiting for the replacement.

According to a few people we know in the car trade, they often fit reconditioned batteries rather than new, so no wonder they only last a few years. One friend has had two batteries in four years so it doesn't give you much confidence, and its not confined to just a couple of car dealerships.

If you are moving to Shetland its worth making sure you are on Vodaphone, they seem to have the best coverage, unfortunately, our problems didn't stop at a broken down car, i also lost our phone.

Our power costs have increased this year despite moving provider, with no mains gas its either down to electric, oil or solid fuel. The standing charge is double what we paid for electric in Sheffield. Another cost that is going up is the rates, an increase of 3% and it seems that petrol will continue to rise as well, currently at £1.26 per litre. So don't forget to take all these extra costs into account.

There are many compensations with lots to see, great wildlife and scenery, superb night skies, lots of music nights either to play at our just go and listen and of course lots of 8 o 'clocks (Cakes etc).

Winter is also a time i give most of my talks and in a couple of weeks i will be giving talks to the WI in Bixter (West mainland) and Sandwick, both on birds/ Wildlife and then we will be given a talk on Shetland at St Augustine's church in Sheffield on the 26 June- all welcome.

I am hoping to have my Canvas prints back up for sale at Hoswick Visitors centre next week after they have finished painting the rooms. Also tomorrow i will be giving an interview to Shetland Life on why Shetland is so good for photography and how to improve your camera skills.