Shetland Snow in May

Now that I have retired it seems strange that we cannot get out more but with this virus we are staying safe.

Could have new jobs as bank robbers!

 Our planned holiday is cancelled but at least we are keeping in touch with people with Skype when the laptop works.

Sandwick

I am now on my third laptop in the last two weeks, the first two had microphone problems and the current one is ok at the moment but seems to be getting very hot, a common problem with Dell computers

At least I am getting out for a walk most days, even during the early part of this week with the unusual snow showers.

We are very lucky to have 5 beaches within reach but one is just not possible at the moment as we would need to drive to it. To see more check out shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk.

Local Shetland walk

We are very lucky living in Shetland, we don't have to go far to find a wide open space with plenty of interested

I took my one hour walk from home in glorious sunshine, which has been out in clear skies since last Friday. It was very calm as well, very unusual for this time of year.

At the top of our road you can look east over farmland then across Mousa sound to Mousa its self.

Plenty of lambs to look at, always a pleasure to see, some in little plastic jackets. I wonder if they can come up with something else to use, it needs to be cheap, warm and waterproof. I could see a few coming loose and they will end in the sea.

Looking down to Sandsayre the sea was blue, the sky was blue it was just magic.

Only a few gulls on the sea but two Common seals could be seen on the jetty and they didn't want to move as they sunbathed unconcerned.

Lots of Starling, sparrow and Twite singing away. Passing Sand Lodge the landscape became more rough with unimproved grassland although a digger had been cutting channels in what is always a marshy area, just wondering whether the wader population will suffer.

I only saw two dog walkers the whole time i was out, so it would seem people are keeping at home. Lets hope this virus goes as quick as it came, it will be good to venture further a field in Shetland.

Storm Dennis

Its been a stormy winter so far with Storm Dennis the last to pass through Shetland, Force 11 winds at 68mph recorded in south mainland.

Lots of rain and hail as well but nothing like its been like down in England and Wales. Not been able to get out a lot since Christmas due to illness but this Sunday managed to get down to see a few waves .

These waves crashing high above the cliffs at Scatness, just a few people braving the conditions.

On the Monday it was much quieter with less rain so after delivering a photography course on Black & White photography I ventured into Lerwick

 The Queens hotel is still up for sale and has been closed for about 6  months, no doubt a lot of damp inside with waves crashing up against the walls.

 Must tell Jimmy Perez to take down his 3 Christmas trees. The BBC drama- Shetland will be back for a new series next year. Filming starts soon

Always lots of photo opportunities down the old part of Lerwick

why not check out my other Shetland blogs
shetland.sky.blogspot.co.uk
shetlandsfp.blospot.co.uk
ww2preserved.blogspot.co.uk

and join Shetland Aurora Hunter on facebook

Storm Brendan hits Shetland

Better later than never

Storm Brendan hit Shetland around lunch time on Monday 13 January with the worst of the weather arriving late Monday night.

Both the Lerwick - Aberdeen and all inter island ferries were cancelled and on Tuesday the North link ferry set off 2 hours late, at 9pm

For anyone living on an island winter weather can be very disruptive, no ferries mean no food arriving and going round Tesco's can be a very quick trip with empty shelves.

On Tuesday morning, we woke to find a wheelbarrow and a trampoline in the field in front on the house. Some people never learn.

I headed up to Eshaness around 10am on Monday just as the wind was picking up, the light was looking good with the sun coming out.

Passing the Drongs, the light shone down in shafts creating a nice orange over the rock sculptures. It was disappointing to find that at Dore Holm the sea was calm.

I headed up to Eshaness where the sea was getting rough and it continued to get better around lunch time just as I had to leave.