Shetland exposed

We have been going through a quiet period of weather with some fine sunny still days and nights, however that all changed today with wind speeds picking up to Force 6-7

I like going out in winter, the cloud formations are always great to see and they are always changing, some very dramatic

Not many people out last weekend but they missed out with these sunrays taken looking west from West Voe at Sumburgh

Its been a sad day for us when we  had to put our cat Furbie to sleep, we had him nearly 18 years and he was much loved and will be missed greatly. He never enjoyed travelling so when we moved to Shetland we were pleased to find no other cats or dogs in the pens on the Ferry car deck

The Scalloway Vets were excellent throughout and we would highly recommend them.

Sun shinning on Cunningsburgh, a day later we had our first snow and found pavements covered here. It always seems to be worse for snow and ice than Sandwick just up the hill

Looking across to Mousa early morning

The Royal Mail is very busy as expected at this time of year but people are always surprised how quick we get mail at anytime of year, much quicker than when we were down in Sheffield. Amazon is very well used, is there anything they don't sell?

Quarff

Looking South to Sumburgh from Clumlie area

Scalloway in the winter sun

Just a few places left on the Get to know your own Camera course and Digital 2 photography course which I run at Islesburgh, Lerwick message me for further details

visitors

Over the past few years we have had a number of friends and family visit us in Shetland and they have gone away wanting more. Shetland seems to get under your skin and a quick return is always on the cards

Next few from the Sumburgh area

Jim, Diane & Pat on a visit a few weeks ago

Stone age women discovered at Sumbugh

A lovely wooden bench at Hillswick

Open air concerts possible at Hillswick

The Minions make a visit to Shetland

Another interesting visitor

Filming has again taken place in Lerwick during the past few days for the BBC Shetland Drama and they had superb weather yet again, cannot wait for it to start.

I am delivering a photography course for Mind your Head, a mental health awarness charity next week in Lerwick and are looking forward to meeting everyone

Snowy times in Shetland

Its been a snowy icy week difficult driving conditions and a fair number of accidents including one person knocked down in Lerwick and a large articulated lorry jack-knifed hitting a car with both ending up in the ditch.

Blue Door Scalloway

After it stopped snowing the weather settled and we had some nice sunny still days although it was still cold. This year has been the coldest in Shetland for over 20 years with -5 recorded + wind chill.

                                                                       Looking north from Sumburgh

The Gritters have been out in force and have had a further ship full of grit and salt delivered to Scalloway. Like most places the gritters have been given names including Sir saats a lot, Gritty, gritty bang, bang & Mr Plough.

                                                     Clearing snow and ice from Sumburgh runway

                                                                                  Looking towards Scatness

                                              WW2 buildings at the north end of Sumburgh airport

                                      We have been treated to some superb sunrises, this one over Mousa

                                                                                      Sweening , near Vidlin

                                                             Looking out into Sandwick from our living room window

It was surprising how quick everything cleared, it turned to rain on Sunday and the temperature increased and by Monday all the white stuff had gone.

We are all gearing up for next weeks Up Helly Aa in Lerwick, its been a few years since we have been up to watch the procession due to the bad weather, hopefully this year things will be better. We are also going to see the Up Helly Aa concert featuring Brian and Maggie on the Monday.

People thing this event is all about the tourists but this is totally wrong, Shetlanders look forward to it all year. Its a great privilege to get chosen as Jarl, often the person has to wait 15 years for his turn and he need all this time to safe up enough money to pay for everything.

This time of year is also good to see the Aurora, for more information go onto facebook and join Shetland Aurora Hunter

Second Christmas day in Shetland

We survived Storm Barbara and Conor together with a few severe Gales, but several houses close by sustained damage mostly slates off but next doors also had there shed roof ripped off and some landed in the middle of the road

Looking at the houses across the field a couple have lost several slates and these have ended up in our garden and next doors. Several years ago the Hurricanes got so bad that some slates flew through windows and embedded themselves in the living room walls. Thank goodness no one was injured, that shows the power of the wind

Some people also lost power for four / five hours on Christmas day including our friends who ended up cooking Christmas dinner for 18 more or less in the microwave (They had a generator that managed the TV and lights)

Our cancelled Christmas eve meal at Sumburgh took place on New Years eve and we ended up with far better fireworks than London or Edinburgh as an Aurora display took place, many people watched this on Shetland webcam 3

We only managed to get out once in perfect weather then it was back to gales again, you have to make the most of any decent weather. We decided to walk along the coast just south of Sumburgh hotel, one we have not done for a long time (Hence photos)

The Julian Calender which is used by the people of Foula enabled us to celebrate a second Christmas day today, our cat Furbie was well impressed as he had more Chicken. In Unst a while ago, Baltasound and Uyeasound both had different Christmas's and they are only 5 miles apart

Next week we start Up Helly Aa, the first will take place in Scalloway on 13 January with the big one in Lerwick Tuesday 31 January (worth watching on www.shetland.org) , There will not be any postponement due to the weather

see more photos at www.amazingshetland.co.uk

and join our new facebook group Shetland Aurora Hunter - just send me a request to join