Time
Well there are now 11 houses up for sale in our area, but only 4 like ours. Three have been sold just this last week so it seems the market is picking up, unlike the weather which still feels like winter on some days. Spring is not in the air ,Swifts that are normally back in numbers by now are in short supply and so far only a few signs of Bluebells popping up.
Feedback from people on the house has been mixed, some liking the house and not the area, some liking the area but the house is too small. Also two couple yet to give any feedback although these have seen about 20 houses and have failed to give any feedback on any. Seems they just like looking round houses.
We have jumped in and renewed our Sheffield Wednesday Season tickets, so at the back of our mind we don't think the move will be soon.
So we are ready for our holiday in Shetland soon, the car has been serviced needing only a few minor tweaks. Camera gear is ready and we are looking forward to the many photo opportunities in Shetland.
Over these last couple of weeks I have giving more talks on Shetland and they have all generated lots of questions. A few people had also seen the BBC Shetland Drama a few months ago and a few said they would like to visit Shetland at some stage in the next few years, all go to boost the tourist trade. I wonder whether the recession will hit hard this year. With the ferry costs going up it may put people off.
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Monday, 6 May 2013
This week we have had three couples round to view the house, all first time buyers. It must be hard saving for the deposit but at least the interest rate is lower now than when we first took a mortgage out back in the early 1980's when we paid 15%.
Now the football season has ended and Sheffield Wednesday have secured another season in the Championship we have to decided whether or not to renew for the new season which starts in August. I have had one since the 1967 season so it will be a wrench not seeing the Owls in action. Our neighbor's have blown it again having lost in the Play offs to Yeovil, so that's one less local derby. So its whether we will still be here when the season kicks off, looking at it realistically I think we will chance getting one.
Shetland is blessed with many great musicians, the very young to the very old. The fiddle playing where ever it is is worth going to and we make as many attempts to hear it as possible when we visit, whether its the Shetland Fiddlers or the young groups. We are looking forward to going to the Shetland folk festival when we move up to Shetland, which is on at the moment, with visiting players from all aver the place.
Its not for the first time that I have been asked whether I work for the Shetland tourist board. I have been giving illustrated talks on Shetland for many years to the RSPB, wildlife Groups , Probus, Women's WI and others and its possible that my enthusiasm for Shetland is transmitted via the talks. Anyone listening from the tourist board please note, i am open to job offers !!
Tourist Board on left
Now the football season has ended and Sheffield Wednesday have secured another season in the Championship we have to decided whether or not to renew for the new season which starts in August. I have had one since the 1967 season so it will be a wrench not seeing the Owls in action. Our neighbor's have blown it again having lost in the Play offs to Yeovil, so that's one less local derby. So its whether we will still be here when the season kicks off, looking at it realistically I think we will chance getting one.
Shetland is blessed with many great musicians, the very young to the very old. The fiddle playing where ever it is is worth going to and we make as many attempts to hear it as possible when we visit, whether its the Shetland Fiddlers or the young groups. We are looking forward to going to the Shetland folk festival when we move up to Shetland, which is on at the moment, with visiting players from all aver the place.
Its not for the first time that I have been asked whether I work for the Shetland tourist board. I have been giving illustrated talks on Shetland for many years to the RSPB, wildlife Groups , Probus, Women's WI and others and its possible that my enthusiasm for Shetland is transmitted via the talks. Anyone listening from the tourist board please note, i am open to job offers !!
Sunday, 28 April 2013
This week news seems to have managed to get round to the other estate agents that our house has been up for sale for 12 weeks. As a result we have been swamped with letters from the other estate agents claiming that they could sell our house, no problem and we should move to them as soon as possible. We even received two from companies saying that they would buy our house now for £25,000 less than the asking price. One surprise was that even the estate agent that we are using at present sent us a letter saying they could sell the house quicker than the current one - they are the current one don't they even check !!!!!!!!
Here in Sheffield it seems that war has broken out again in one part of the city. Three houses were petrol bombed, one family climbing out to safety through the bedroom window. -possibly mistaken identity, two shootings and one stabbing which all may be drug related. Cannot wait to get away.
Our cat Furbie will have to contend with a lot when we move. He doesn't travel well, is very nervous and jumps at any loud sound, so the ferry trip won't be on his favourites list. He will also be surprised that suddenly , the sparrows have grown into big white things call Gulls. He is white too so he may think he can fly.
Furbie
Herring Gull
We have at last chosen an internet provider, this will be Plus Net a Sheffield company. After looking at Shetlink and seeing many replies on the subject this company seems the best option. I know a couple of people who work there and they seem happy enough, customer service is free and based in Sheffield.
Here in Sheffield it seems that war has broken out again in one part of the city. Three houses were petrol bombed, one family climbing out to safety through the bedroom window. -possibly mistaken identity, two shootings and one stabbing which all may be drug related. Cannot wait to get away.
Our cat Furbie will have to contend with a lot when we move. He doesn't travel well, is very nervous and jumps at any loud sound, so the ferry trip won't be on his favourites list. He will also be surprised that suddenly , the sparrows have grown into big white things call Gulls. He is white too so he may think he can fly.
We have at last chosen an internet provider, this will be Plus Net a Sheffield company. After looking at Shetlink and seeing many replies on the subject this company seems the best option. I know a couple of people who work there and they seem happy enough, customer service is free and based in Sheffield.
Friday, 12 April 2013
You have to be kidding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No further movement on our house, but at least the estate agents have given us a free advert in the local paper, which is out today. Will still have one advert left as part of our package but will leave this until the end of the month. We found out last week that some friends who have been trying to sell their house since late 2011 have just been offered £36,000 less than the asking price of £186,000. Now I could understand that on a house at £500,000 but not one of that price, its a buyers market at present but we will only accept a reasonable price as will still have to buy another house in Shetland.
At present there are still no houses we would have gone for in Shetland, having just gone through all the estate agents websites earlier today. So its all down to timing, something that our builders no nothing about as we are still waiting for some written guarantees which we requested weeks ago.
This could be our next house
With our holiday in Shetland booked we just cannot wait to get back and start putting a few things into place. Serco the ferry owners have come under some recent flak, having reduced the periods and discounts to islanders and increased prices generally. This may put people off going to Shetland, and the islands rely heavily on tourism.
One thing that has gone in Shetland's favor was the recent announcement that the BBC are planning further episodes of the drama on Shetland that attracted over 12 million viewers. That's great news but I do hope they show more of the superb landscape and make sure that more people in the drama have Shetland dialects.
Clikimin Brock on the outskirts of Lerwick
No further movement on our house, but at least the estate agents have given us a free advert in the local paper, which is out today. Will still have one advert left as part of our package but will leave this until the end of the month. We found out last week that some friends who have been trying to sell their house since late 2011 have just been offered £36,000 less than the asking price of £186,000. Now I could understand that on a house at £500,000 but not one of that price, its a buyers market at present but we will only accept a reasonable price as will still have to buy another house in Shetland.
At present there are still no houses we would have gone for in Shetland, having just gone through all the estate agents websites earlier today. So its all down to timing, something that our builders no nothing about as we are still waiting for some written guarantees which we requested weeks ago.
With our holiday in Shetland booked we just cannot wait to get back and start putting a few things into place. Serco the ferry owners have come under some recent flak, having reduced the periods and discounts to islanders and increased prices generally. This may put people off going to Shetland, and the islands rely heavily on tourism.
One thing that has gone in Shetland's favor was the recent announcement that the BBC are planning further episodes of the drama on Shetland that attracted over 12 million viewers. That's great news but I do hope they show more of the superb landscape and make sure that more people in the drama have Shetland dialects.
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Shetland no Gamble !!
I was asked recently whether going to Shetland to live was a gamble, and the answer was a definite NO. We don't consider this is a gamble because we have spent time, over the past two years, reducing our risk. We have been to Shetland many times since 1987, know where we would like to live, know some people, know the terrain, know about the forthcoming changes imposed by the council cuts and know something about the weather.
Shetland is NO gamble
Now most people don't even know where Shetland is located, it is not in a box situated off the west coast of Scotland. It is the furthest north you can go in the British Isles. It is closer to Norway than Aberdeen, it is made up of over 100 islands, of which only 15 are inhabited. Most of the place names are Norwegian and it has a feeling of being abroad. The weather is possibly the biggest influence of the islands, with days of gales, rough seas but also less snow than on mainland Britain and less frost.
For us it's the draw of the sea, the superb wildlife and scenery, the dark nights are an attraction rather than a hindrance as the stars are clearer with less light pollution and off cause we would love to see the Aurora , a thing that most people would like to see. As a photographer its the endless photo opportunities during all the seasons and a chance to see bird migration in full swing.
The community in Shetland is second to none, a thing that seems to have been lost in other parts. No crime to talk about, a newspaper( Shetland Times) that is worth reading and reflects what is happening around the islands, the music bellowing from the halls and bars and Up Helly Ha during the winter months.
So unlike a lot of people that seem to move to Shetland without even going to check it out at least we have done a lot of spade work. We do have a tricky period from selling our house , to renting somewhere in Shetland until a house comes up for sale in the area we want. But it is worth doing, people always say you regret the things you don't do , so we have made the decision and are looking forward to it.
Derbyshire and the Peak Park
Our only problem is when it will happen, we are trying to speed things up and today reduced the price of our house so we hope that will encourage people to come an view and also put a bid in. The housing market seems to be picking up with new houses going on sale all the time, several new ones in our area in recent weeks.
Chatsworth
We have a good number of scenic places close by in Sheffield, with Peak District the obvious choice when we are going out, however it is considered the busiest National Park in Europe so it will be good to get back to Shetland to find some peace.
Unst
I was asked recently whether going to Shetland to live was a gamble, and the answer was a definite NO. We don't consider this is a gamble because we have spent time, over the past two years, reducing our risk. We have been to Shetland many times since 1987, know where we would like to live, know some people, know the terrain, know about the forthcoming changes imposed by the council cuts and know something about the weather.
Now most people don't even know where Shetland is located, it is not in a box situated off the west coast of Scotland. It is the furthest north you can go in the British Isles. It is closer to Norway than Aberdeen, it is made up of over 100 islands, of which only 15 are inhabited. Most of the place names are Norwegian and it has a feeling of being abroad. The weather is possibly the biggest influence of the islands, with days of gales, rough seas but also less snow than on mainland Britain and less frost.
For us it's the draw of the sea, the superb wildlife and scenery, the dark nights are an attraction rather than a hindrance as the stars are clearer with less light pollution and off cause we would love to see the Aurora , a thing that most people would like to see. As a photographer its the endless photo opportunities during all the seasons and a chance to see bird migration in full swing.
The community in Shetland is second to none, a thing that seems to have been lost in other parts. No crime to talk about, a newspaper( Shetland Times) that is worth reading and reflects what is happening around the islands, the music bellowing from the halls and bars and Up Helly Ha during the winter months.
So unlike a lot of people that seem to move to Shetland without even going to check it out at least we have done a lot of spade work. We do have a tricky period from selling our house , to renting somewhere in Shetland until a house comes up for sale in the area we want. But it is worth doing, people always say you regret the things you don't do , so we have made the decision and are looking forward to it.
Our only problem is when it will happen, we are trying to speed things up and today reduced the price of our house so we hope that will encourage people to come an view and also put a bid in. The housing market seems to be picking up with new houses going on sale all the time, several new ones in our area in recent weeks.
We have a good number of scenic places close by in Sheffield, with Peak District the obvious choice when we are going out, however it is considered the busiest National Park in Europe so it will be good to get back to Shetland to find some peace.
Sunday, 24 March 2013
Is it me ?
I was lost but now I have been found, or that's how I feel . Since my passport expired last July I haven't had any photo ID, so rather than waste money on a new passport I went for photo ID driving licence and it came on Friday. So as I didn't know who I was until it came and other people refused to believe who i claimed to be, all is well as the photo looks like me. But is the mirror telling me the truth ?
This will now satisfy the solicitors and all we need to do is take our proof down, however we are still waiting for a letter from our builders to verify / guarantee some work we previously had done. So the wait continues.
The snowy weather does not help, or encourage people to come a view houses. Other than a viewing last weekend from a very rude family who couldn't be bothered to answer any of our questions and continually spoke in their own language despite all speaking English when we first met them, we have decided to wait until after Easter before we place our last paid advert in the Sheffield Telegraph.
Sheffield snow bound
Despite the lack of movement on our house I did see another house close by had just sold subject to contract after 18 months. Hope we don't have to wait that long. To keep us going we have just booked a trip to Shetland in a few months, ferry and cottage all confirmed. It will be good to see our good friends, Beryl and Maurice who have been very good at keeping us supplied with information
Maurice and my wife Diane
I was lost but now I have been found, or that's how I feel . Since my passport expired last July I haven't had any photo ID, so rather than waste money on a new passport I went for photo ID driving licence and it came on Friday. So as I didn't know who I was until it came and other people refused to believe who i claimed to be, all is well as the photo looks like me. But is the mirror telling me the truth ?
This will now satisfy the solicitors and all we need to do is take our proof down, however we are still waiting for a letter from our builders to verify / guarantee some work we previously had done. So the wait continues.
The snowy weather does not help, or encourage people to come a view houses. Other than a viewing last weekend from a very rude family who couldn't be bothered to answer any of our questions and continually spoke in their own language despite all speaking English when we first met them, we have decided to wait until after Easter before we place our last paid advert in the Sheffield Telegraph.
Despite the lack of movement on our house I did see another house close by had just sold subject to contract after 18 months. Hope we don't have to wait that long. To keep us going we have just booked a trip to Shetland in a few months, ferry and cottage all confirmed. It will be good to see our good friends, Beryl and Maurice who have been very good at keeping us supplied with information
Maurice and my wife Diane
Thursday, 14 March 2013
BBC drama on Shetland
Well last weekend saw the above programme drama on Shetland, and while I thought the plot was slow and showed many inaccuracies i hope at least some of the points came over. It was a shame that more Shetland ascents were not used, but Shetland does have a large number of people speaking in other Scottish dialects. Also I was disappointed that as it was set in January, that the weather was not more stormy. As the main detective went back and forth over to Bressay, stood out on the back of the ferry, would he have done this on a true January day?
The filming possibly took place in July when filming could be done for 11 hours not the 3-4 hours actually present on a January day, and when generally the weather is drier.
For anyone knowing Shetland some of the locations used were not accurate, but never the less it did show off some of the spectacular scenery found in the isles.
Also it did highlight the 'Shetland Bus' story, which I am sure would not really be known outside Shetland. The brave Norwegian fishermen going back and forth bringing people from occupied Norway to Shetland and taking supplies etc back over during the winter months.
Lunna House
Flemington House (Kergord)
The original location for the Shetland bus headquarters was up at Lunna House, later moving to Flemington
( Kergord) and finally ending up on the east coast at Dinapore house in Scalloway.
Dinapore House , Scalloway
Many local people still have strong memories of the conflict and a few years ago a memorial was erected in Scalloway for the 44 crew members who died. The new museum in Scalloway is the best place to find out about the Shetland Bus and of course you can read Peter Howarth's book on the story, he was part of the Royal Navy who organised the 198 trips to Norway bringing back 373 refugees and sending out 193 Agents the other way.
As regards our move, not much happened recently, had another two couples viewing the house, but still no offers. It's a waiting game.
Well last weekend saw the above programme drama on Shetland, and while I thought the plot was slow and showed many inaccuracies i hope at least some of the points came over. It was a shame that more Shetland ascents were not used, but Shetland does have a large number of people speaking in other Scottish dialects. Also I was disappointed that as it was set in January, that the weather was not more stormy. As the main detective went back and forth over to Bressay, stood out on the back of the ferry, would he have done this on a true January day?
The filming possibly took place in July when filming could be done for 11 hours not the 3-4 hours actually present on a January day, and when generally the weather is drier.
For anyone knowing Shetland some of the locations used were not accurate, but never the less it did show off some of the spectacular scenery found in the isles.
Also it did highlight the 'Shetland Bus' story, which I am sure would not really be known outside Shetland. The brave Norwegian fishermen going back and forth bringing people from occupied Norway to Shetland and taking supplies etc back over during the winter months.
The original location for the Shetland bus headquarters was up at Lunna House, later moving to Flemington
( Kergord) and finally ending up on the east coast at Dinapore house in Scalloway.
Many local people still have strong memories of the conflict and a few years ago a memorial was erected in Scalloway for the 44 crew members who died. The new museum in Scalloway is the best place to find out about the Shetland Bus and of course you can read Peter Howarth's book on the story, he was part of the Royal Navy who organised the 198 trips to Norway bringing back 373 refugees and sending out 193 Agents the other way.
Don't think they will have used this Shetland bus stop in Baltasound, Unst
As regards our move, not much happened recently, had another two couples viewing the house, but still no offers. It's a waiting game.
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