Down South

Last month we left the sun in Shetland and headed south first to Aviemore for a week then Sheffield. The weather in Scotland was hot, sunny and still each day until we left, but this changed as we exchanged Aviemore for Sheffield.

                                                                                                       Carrbridge

                                                                                             Rothiemurchus Forest

This was the first time we had been back to Aviemore since 1985 and there had been a few changes. More housing had appeared to the north of the village -this is where we stayed and several camping and caravan sites had expanded.

                                                                                                      Loch Garten

We did have some excellent meals in Carrbridge and Aviemore and it was good to find a very busy Tesco with food on the shelves, something that we don't have very often in Lerwick.

                                                                    An excellent area north of Aviemore

It was odd to see so many trees, not too many in Shetland. As many Shetland's say, `we couldn't see anything for the trees' and this was true for us. It surprising how your mind alters , we would rather enjoy the open landscape that Shetland provides than the tree clad Scottish landscape and even more than the concrete jungle that Sheffield offers.

One significant change was in the Cairngorms where a funicular railway takes you to the tops at 3,500 feet. The only problem was that you couldn't go and explore unless you went on a guided walk with a ranger at a cost of £20 for a 90 min walk.

                                                                                                      Glenmore

We walked up Carn Ban More back in 1979 and found it a tough 2.5 hour trek. This took us over  snow fields and eventually lead us onto the plateau where we had superb views. Don't think my legs could have taken this so we had to be content with views of the snow covered tops form down in the glen.

                                                                                           Rothiemurchus

During our week in the Spey valley we found many photo opportunities , to see more of the wildlife visit shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk

I have now finished my website, you can now buy canvas prints at www.amazingshetland.co.uk

                                                                                                 I do like these old buildings

Mixed bag - but worth it

When you think about earth quakes you might think of San Francisco or Asia, not Shetland. In the last month or so three earth quakes have been recorded around Shetland, all at sea and nothing more that 1.8 scale. However some have hit Shetland, back in 2009 a 3.3 magnitude hit Lerwick and further north with people indicating that they heard a bang or shaking around the house.

Most earthquakes in Scotland go unnoticed about 300 occur around Britain each year and most under 2.0 magnitude.

That's nothing compared with the 6,200 earthquakes that have occurred in Iceland, since the last earthquake in 2015. Increase in activity could see the largest volcano in Iceland erupt which would be bad news for any air travellers.

The huge Baroarbunga volcano may be gearing up for an eruption although there is nothing for definite as yet, but keep an eye on this. Shetland was covered in volcanic ash when the last large Icelandic volcano erupted.

The other Sunday we managed to see a Faroes Gospel Choir which had not been to Shetland for 4 years. They arrived in a very interesting way, by ship - the Juvel 11, built in 1974, now a Faroes missionary vessel which was originally a Danish fishery protection vessel. This ship spends time up in Greenland visiting remote churches to bring the Christian message.

                                                                                                         Juvel 11

                                                                                            Scalloway Castle

Da Voar Redd Up has taken place again , Shetland people are so proud of where they live. You wouldn't get this anywhere else in the UK, this is where the communities turn out to collect rubbish by the bag full. Beaches and dykes are cleaned up by adults and children alike, most of this is windblown and washed up on our beaches.

                                                                                Scalloway Castle - whats in a name

Last year  4572 participants turned out and collected 58 tons of bruck (rubbish) 1,700 tons since it started 29 years ago in 1988. Well done to all !

Its amazing to find out that 640,000 tons of fishing gear is discarded each year, this kills 136, 000 whales and seals each year (Info Shetland Times)

                                                                               Large Oil ship in Scalloway

A number of large oil ships have been gathering in Shetland waters, especially of Gulberwick where 3 vessels are carrying pieces of oil rig for the Clare Oil field. They will be heading to a site around 40 miles west of Eshaness. This will provide 64 million barrels of oil over the next 40 years

The Shetland Adult Education photography classes have been going very well this year and I was asked to put on another course in Scalloway in late June - July, this is now full. I will be starting to run courses again from September, starting with an intermediate course, drop me a e-mail if you are interested in joining.

                                The current ` Know your own camera' course folk

Scalloway on the sunny side

Working on the west side in Scalloway gives me opportunity to explore the area.  Scalloway was the ancient capital of Shetland up to 1708, when it was transferred to Lerwick. It has a small population of around 800, smaller than Sandwick

For anyone visiting it has much to offer, including a great café the `Cornerstone' which can be found near the castle. If you go in you should see a painting of one of my photos of Scalloway castle taken during Storm Gertrude (see header)

The slipway is in constant use with many boats coming in for a service or repair, always an interesting area.

Similar to Lerwick, Scalloway has many interesting lanes to explore, and many colourful houses (above) which reminds me of Tobermory in Mull

Secured just in-case the wind blows

                                                             Interesting stone plaque depicting the theory of tidal motion

Norway House

During World War 2 Scalloway was the  base for the Shetland bus, the Norwegian resistance movement. They used small fishing boats to bring refugees from Norway to Shetland then returned with weapons and agents. All the activity took place in the middle of winter in the worst of the winter weather. Norway house was used as barracks during the campaign

                                                                                              Still used today

                                                                                   Info about the Shetland Bus

Another interesting feature of the area is the number of very mature trees, quiet a rarity in Shetland.

Please check out my other Shetland Blogs:

shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk
shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk

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.