Red Pool of Shetland & the fire

The Red pool can be seen down near Virkie and the best time to see this is July when the algae bloom is at its height.

Even from distance the red pool is very evident.

Once down at sea level the smell is very noticeable

We had a big fire in Shetland up at Brae when the Moorfield Hotel burnt to the ground, fire crews from various mainland fire stations and Sullom Voe fire crews attended but couldn't save the building

Shetland continues to keep away from the virus now 18 weeks since the last case which is good news, we are just hoping that no visitors bring in the virus. With Northlink now taking up to 50% capacity lots more people are coming to Shetland to get away from the virus. 

In fact a number of people have decided to move here to get away from the main places where the virus is spreading

One problem is that Aberdeen is in lockdown, this means people need to head straight out of Aberdeen without stopping as they leave or come to the ferry.

It has been a great spring and summer up here with very little rain, some lochs have even dried up. The heather is very purple, lots of cotton grass has been seen and wildflowers beside the road brighten up every trip.

One disappointment is that Viking Windfarm has been given the go ahead to start building the windfarm and interconnector, several other wind farms will also go ahead. Lots of protests have taken place.  We have been stitched up by the Shetland Island Council, the Shetland people have not even been asked about this massive, non green project.

The destruction of Shetland's moorland starts as Viking moves in, 9 excavators seen as we passed through the area

Phone line back up and working after being hit by lightening 

Perrie Spiggie

Peerie Spiggie is a small area to the north end of Spiggie loch. A very attractive place especially when the sun shines

Not seen the tide so low for ages so it revealed some nice features

Think its about 13 weeks since the last outbreak of the virus in Shetland and we are due to welcome visitors back into the isles next week. I am sure all the businesses will be looking forward to that.

The north end of the mainland is going through a rough time, first Scatsta airport closed and then the Moorfield Hotel with other hotels in the area already up for sale. Looks like Sumburgh may be the only place to benefit as all the oil and gas workers will not be flown out of Sumburgh airport

Maywick Beach

Good to see the shops reopening in Lerwick and soon to have hairdressers, pubs and restaurants back

The lack of tourists will certainly have a big impact this year, already a few businesses have closed down or said it will be next year before the reopen.

In a few weeks the ferries will be taking people south and although we have cancelled our trip south twice we are hoping for a late trip, not too late that we have to cope with rough seas.

Its looking likely that the Viking wind farm and interconnector will go ahead much to the dismay to numerous Shetlanders

Lots of us have put in objections to Ofgem and our only hope is that they reject the plan, even though SSE has already said they will pay £m's out the get it off the ground. This means that everyone would have to pay higher Electricity bills.

I don't want to see our beautiful landscape destroyed for a few very greedy people including a number of councillors who have pushed this through not allowing the Shetland people a vote and stopping any discussions with all the councillors, surely this cannot be right.

Anyway back to a recent walk down on Maywick beach (all photos on here) it good to get a beach to ourselves especially when you see what has happened down at Bournemouth !

You cannot help but see the great patterns caused by the wind and a stream running onto the beach

Shetland has many wide open spaces which give you a chance to see fantastic skies (See Shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk)

As we are now allowed to travel further distances we hope to explore other areas north of where we live. Its 10 weeks since any outbreaks of the virus in Shetland which is good news.