One person I was talking to had to put on wellies, jacket, two pairs of trousers, gloves a hat which then had a net over it just to go out birding. Not that you would have seen much in this (winter gear) or for the thousands of black dots flying about.
While we were on holiday many years ago a Highlander said the best thing for midges was whisky, not drinking it though. Rubbing whisky on the skin, an expensive way of protection may do the trick but how would you convince the police that the reason for smelling of whisky is purely for stopping midge bites. Many would prefer to drink the whole bottle instead, the draw backs would be numerous red dots where the midges have made their mark .
Our new neighbours (well two up) appeared at the beginning of this week and set to work doing all the repairs, they have said it will take a month to complete. The paintwork and roof really need attention and guess when they this started- yes during the gale a perfect time to paint !
Shetland offers so many great locations to visit and with sometime to explore we headed out to Whiteness the other day in great weather. The sky was amazing and no one else about. Then up to Kergord, where I had a plan to photograph the road and slow sign - what do you think?
The light wasn't really good so I will be back in winter when the trees have shed their leaves.
This area is one of the few places to see trees so you do get people making a regular visit to reconnect with nature. Apart from a few calling Goldcrest I didn't come in contact with any other sounds, no cars which was a surprise but it was lunch time.
While we are fortunate to live in Shetland some of the islands are not doing so well. News that the Skerries Primary School has been mothballed following the departure of its only pupil from the isles earlier this summer can only be bad news for the island.
With very little work on the island since Bound Skerries Salmon closed down earlier last year it doesn't look good for this or any of the small islands.
The current Shetland population stands around 23,500 people and although around 500 people leave Shetland each year another 500 or so come into live. This has been fairly steady since the year 2000.
Here in Sandwick since 2002 the population has dropped by around 400 to around 970 but Lerwick again has been stable since 1981 at around 6800 people. (Shetland Statistics up to 2011). Shetland at least has the lowest unemployment in Scotland.
Please take alook at my other Shetland Photos at www.amazingshetland.co.uk
Midges, the curse of Scotland...
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are wonderfully bright and colourful, and the water clear as gin