South

It's been awhile since my last blog, all down to going back to Sheffield for a break, i will not say a holiday as we consider we are on holiday every day in Shetland.

It seemed odd that we only had to travel for 20 mins until we hit the port in Lerwick. We got stopped just after getting our tickets as security wanted to check whether we had any illegals in the back of the car. We quickly pointed out, why would anyone want to leave Shetland permanently !

                                                                             Looking towards Queens Hotel in Lerwick

The crossing was calm and as we entered Aberdeen we found it was fog bound. It wasn't long until we hit our first traffic jam just before the main road. I can understand why some Shetland folk don't want to drive on the Scottish mainland, after all there are traffic jams, lots of traffic lights, pothole, air pollution, roundabouts and people cutting you up + roadworks- its much better being on the Shetland roads.

After stopping in busy Jedburgh we continued past Newcastle down the A1 then the M1 into more roadworks where they are creating smart motorways - one without cars we don't think so ! Only held up by two crashes so it took around 8 hours including breaks before arriving at Diane's sisters.

We had to create a timetable of who we were visiting when, careful not to miss anyone out. That meant two visits per day in the afternoon and evening, but one full day down in Shrewsbury and a day shopping.

                                                                                                    Last cruise ship for 2015

In between I managed to give a talk `A year in Shetland' to a group of over 30 people, everyone seem to enjoy it and i was asked to do another on our next visit.

We did manage to get to one Sheffield Wednesday match which they lost 1-3 to Middlesboro, no change there then. It was good to see the new ground improvements and scoreboard. With the amount of money they have spent on the team I hope we see some improvement fast.

The journey back was ok , with no held ups. However the ferry trip proved rough with a Force 7-8, so we had to retire to our cabin early

While it was good to see everyone we are glad to be back in Shetland, one thing this visit to Sheffield did was to reaffirm that we made the right decision to move to Shetland 17 months ago.

                                                                                               Family in Shrewsbury

Quickly we settled back into a Shetland routine, with plenty of music throughout this last week. Ness accordion & Fiddle group, Shetland Fiddlers, and the Asta music group. Thursday proved very good for aurora activity (shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk)

I start delivering photography courses for Shetland Adult Education very soon. Just a couple of places left on `Know your own camera' which starts on the 21 September 2015  (6 weeks) 9.30-12.30   phone 01595 743888 as soon as possible.

If you are interested in intermediate photography courses then the first of these starts on Monday 9 November (6 weeks) 9.30-12.30 - Outdoor portraits, Seascapes, Still life, Birds in Flight, Low Light, Night Sky

Yell

For many people Yell is a place to drive through on the way to Unst. The road from the ferry passes the west side, virtually a straight road north. It does pass several interesting places if you have time to take a detour.

Westsandwick beach is superb with parking nearby. A good place for Otters and a paddle.

Yell in fact is the largest of the north isles with a population of around 900 people, most on the eastside. The normal pre wedding advertising above.

Although it looks uninteresting due to a peat dominated landscape , it needs closer inspection. The White Wife (upper) really stands out at Otterswick. This is the figure head from a German Training Ship, wrecked on 26 April 1924. Four died from a crew of 38

Like most places in Shetland ruined crofts can be found throughout the island, they always make for a interesting photo, although its also sad that people have left the island or they may have built a new house nearby

                                                                                       Westsandwick beach

We have spent many nights in B&B since 1987 so know many of Yell's secrets but we still have many to discover. Our next visit will be soon and we hope to take in Breckon sands and revisit the Catalina crash site.

Back in Lerwick it came as no surprise that the council had messed up again , this time with the new helipad at Clickimin. Would you believe that the new helipad is too small, so they have now agreed to extend the site.

This will come as good news to the local footballers as last week a football match had to be delayed for 40 mins while the helicopter  landed on the pitch. This happens on a regular basis , but for genuine need of emergency treatment. However it's not as simple as leaving the pitch, the goal posts have to be removed, owing to the down blast from chopper.

People are then transferred to the Gilbert Bain hospital, a short distance away. However the local residents are not happy at all as the site is very close to their homes.

Its now been a year since we moved into our house and it's passed so quick. We have done a lot of work in that time, removing the solid fuel burner and chimney, two new doors put in, bathroom sorted out and bath plumbed in, external house walls painted and some internal. The long standing window saga in which we had to wait six months to replace the frame and glass when the original one was broken when we had to bring the furniture through the opening, stands out.

                                                                         Our first day with the window already broken

We are still waiting for a new sink and worktops, this started 2 months ago, all the items have been received by the joiner but he has been too busy with external work, just waiting for a few poor days to get it done. It shows we have had a reasonable summer, even some of the lochs are drying up.

                                                 Great view now even better now we have two windows to look through

Finally we have someone to paint our roof, at only 1/4 of the cost of the last quote and will actually be doing far more than the roof and hopefully start in next three - four weeks.

Bressay

Recently we have been getting around a few of the islands that we haven't visited for a few years. This weekend it was Bressay , well in fact this was the second visit of the week.

Only 5 mins from Lerwick this island has a population of around 360 but with little work available many have to travel the short distance back to the mainland. This aging population will no doubt reduce substantially within the next 20 years and then it may become another Foula, Fetlar, Fair isle or Papa Stour which have advertised for more people to come and live.

On farmer i was talking to said it would help if they put an early ferry on which would allow people to travel up to Sullom Voe for a 7.00 am start. Another topic of conversation was the poor summer, he complained that the oats had only grown to half the size they were last year. Its hard work being a farmer / crofter here in Shetland, the weather always being a problem, except for an exceptionally good summer last year which seem to go on and on.

He was renting land but from who, all I could see was nine deserted crofts, people left some 30 years ago. More evidence was on the beach with many rusting chains which had been used to tie up small open fishing boats many years ago.

On many hills WW2 lookout posts can be seen, and on two eastern side hills WW1 guns still exist together with many more deserted crofts. Most folk shoot over to the far side of the island wanting to get over to Noss and therefore miss the delights of Bressay. From the west side of Bressay you get a good view of Lerwick and all the sea traffic

The north link ferry has been in the news twice recently. On one occasion the ferry had to take action to avoid hitting the Herakles which was in the main shipping lane, then last Wednesday night the autopilot failed (14 seconds) resulting in a large roll where people commented that they thought it was going to capsize. Both these incident covered by Shetland News. We are hoping for a safe calm crossing when we go on holiday .

Last night was the final concert of Fiddle Frenzy and it was a superb evening at the Mareel. Much more music to come over the next few weeks with Maggie and Brian at the Shetland showcase tomorrow, Shetland Fiddle society on Wednesday, then the Asta music group on Thursday. I am also organising a variety concert for the Royal Voluntary Service which will take place in September, so its all go.

Up North

Shetland has so many great places to visit. Although we have been coming here for nearly 30 years there are still many little gems to visit. Some people don't like going back to the same place twice as they think that the second time will be a disappointment - this definitely doesn't apply to Shetland

I like going back to places time and time again. I always find something new to see whether its the light that reveals a hidden part, or the wildlife which is constantly changing.

Shetland offers the old and new, often mixed close together. A bit of decay adds interest and as a photographer it's these little bits of detail creates a great photo

People really are creative, the sign posts below are splendid and intriguing, obviously make by visitors from different parts of the world that have been lured to Shetland. Once you have been , Shetland gets in your blood and you must come back time and time again.

Sitting on a beach somewhere has never appealed to me, I like exploring places and Shetland has so much to offer even a casual visitor. Like us this can lead to big decisions, like moving here some thing we have never regretted.

The old and even older (Giant Stones- Hamnavoe) equally interesting. Seeing these things gets you interested more in archaeology, the range of my interests has been broadened  by coming to Shetland

Music has been a big plus with so many concerts to go to, the young south mainland fiddlers are inspirational and may even get you started playing an instrument. We had a chat with someone at 76 who has just started playing a mandolin so its never too late, that's if you can fit it in with everything else going on

I have now finished painting all sides of our house and have arranged for someone to give us a quote on painting the roof. This will add extra years onto the life of the house.

The house a few doors away has still showed no signs of being repaired or painted and his garden is very overgrown so the value will have decreased considerably.

I have just been asked to do a talk `A year in Shetland' when we go back to Sheffield, it's going to be very difficult knowing what to leave out.

Friendly

On Thursday  last week we went over to the music at Asta, it was packed. As always teas and homebakes came out at  9pm, as it was nice everyone enjoyed the food outside in the late evening sun.

                                                                                                               Scalloway

While people talked and ate we couldn't help but hear about someone complaining that they had been in a long traffic jam and had been held up a full 1.5 minutes. The joys of driving in Shetland.  But on the downside, as we drove back to Sandwick a car past us going well over 100 mph, just managing to avoid a van coming the opposite way and continuing to overtake other cars before disappearing over the hill at Sandwick. What a plonker!, he could have easily involved other cars in a bad accident.

Normally we can drive for miles in 5th gear without seeing another car. Entering Lerwick everyone slows down to 40-30 then 20 around the school as much to wave at the lollipop guy that must have it built into his contract that he must wave to every car or van coming down the hill in the morning. This is not the case though, he does it because he is being friendly. The same can be said for most drivers who acknowledge other drivers and even pedestrians. We could never say that of Sheffield.

We had two days of good still weather so we started to paint the house with help from our neighbour who helped with the higher parts of the bungalow. During this time we managed to paint both high ends and one lower part. At the same time discovering that we need to replace some of the wooden ends, although trying to get someone to some and look is a major problem. The paint , Butinox is not cheap at £120 per tin (10 Litres) but it is tried and tested and in harsh weather conditions lasts about 5 years- try Frank Williamson in Lerwick. Late on Friday it started to rain and the fog closed in so Saturday was out for any further painting

                                                                                                        Piglets at Swinster

The football season is drawing close and Sheffield Wednesday have already signed 8 players, with the new owners apparently loaded, money seems no object. However they had upset many fans by increasing match day prices , now up to £46 for the KOP on category A matches. We will be going to a match when we visit Sheffield in a few months, the first since March 2014. It will be interesting to see the new pitch and score board as well as a new team.

Its been very busy at work but helping the old folk is very rewarding and it was good to see them enjoying an old Shetland film from the 1970's after their lunch.

Memories such as photos are such important things, if our house was burning downing, I think i would try and get my external 2 TB hard drive containing thousands of great memories, other things can be replaced.

                                                                                        Sanderling south mainland

We have just had a couple of reminders that it is coming up to a year since we moved into our home, first the renewal of the TV licence then the home insurance, which proved very difficult last year as very few people would insure a wooden house. Thankfully Tower gate insurance seems to have been a good choice with other home insurers charging about £150 more for the same cover. You could try Admiral as well.

If you get chance please have a look at my other two blogs

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

Many thanks Folks

Many, many thanks to all who view this blog, this week i found out that i had reached over 10,000 views on this blog. I do hope that this blog has been some help to anyone moving or has an interest in Shetland - please let me know.

You also may like my other blogs

http//:shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk
http//:shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk

                                                                                                Heylor

Have you ever checked your on line presence ? you may find out something interesting even though you might not be on a website, have a blog, face-book or twitter account or something similar.Checking the web we found this

1251 Lago Vista Drive    
Find on map >>
Show street view

Beverly Hills   90210

Owner - Me & the wife

Value $7,071,986

Built: 1948

                                                                           Looking out to Mousa

I know we are more than content with our life in Shetland so we wont be moving or doing a weekend visit to Beverly Hills. Our surname isn't that common , most ending in  ...by so I was very interesting in the above link

The weather is always the talking point in Shetland, no weather forecast can seem to get it  right. Yesterday was on of those days `Between the weather', glorious sun from about 11- 8.30 and the hottest day of the year about 20 degrees. But later very thick fog which appeared in an hour, so thick we had problems seeing next doors house.
The day before wet and windy, the same the day after.

This week we have had a couple of large cruise ships in Lerwick. 

The usual procession of hired coaches transporting visitors south. I could just imagine the tour guide- looking left you could see Mousa if the fog wasn't so thick, later on - now we will stop for a short time so you can walk along the beach- make sure you take your waterproof clothing and thermals.

Its only July, still time for the summer to arrive, in fact its the wettest year in living memory. Last year we arrived in April and it was still dry and sunny into October- the best summer in living memory. So next year or even tomorrow who knows we take it as comes.

In the meantime we are still waiting for a dry period to paint our house. The condition is not that bad but they always say these wooden houses need painting every 5 years and we are not sure when it was last painted.