Sunshine , Sadness & Solar Power

Well we've had another mild and sunny week this week which has been good to work in. After a couple of days of helping Fred dig the foundations for the extension and porch, Steve & Digger set off for a short trip to Merseyside to visit parents and collect some bits and bobs needed for the building works.

We're lucky enough to have some stunning wildflowers here and it feels like we're completely surrounded by them - the sunshine has really brought out the blooms. We have fields of wild flag iris's which are just the green leaves at the moment, but this evening I spotted one of the first ones to emerge into the sun

There are also dozens of wild orchids.Much of the land has been untouched for generations, the main reason being that the some of the fields leading down to the beach have been a little bit wet for sheep to graze on (they get foot rot!) so the flowers haven't been eaten! So far I think I've spotted 3 or 4 varieties - not sure of their names but thought you may like to see a couple of pictures of them.

So , that's the "Sunshine" bit, now the "sadness" bit. 

You may remember that Fred parents are up in Shetland, seeing us and touring around. Well their dog Max1 - aged 13 - made his way to doggy heaven this week.

He'd spent last weekend with us all & Digger & Max2 (Freds dog) down at the beach, but as an old boy he'd not been right for a little while. He had a peaceful end & I'm told the vet was very good and let him go to sleep in his bed in the motor home. He's now resting - looking out to sea - behind our Lamby Shed, so there will always be a little corner of Yell that's his. RIP Max1, a handsome soft old boy.

Finally, the portable solar panel appeared today as Janet & Joe arrived to stay for the night on their way down to mainland Shetland. Thankfully, permament sunshine is not required, just daylight, so they should be ok for a bit of electric in the motor home for a while