Simmer Dim & views of Lerwick

The daylight hours during the Midsummer period total 19 of proper daylight plus five hours of an ethereal twilight known up here as "simmer dim" (simmer being summer)

Although this is only our first full summer here, we're beginning to see just how Shetlanders get on and make the most of things. At the height of Midwinter there will be only 5-6 hours daylight  from around 9-10am to 3pm, so they really do seem to try cram loads into the evenings and weekends of summer.

Now, for those of you that like numbers & statistics, here are a few to give you a flavour of the islands:

19 hours of midsummer daylight
138 sandy beaches
567 square miles of islands
639 miles of good roads
1697 amazing miles of coastline
6,080 archaeological sites
6,000 years of history
22,000 people
54,000 gannets
200,000 puffins

Hold on ... can't mention puffins without this 

So, as some of you know I now have a part time job working in Lerwick (that's Sarah!) , the "capital" of Shetland. After I'm finished around 2pm , if I don't have to rush home I like to spend a bit of time soaking up the atmosphere in Lerwick. Here are a few views from around from the town :

Below is the main shopping street. Whilst there may be no John Lewis or M&S, there's a Boots and Ninian gift shop amongst others

http://www.ninianonline.co.uk/

View from Fort Charlotte - 17th century garrison - looking down over the town.

The very modern museum and archives with an excellent cafe inside !



Finally , I've recently come across Gary Buchan - his link is on the side of this blog, here's a couple from him and this is his link  http://www.garybuchan.biz/

Next time ? well ... more about the public halls and what goes on in them (you would be surprised) plus, you've heard our VERY biased view living here , we'll give you a few home truths about living on an island and some of compromises that have to be made.

S&S xx