Feathers , Floors and a Fond Farewell

FEATHERS

One of things we hadn't expected was the sheer number of birds we share the island with. Whether just going out to the car or out for a good long walk, we can struggle to make out one birdcall from another (something we're still learning about)

Curlew

 ( PS .... click on the image to blow it up)

Although these are classed as wading birds, they're nesting in undergrowth and heather all around the old Schoolhouse and the croft, so we're trying to keep the dogs away from these area's so as not to disturb them.

Oystercatcher

This bird is a very common sight around Yell. Their call is really distinctive & easy to recognise. Like  curlews, they nest in the grass or on the beach and are very protective if you walk near them, they make a bit of a racket and fly around to warn you off.

Walking on the Ness of Sound recently we saw a single bluey-green coloured egg, neatly perched amongst the pebbles on the beach. About twice the size of a hens egg, the colour was gorgeous.

Gannets

Now , Shetland is home to some of the largest gannet colonies in the world.

As children, both Steve's and I remember if we ate our food too quickly or were greedy, our mums used to call us "greedy gannets". Now we're living amonst them we completely understand why =) .

They are awesome to watch  - you see them everywhere and what a show they put on, half an hour easily passes. They're so determined as they dive like bullets into the water nearly always coming out with a fish.

FLOORS

Yes ... finally we have some! After our mate Robbie Readymix paid us a visit this week with his enormous wagon we're now the proud owners of porch and extension floors. Its amazing  how easily excitable we are these days. So at last ... we're working in the vertical towards heaven ! Yay

 

And finally....

This week we bade a very sad but fond farewell to the lovely Timmy "Crusty Pie" Tortoise. He was Steve's pets  for over 30 years and he thinks he was around 40. There's so much we could write about this little character, but now doesn't feel the right time. Below is one of our favourite pictures.

Timmy walking on laminate led to his nickname "Clunk" .... because he did. The scarf was a "silencer" as it were and never prevented him from walking around the place at top speed.  Rest in Peace Timmy Thompson.

xxx

 

Yell Ferry ....

Thought you might like a look at my twice daily mode of transport ( The ferry's in the background by the way!)

Only a few days to go

As they're on their way ...

A Cliff Edge, A Lost Crab & A Mountaineering Sheep

If you remember this earlier picture - it shows the West Yell Schoolhouse we're renting for a few months. We're really lucky to have the Ness of Sound - the little island opposite so close for somewhere to walk

We had a recent wander there early one morning  - before anyone else in the house was up (namely Fred!). I was almost leaning over the cliff edge to get this one - I think they're cornflowers, the blue in the sun was beautiful ...

As walked further around the edge of the island we spotted this crab in the grass on the cliff top, a long way from the waters edge - about 70ft above it.

It was still alive & we could only guess that a bird had dropped it. Steve picked it up (in my scarf, so not THAT brave) and after having a good look at him for a bit - and Digger wanting to play with him too - we found a spot to launch him back into the water (yes, from quite high so that may not have done him much good either ... )

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A Daredevil Wether ... or castrated ram =)

Many of you have either met or seen photo's of the lovely Rambo (or Sidney to the Lancashire Crew). He and Hattie travelled up to Yell with Steve and they have spent the last few weeks settling into their new home.

Suffice to say Rambo is something of a character.

Not only does he escape his huge field to go and play with Steve on the building site, but, since having had his feet trimmed recently he's taking to climbing .... in a BIG WAY

This is him on the top of a 10ft wall ...

If the Lancashire Crew are reading this, I bet you're glad he's not your headache any more !!! (Although , he'd have been a roast dinner by now if he) was !

xxx

Stonewalls , Sailing Ships & Sunburn

About 150 years after it was first built, a section of our back stone wall had started to collapse. This wall will be a real feature as we're installing a window that looks out onto it and the old area of the Lamby Shed.

Enter Alan our stonemason who's spent just over a week carefully dismantling it, laid a new foundation and then rebuilt it using the same techniques as when first built. I know you all must think its a bit sad loving stonewalls but , well, we just do. Here's the result of his hardwork which will still be standing in another 150 years.

Actually, the guys a bit of star ...

In 2008 Sue Hayward created a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and she wanted it to include an authentic Shetland crofthouse.

So, 1000 miles later, a crofthouse ruin was identified, dismantled, shipped from Yell to London, and rebuilt by Alan at Chelsea to create the "Shetland Croft House Garden for Motor Neurone Disease"

http://www.suehayward.co.uk/chelsea2008.htm

If we could grow a garden just a fraction as beautiful & natural ... well, come back in 10 years and see how we're progressing !

It won a Gold Medal (no mean feat) and the BBC Award for Best Small Garden.

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The hustle & bustle of Lerwick Harbour is growing in anticipation of the upcoming Tall Ships Race, when hundreds of sailing ships begin arriving into Shetland from all over the world. They start arriving next week bringing around 3000 people alone that make up the sailing crews let alone other visitors.

They're really going for it here and are organising hundreds of free events over the time they're here. As well as being able to board and look around the ships there are music events with world class acts. Boy ... did we pick the right year to move up here!

If you can't make it up here, don't worry, just click on one of the live Webcam links below to view to see whats going on in Lerwick town and in the harbour. And who knows, we may call YOU when we're down there and will wave to you!

http://visit.shetland.org/lerwick-town-centre-webcam

http://visit.shetland.org/lerwick-harbour-webcam

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Finally, we've been seeing more of this fella than we ever expected ...

Now, as my Ozzie buddy told me on more than one occaision you can never be too careful so slap it on ...

Unfortunately, none of us thought we'd need it up here so have been caught out and had a few burny bits recently - even Max posed in sympathy for the picture !!

MMMM .... what that I can smell ? Fish Pie - made with mackerel given to us this morning by Elsbeth our neighbour. Time to depart and tuck in ....

xxx

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

Roads, Regatta's & a Wall with a Secret

Building work has continued well this week, blockwork now going up plus we've also welcomed  Alan Smiles our local stonemason (amongst other talents!) into the happy band of workers.

Not sure yet which Alan will turn out to be, but I know we definately have or have had a Sleepy, Grumpy, a Bashful and a Happy ....

Yes ... I wonder which he is . Usually "Dopey" according to Fred ! ("Go and play with your whisk Bakerboy" is the usual response from Fred when Steve says something stupid)

 Just thought you may like a look at a shot taken at 08:30am  on my drive to work (near Mossbank)

After a number of hard days without a break, this weekend was going to be 2 days of Rest & Relaxation. We drove down to Burravoe pier to watch the yoal regatta, the yoal being a traditional sort of wooden rowing boat. So we found a cliff top on which to perch and watch the event ...

The boats set off from Burravoe pier, rowing out into the open sea to the start line, then raced back to the pier. Seriously hard rowing by teams of men, women and under 16's. Teams from all over Shetland made their way up to Yell for this annual regatta. They breed 'em hard up here.

Oh yes, perched about 8 inches from the cliff edge, coastal erosion performed by Digger Thompson

Anyhow, leaving the cliffs, we made our way back to the pier for a drink and something from the barby; as we walked past an unassuming stone wall it appeared to be alive with tweeting. We peered into the darkness between the stones to find this ... awwwwww

Finally .... in case you're liking our sunset snaps, this is a nice one =)

Watch this space for a few lines about the "All Day Buffet" . Yes, more food.

Have a good week

S&S&F

xxxx