Zephon and our container are on the way to Shetland!!

Zephon and our container ready to leave Darthaven last Wednesday.

Thanks to Guy Cotton (Savage) and Mike (MJS Boat Haulage) for loading Zephon and our container onto Mikes low loader. Zephon and the container are now in Scotland and are booked onto the ferry to Lerwick next Friday. Zephon's home for the winter is going to be Bridge End Marina. This marina is well sheltered and will protect her from the worst of the wind. 

Rae walking down to the marina.

The First Strong Winds of Autumn have arrived!!

A breezy day in Sand Wick Bay.

Well, the photos and the videos (apologies, but the quality of the videos is poor) are kinda self-explanatory. Its pretty exciting to have strong winds lashing the rain against the windows whilst sitting snug in bed with a cup of tea watching the tempestuous sea with the light, waves and clouds continually changing the sea / landscape. 

I have to admit it is also a bit unnerving watching the waves rolling into the cove, listening to the wind howling and thinking this is not a strong gale, it gets much windier here; wow I wonder what that is going to be like? 

Earlier this week the wind was blowing West Nor West. Stepping outside the hus I could taste the salt in the air which was great. I have to admit though I am wondering how long the car will last before rust starts to attack the body work, well we shall see. 

Last week was also half-term and so Tom and Matt have been staying with us. They both seemed to like the wind too and appear to have adjusted to being in Shetland and staying with us in a hus rather than on a boat. 

The weather has been a bit crud but we did do stuff such as swimming and Matt discovered that he really enjoys riding! Matt went Shetland pony riding twice and he would like to go again when the boys return for the New Year. 

As well as these activities we also went to the Shetland Museum and the Scalloway Museum where we learned about the amazing bravery of those who took part in the Shetland Bus operations. 

A Trip to the Unst Boat Haven Museum.

Now that's what I call a boat!

Ferry terminal at Gutcher

Last Friday morning Rae and I drove to the Bressay ferry terminal in Lerwick to meet our new friend Silke. The plan for the day was for the three of us to drive to Unst  and visit Duncan Sandison who founded the Shetland Boat Haven Museum. Silke was keen to show us all the important sights on the way which was great fun.

It takes about three hours in total to reach Unst. The drive itself is only about two hours long, but then you have to factor in waiting for ferries. There are two ferries that need to be taken: the first one leaves from Toft and goes to Ulsta on Yell and then the next ferry goes from Gutcha to Belmont on Unst.  

Rae waiting for the bus in the fantastic bus shelter on Unst.

While Rae waited for the bus she had time to make a quick phone call:

do some knitting;

some more knitting;

and some more knitting;

and, bugger, dropped a stich!!

As can be seen from the photos we took in some sights along the way. The first being the famous bus shelter which is always decorated. As it was wool week in Shetland, the theme for the bus shelter was knitting. 

Replica of the Gokstad ship, Skidbladner.

The Swedish replica of the Gokstad viking ship is called the Skidbladner. The Skidblander was abandoned in 2000 by its Norwegian and Swedish crew who were attempting to emulate Leif Erickson and sail the Skidblander to America. The voyage ended, when the ship was unable to proceed due to strong Northerly winds which persisted for several weeks. This ultimately lead the time-pressured crew to abandon Skidblander in Lerwick, where she accumulated debt, through unpaid harbour dues.  In 2005 the Shetland Amenity Trust became the new owners of Skidbladner and it was decided the ship should be put on permanent display outside of the replica Viking longhouse in Haroldswick, Unst. Its a mighty fine setting for this full-size replica ship. which is pretty impressive.

Nice Stem!

Me and the viking longhouse.

Cosy.

Haroldswick Beach

Rae says this is very interesting geology.

Lovely light on those cliffs.

Inside the museum with Duncan, Davy and Silke.

The Shetland Boat Haven museum is an amazing place and it was great spending a couple of hours with Duncan and Davie. Hearing the tales of the sixareen fishing in the Far Haaf was awe inspiring and left me wondering how these fishermen were able to physically and mentally withstand these harsh conditions often 40 or so miles from land. 

Not sure who the geezer is in this pic.

A well deserved cup of rosy lee with Silke.

Rae providing the tunes.

Accompanied by Silke

Interesting!

We were a tad disappointed da cafe bus was closed for da winter.

On the way back to Lerwick Silke suggested we make a slight detour to take in the delicious fish and chips at Frankies fish and chip shop. We had a great meal but unfortunately forgot to take any photos.

Feeling full after supper, we dropped Silke back at the Bressay ferry terminal and then we headed home, knackered, but happy.

A-Z of Shetland is a must watch vid!!

News from Burra.

Home Sweet Home

We have been living in Shetland for two and a half weeks and we feel very settled in our small croft. The weather is very changeable and we are enjoying being here even when, as it is now, blowing a gale and lashing down with rain. The scenery is just beautiful whatever the weather.

Giving Defiant some love.....

  

What a place to do some work, lovely.

     

There is a lovely patina developing on Defiant.

Last week I was able to spend a couple of days giving the inside of Defiant's hull a bit of a sand down followed with a liberal application of some 'love' in the form of Varnol oil. She is looking pretty good on the inside now and I just need a couple of dry days to get the outside of the hull sanded and oiled and she will be back to looking gorgeous. 

A Sunday Stroll to Meal Beach

We visited yet another stunning local beach last Sunday. Meal is a small cove with a sandy beach. There is another cove immediately adjacent and this is a pebble beach. I don't understand the geology where one beach is sand and the other beach which is not even a 100M away is pebbles. Please can someone explain? 

Can anyone explain the geology where one beach is sand and the adjacent beach is pebbles?

The scourge of plastic rubbish: fishing nets; crates; water bottles etc....