Its a windy day!

Oh its been windy today.   The Bressay Ferry was even stopped throughout the day.  Lots of boats in the harbour.  Its is Bressay & Cullivoe Up Helly Aa today.  

Was in bed all last week with the flu so been very quiet.   Had snow last weekend and was out and about taking some pictures.   The flowers in the garden are beginning to sprout - wish it was weather just to get something done - I need to cut the fuschia bushes but need a decent day.

Snowy is well.  For some unknown reason since we got the new TV he seems to hear things on it.  He is currently watching the One Show and its the wildlife bit with snakes?   Sometimes its voices that makes him look up and sometimes its just noises especially birds, whistles etc.   Bought him some new soft balls and he just loves them.   They bounce and he can also carry them around in his mouth.   He comes with them to us and we have to play. He is sleepy tonight as it was fish for tea yummy.

Some random photos of this last week:

 The robin.

 Lerwick

 Sledging on the knab.

The blackbird scratching around in the snow.

Having thoughts on what we are going to do for Victors 60th might not be on the island.

Car goes in for service and MOT on Monday so fingers crossed.  New brakes and a tyre already on.

A glass off wine calls and I need to get back and finish my jigsaw.   Started one last Saturday when it was snowing and been working on it all week.   It was one that my mum gave me for Christmas.   Still puddling away with crocheting.

Bi
Elaine

February - sunshine?

Its been a really nice weekend - now its raining but managed to do lots of bits and pieces.

I had the cold last week and it is still lingering - got my voice back but sniffling again today.  We went out and about yesterday - saw a Haigrie ( Grey Heron in Weisdale Voe) - went to the Bonhoga Gallery to see the Dennis Coutts Exhibition - absolutely excellent.  These were all photographs he had taken during the 60's and they are pure social history - from fashion , buildings, transport and people.   I have only been in Shetland since 1975 but I was still able to pick out some faces - Victor of course could pick out more. 

I also bought my Rooster Seed Potatoes and a Grow your own veg box which has shallotts, garlic, onions red and white and 3 type of potatoes a bargain at £9.99 or so I think.   I have been planning today - as I also bought peas yesterday and realised today that I already have peas.   Oh well!  I just need to get cabbage plants as I have evrything else and also obviously bedding plants in the spring.

The garden is beginning to show signs of life - crocuses and snowdrops flowering:

Today I have been at the Shetland Museum at the Shetland Needleworkers beautiful patchworks, crosstitch, blackwork etc.   I did not take pictures but I might go back again as there was so much to see - some of the quilts the details were incredible.     I then went for a walk around the waterfront.   Did not realise that there were names on the steps of the museum.

 The steps

 Shetland Boats

 Mareel

Shetland Museum.   

Scrumptious Shetland Lamb for dinner.  Exciting Rugby on TV just now.   Wales v Scotland.  

Snowy is fine - had a little spat with Tyson this afternoon but is now lying sleeping on the radiator.  Lots of Sparrows and Starlings feeding in the garden.  Moved the feeders as it is so wet in the corner just now.   The Robin and the Blackbirds are still around too.

Up Helly Aa and the rest

Can't believe that the Lerwick Up Helly Aa has been and gone so quickly.   I am a Hostess at the TA Hall so it is a very busy time for us.  Victor is also in a squad but helps out too.  On Saturday we set up the hall, Monday afternoon & evening we make some sandwiches, and further organise the hall, some will be making soup and on Tuesday morning its the homebakes, savouries, softies and bannocks all to organise. At night from 08:30 - 08:00 (yes nearly 12 hours!)its  dancing, providing food and being a hostess to the various squads that visit all 47 of them and to all our guests in the hall. Wednesday is clean up!

This year the Guizer Jarl was David Nicolson and he stays next door to us. We were invited to the Bill presentation next door on Wednesday afternoon.  Then we went to the TA Mess where the Jarl Squad meets before they go on their way around the various pubs and clubs.  Still feeling very tired today - mind you having a head cold does not help.  I had no voice yesterday.

Not been much gardening or walking weather at all.   Can see the start of shoots in the garden - some things are beginning to pop up - I noticed a marigold still in flower yesterday!

I had a trip to Stirling University and I forgot to take my camera - it was so beautiful with the frost and snow and the trees were bare.  Also saw flocking Jackdaws from my Hotel room - in fact there were also Starlings and other birds flocking too - it was quite spectacular. I am off in March to Aviemore so might get some photos then!

No snow here as yet but cold - beautiful day today.

A mixture of photos:

 Snowy watching the pigeons on TV.   Still getting up to mischief but behaving just now.

 Blackbird in bush at Clickimin

 The TA Hall- set up and ready.

 The Bill

 The Galley - this was burnt

 Victors Squad

 Transvestite Tuesday

 Another squad doing their act

 The Torch & Galley Boys with the Bill Head outside the house

 The Torches

 Detail of the Jarl Squad suit- the fleeces are Icelandic Sheep.

 the shield and helmets

 Guizer Jarl - David Nicolson -the feathers are french cockerels and very soft.

Having a yarn in the TA Mess.