My girlfriend and I

We're all home in Shetland now, my girlfriend and I, and of course the wee cat. In all honesty, not so long ago he was a kitten but he's settled quickly and yesterday he made his first visit into the back garden. The window was left open for him, he took a quick sniff of the air and jumped out. Now he jumps in and out all the time.

The sun is out today and the wind is non-existent which is good for people to move into but it won't be long until both Kate and the cat are both aware just what the weather can be like on the Atlantic coast - and let's be honest - it's only three or four miles away from the North Sea. No protection to be had here at all.

It's going to be a good life for us here in Northmavine at the northern end of Mainland, here in Shetland. It's a good place to live if you appreciate a quiet life, surrounded by lots of natural life, both on the land and in the sea. It's amazing how many seals, dolphins and whales that you see in the water.

Must admit, I've never caught a kipper yet though :))

Neolithic Shetland

Shetland, many thousands of years ago, was covered in trees until neolithic man arrived. He cut them all down and used them to build houses or bows and arrows or fires to cook food but whatever he used them for, he used them all and that is why Shetland now is covered in peat.

Because of this, I believe that some trees should be grown back. It cuts back the wind, therefore protecting the stock of sheep and allows some crop to be grown which allows the generation of natural earth. This sends the land, in quality, back thousands of years, which has to be good.

So I do my little bit in my back garden. I grow a couple of very young willows which, in a couple of years I will be able to take a couple of cuts off of which I will start and that will mean there are four. I also have a black hawthorn which I am looking forward to doing the same with.

It's a great pity that more people don't make the effort to return Shetland back to what it originally was but some do and one day, in more than just a few years, it may just happen.

Those woolly young girls

I was just thinking to myself, maybe I should be getting myself a bit fitter so that I can con my way by as an Olympic whatsit. Then I could chat up one or two of these woolly young girls and have a good time to remember.

But then I thought to myself, "No, that would be a right waste of time. There's a field full of sheep just outside the house!!!"

That could have been a lot of work just wasted. Think that I'll cut the grass and ask them if they would like to go out for a meal tonight.

Will I get lucky?

I'll keep you posted!!!

The Olympic torch vs The Shetland prostitute

Believe it or not, I’ve just found out that the Olympic Torch is here in Shetland on Sunday. I don’t know how it’s getting here, it’ll be either by airoplane or, if the weather is poorly, it’ll come by rowing boat. The last stage will be from the Fair Isle so it’s not too much of a paddle if the wind is in the right direction. If they get here in time then the fun can start immediately and there’s plenty of it to be had, or so I understand.

No doubt there will be at least a couple of flocks there and ready for action but I don’t think that there will be anywhere as many as that on a rowing boat so there will certainly be more than enough to go around.

I’ve just had a last thought. By the time they jump back into the boat to paddle off to their next destination they’ll be well knackered!!!

I hope it's a nice, warm, sunny day and that everyone enjoys themselves and that the sheep have been shorn recently.

Sheep in the back

A couple of sheep in the back of the van. Just lost the name of the person to name so if you spot your photo then please let me know!!!

The sun is out again

The sun is out again and I think that today, if it stays like this that I'll be strolling down the side of the loch. It'll help to top up the suntan and it might help me to get a bit fitter too.

I'll get the chance to watch the sheep and the birds, and if it's really still then the insects will land on the water for a moment and then fly off again and the fish will rise, trying to get them - and they often do too!

The birds are back at at the feeder, think I'll sit and watch them, just for a while ;))

I didn't quite finish the jumper

Yesterday, I didn't quite finish the jumper. It wasn't lack of effort, I put in a lot of time - at least, oh, twenty, twenty-five minutes but it wasn't finished.

I blame the wool. It was too thin. Thin and awkward and spiteful too. Not only that but it was the wrong colour, how was I supposed to finish the job when it was the wrong colour.

I'm going to sit back with a cup of coffee and suss out just what to do next, that's what I'm going to do.

It's not that long ago that a lot of men used to knit, especially up here in Shetland so I'm going back in time and I will learn how to knit, firstly because I see it as a very historic skill to have and secondly, a very rewarding skill. It provides you with all the clothing, covers, whatever, in the colour that you like and if I do it for myself there's a good chance that it might fit.

Nothing is guaranteed right enough, but I can only try.

I just hope the sheep carry on providing!!!