Happily Ever After
Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running
Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.
Mavis, Frankie and Fulmars
by admin - 21:20 on 27 September 2010
Technology can be wonderful. Our self-catering accommodation doesn't possess internet access, but Matchgirl's fancy new smartphone can be turned into a wireless hot-spot, through which my netbook can communicate with the world (albeit very slowly).
Internet is the only thing that 42 West Baila, Lerwick, doesn't have. We were both a little underwhelmed when we drove up to our living space for the week ahead and found a characterless box, high on the edge of the Shetland capital's suburbs, but appearances can be deceptive.
Inside, all is modern, swish and comfortable. And in a dramatic break with tradition, the kitchen and lounge are upstairs, rather than the bedrooms, to make the most of the view across Voe of Sound and Bressay Sound. We even have a balcony. A house on a hill does have advantages. Matchgirl wants to move here full time.
The weather was remarkably good yesterday and continued so today while Matchgirl pursued her business and I explored some of the island at the wheel of our hire car, a Skoda Fabia. A quick recce saw me travel to the mainland's northernmost and southernmost points that can be reached by road – Isbister and Sumburgh Head. It wasn't a long drive.
Lunch was taken at Frankie's in Brae, which promotes itself as the UK's most northerly fish and chip shop and takeaway. The waitress, despite being scarily studded and tattooed, was friendly and the food acceptable.
Snappery was performed at the splendidly named Mavis Grind, where boats used to be pulled overland from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean (and vice versa), and at Sumburgh. The puffins have flown, as have the gannets, but squadrons of fulmars still soared around the cliffs. More than a hundred snaps were snapped, most of which were out of focus, out of frame, or – usually – both. A couple survived for further inspection back home. I'll try again tomorrow, weather permitting.
Add your comment
© Russell Turner 2008-2024