I am sure you enjoyed the Lake District throughout almost all of January but today Philip and Sheila are taking us further north. So off we go to the Shetlands!
"For many years our go-to holiday destination was a Greek island, but since retirement we decided to go to Scottish islands instead - Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and in 2019 Shetland. Its a two-day journey to Shetland, driving to Aberdeen, then 14 hours on a ferry to Lerwick, the capital of Shetland yet with less than half the population of Llantwit Major. Lerwick is Britain's most northerly town, made familiar to us through the Ann Cleeves 'Shetland' detective series, and 'Island Medics' both of which have been on BBC TV in recent years. The video shows something of its history, streets, and buildings, including the Mareel Arts Centre and Museum, which would be the envy of any town or city in the UK."
That was quite lovely and Lerwick very different to how I had really expected. The waters calm and so green and clean, the building in many ways austere but so much to see and do. I think I would fancy visiting, but not that fourteen hour journey to get there and maybe miss the Greek sunshine too! Do you do the driving Philip or do you and Sheila share?
Shetland
Helen Mort
Wind-whittled, turned on the sea’s lathe too long, built by a craftsman who can’t leave it alone: the trees scoured off, the houses pared down to their stones, the animals less skin than bone.
We walk to Windhoose, find a barn even the ghosts have left, a sheep’s spine turning on a string, a name reduced to nothing but it’s sound. Our silences become the better part of us.
This weekend is the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. You can take part in this important piece of research from your home, garden, or local bench, green or even on the same repeated walk. It is fun and so important to our wildlife knowledge and care - and we all gained so much from birds during the various lockdowns!
You will find information about the survey, guides to identifying birds and hints and tips on wildlife photography here too.
And for a bit of fun, find out what garden bird you are! I was a house sparrow and David a wood pigeon!
