Found a Hen harrier

 Quiet week this week after a super Up helly As tour.

PA day was a bit different and tied in with helping Sarah as her car is still being fixed. Jill took Mark to the Drs and then , as it was trying to Snow , we had a very civilised cup of coffee at the Brae Hotel. Very nice.

The Drs surgery has an amazing fish tank. Just couldn't help thinking' where do they get the fish up here'

The gloomy weather and other things, like leaky heating systems, still having planning issues, and other things meant we  were a bit down, so we went to the Warm hub at the Hall. We had free lunch, thanks to the Coop, Hilary and her team.

Jill picked up a puzzle for when Roanna comes up in April. She loves buttons!

We also had a short drive out to see where the Tengmalms owl had been seen. Glad we saw it in December. We actually weren't in the mood. To look.

Today we also chilled , with a bit of housework. We popped out for an hour to Sandness, in the rain. We found a Hen harrier but it played hard to get.

The tide was out a long way, but there were a lot of waders.

Oh, the smell of Kerosene!

 Up Helly Aa day, and by golly gosh it was chilly, and windy and a bit haily!

We started out early and got to town in time to see the boat procession. This bit wasn't quite so bad and the sun tried to shine on but the big gusts were cold.

Jill thought this was a good painting, but it is all thread!

We had a super meal, with Kat, at Number 88 and then parked up ready for the big show. It was amazing but a bit dodgy with so many sparks.  We wonder how many spotted the hidden Jarl in the head.

Wilsons, and Kat, on tour

 To Unst.

It was an early start to catch the ferry. There was actually a sprinkling of hail, mostly on the Alps road but the roads were fine.

We got the 9.15am ferry and then drove North to starting at the Northern most points of Unst and then heading South. Unfortunately it  still wasn't walking weather so it was mostly in the car.

 We visited Norwick beach first. Then Scaw where you can see the Gantry from the Space centre quite well,  it looks quite alien in the landscape.

We went up top to see Muckle Flugga lighthouse and visited Shetland Reel gin shop. Nice!

Then it was down to the Viking longship

We had lunch at the most Northly Uk cafe/ as shop and had a quick look at Baltasound and Uyeasound.

Lots of Long tailed ducks, whoopers and Goldeneye.

We had a slow wander back through Yell and headed for Frankie's for some lovely fish and chips.

 A Super day

Day 2 of the tour

 We got out a bit earlier today as the weather was quite a bit better. Windy, but some sunshine and a few showers.

We had a blip with the car as it had decided it didn't want to charge so we stopped en route at a fast charger. Bit frustrating but  sometimes things don't go smoothly.

We headed North to Eshaness. Stopping briefly at Mavis Grind, where the Atlantic and North Sea are closest.

 It was actually surprisingly calm and we had a break in the showers so had a look at the cliffs .

Tiny, tiny rainbow.

Jill took some photos for Kat's Grandad. ( Hello Grandad!)

We managed to fit in everything we needed just in between the showers.

After heading back, we had a chilled evening and had a good meal. Baileys cheesecake!