Pop!

 Well, interesting few days, not!

We have been busy this week. Jill went over to Marks as usual, we had a chilled afternoon. What an amazing day for rainbows.

It's now time for driving home in the dark.

Yesterday we decided we had been too busy for the birds and needed to fix it, so after Robs hospital appt we decided to run over to Unst for the Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler ( pgtip s)

It didn't go to plan. The tyre decided to pop as we went onto the ferry to Yell! Very helpful staff on the ferry sorted us out. They reckoned it hadn't been right for a while and when we looked closer it was clear they had not fixed the tracking correctly when motability took it in to do.

We only had back tyres on a few weeks ago and apparently the front where fine. Apparently not!

So the ferry man has access to compressed air so, he topped it off and we carefully turned it round, went back on the ferry, and limped off. We had to wait a while for recovery so Jill had a leg stretch.

Today was a bit complicated. Rob made lots of car related calls. Jill walked for the bus. It's a nice bus walk.

After collecting the car from town we went for a drive to Tangwick for the Raddes Warbler. There was another group looking which was really good as it was very bouncy and good at hiding! Good to meet you, and the gang, Austin!

It was really hard to photograph but Jill did get one shot. The second only really shows a good wing stretch.

It was very yellow in flight .

The drongs looked good.

Chips on the way home

Something different

 We finally have our gift from Nick Robinson in place. It looks amazing.

And Jill finally had time to work out how to finish the top of the stairs to our bedroom.

It's been very windy. With awesome seas.

After a bit of a drive round we enjoyed watching gannets diving close to shore.

We saw lots of lapwings and snipe.

And we found another song thrush. This is the one from the garden the other day.

We saw quite a few redwings and a snow bunting.

When we got home, the wind was even stronger and was belting the waves over the cliffs.

Interesting find!

 It's been a great week with Sam doing Shetland touristy bits for the last couple of days.

Yesterday we were at the lighthouse at Sumburgh. We drop Rob at the bottom birdwatching.  Been there loads, but never actually been inside. It's really well laid out and was very informative so we thoroughly enjoyed it.

The sea was pretty choppy!

We did a bit of birdwatching after picking up Rob and found a few bits and pieces.

Then we headed home for something to eat.

This morning we were out early as the weather was good.

We started at the beach and walked the cliffs.

While we were there, we decided to look for the site of the monastery that shows on the ordnance survey maps and Sam found it. It's tricky but if you stand on the boundary walk end you can see the outline including 4 walls, a doorway and a semi circular feature at the end. It's about 12 ftx 7 ft. Amazing!!!

Will have to go back up in a less windy day to get some photos 

We came down round the loch and I showed Sam what I thought might have been a causeway and path to the broch from the cliff edge and the weather went to the broch. With two standing in opposite walls it really gives an idea of the size. It was big! Jill asked A I to help.

Cool!

Then when we got back, we spotted a garden first. A song thrush.

This afternoon we headed to town for some lunch and a car charge as our cable is dead. Unfortunately all of the local 50 w chargers are dead so it's slow! There was a nice tysties by the car. We had a lovely lunch at Olive Garden while the car charged.

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 Then we showed Sam Burra and Tundra before heading back to the ferry. Rob got his drone up 

It's been a cracking week. Thanks Sam!