Stripping

 Well, we were both at it today. Jill started on the polystyrene tiles and old wallpaper upstairs and rob started on some of the nicoteeny flaky paint downstairs. 5 black bags of rubbish are now awaiting the next bonfire

The wallpaper was pretty bad as there was also a sheet or polystyrene between the layers. Little white bobbles will be found for months!. The first lay would actually have been quite pretty. Oldest on the left.

The paint will take longer as it comes  off in tiny amounts. It's better than the filthy colour after stripping though and some of the timber will be salvagable. There once was a pretty shade of pink.

We were quite pleased how much we got done today.

To end the blog today, a question for you. What's this wooden item?. Dodgy photo I know but it's pretty big so I put it by the bath for scale. It was found in one of the bedrooms

Off and running

 Well, what an exciting start to the day - we went and picked up our wheelie bin. 

A tually before that ee woke to a fair sprinkling of snow. It was beautiful.

By the time we were ready to go the sun came out giving us a stunning drive for our precious bin.

The above is one of Jills favourite places. Lower Voe.

At the house today, in between hail showers, we cracked on with the bathroom, removing the 70's false perspex ceiling and the lovely wood effect cladding. It was quite tough but we were pleased with our labour's. We can now see what we have to work with. We also did some draft excluding.

Rob also managed to sort out an electrician and arrange a meeting with the architect.

 

Which room to start on?

 We had a long day at the house today. The weather forecast was bad so we started an early bonfire as there is so much to get rid of. Jill started on emptying one of the barns and the pile of rotten wood in the courtyard. It's looking better. 

Found some very odd things in the barn. Sonny, the old chap who used to live here, must have  forgotten buying things as there were several bags of new items that were stuffed inside pallets. There was even a bag of new socks in there, and a copy of police academy. Very random.

We then put plastic over the worst windows to stop the draft. It started to snow at around 11am and it started to settle but in less than 30 mins it was all gone and the sun was out. It then stayed absolutely gorgeous. You can see from the photos what a difference half an hour made.

The bathroom is going to be the first room to do so we headed to Jewsons to order a new suite as the old peach one looks a tad dated! It was quite exciting to get started.

The Happy Haddock then caught our eye so we had some chips as a treat but sadly we weren't as happy as the haddock. They were not that great.

Batten down the hatches

 It was a beautiful sunny day on Sunday so a little site seeing was in order. We took a jaunt down to Sumburgh and Spiggie and were amazed at how many pairs of Fulmars we saw. It's good to see they inhabit even man made areas such as quarries and road side rocky cliffs.

Took an early evening walk along Ness of Sound and had good views of otter and seals. It's so close to Lerwick but super for wildlife.

We tried for the Aurora but got too tired and gave up at just before 10pm. We should have waited longer - but know for next time. We did see a hint of green but missed the better showing at 10.30pm. With the clocks changing it gets dark here at around 9pm.

Today we made lots of calls and sorted a plumber and hopefully BT although the 1mb broadband speed we can get is thoroughly underwhelming!. Hopefully we will get fibre in about 18 months.

We got to the house mid morning and spent the day covering drafty windows and making covers for blowy fireplaces ready for the cold weather we are due. A good job, jobbed.  

Garden tick of a nice male sparrowhawk. But it took one of the resident starlings.

Day off

 Yesterday we spent the day shifting furniture around so we can settle in the kitchen - even with its leak. It looks busy, but quite cosy.

The blog didn't get done as we had a night out and went to the Biosecurity talk with the Shetland bird club. It was very interesting

We popped out via the house, to check on the kitties and met our next door neighbour who was just off for some fishing on Watsness loch. Very nice chap who is just about half a mile away

 Then the day didn't go so well as we decided to have the day off and go for some birdwatching/photography.  Unfortunately Jill's camera decided to die with style. Luckily it's still, just, under warranty but will have to go back to the mainland. The old DX was dug out of the camera bag and will just about do.

We popped into the camera shop to see if they had any ideas. But they had no joy with it either.

On the way back we decided to see the Sperm whale again. Unfortunately it is still at Whiteness and not looking so well but it is a truly beautiful spot.

Visit to town centre

  

Rob had an appointment at Specsavers in Lerwick so Jill went down to the harbour for a wander and tried out a few of the shops. Harry's dept store is amazing. Caught up with a couple of summer plummage black guillemots .

Apologies for the dodgy mobile photo but the battery charger for camera is still packed!

After Robs appointment we stopped at plantiecrub for s few trees and some window plastic. Got a nice selection to start our garden and hopefully attract some birds when they grow a bit!

Then, back to the house for some more  box unpacking.

We spoke to the scaffolding company so hopefully we can get that up in May for the roof repairs and windows.. 

below a couple of pictures of Lerwick

Furniture arrives

 Bit of a communication breakdown today. The removal company hadn't confirmed the arrival date,  but it arrived - when we were in Lerwick. Luckily the weather was devine all day so they could start unloading while we raced from Lerick. It's about 28 miles.

 They did a grand job, all arrived safely. I shut the kitties in one room while we unloaded and Morgan discovered she could get into the window panelling, by-pass the door , and pop out on the landing- rather covered in cobwebs!

So, everything is now in the house in the 3 dry rooms. This was a bit of a feat! We are staying at the Brae Hotel a bit longer so we create some space before we move in.

Garden bird tick. Raven

Bonfire

 We headed to Lerwick to visit the window showroom to pick the colour and we won't say what we have chosen. You will have to wait and see.

We diverted to South Whitesness for a very  quick view of a sperm whale. Jill's first. Distant views but great to see.

Sorry for the dodgy phone shot of a blow.

Back to the house for a big bonfire to get rid of lots of the debris. Very pleased to get rid of our big pile.

Finally found the otter holt entrance. Not sure yet if it is still in use it may not be happy for us to be living there now. We will keep watch on it.

Windows ordered.

  Rude awakening this morning thinking there was a very low military plane making the bed shake a bit but it turned out it was a 5.2 earthquake between Norway and Shetland

 We headed into Lerwick to sort out a few bits and pieces including council tax - which includes water and is cheaper than Norfolk. Also bought a post box as the poor postman probably broke his arm off trying to open the outer door this morning.

Headed back to Watsness via Walls  and went and signed on with the GP surgery. They gave Rob an appointment straight away which was super and unexpected.

At the house we met with Michael our lovely builder who measured up for our windows and doors. We will, in about 8 weeks, be able tol say goodbye to all the expanding foam we have used!

We didn't have much time left so did some scrubbing and braved the washing of an internal door which was covered in soot, dirt and nicotine. Think we will get them dipped.

Three twite and 2 Shetland wrens in the garden today.

 

Not Watness but watamess!

 Slight late start as it was Sunday and drove slowly from Brae to Watsness to take in the stunning views.

Got straight to work ripping off wallpaper to see what was underneath, brushing off hanging paint from the ceiling and a sojourn into the attic. First time up there and it was quite interesting. Found a stack of old 78's a metal bath and a long dead brass bed- oh and a toy cow. One success, found the attic hatch, so now firmly in place. It really is a massive space.

 Jill had a little wander going north up the coast towards Dale of Walls. Very wind assisted but bracing and beautiful blue skies. She was watched for a while by a curious grey seal and had fleeting glimpses of an otter

We had a visitors during the afternoon. Chris and his wife came to have a look at the mess. (We met Chris in Jewsons). They have done up their own manse so were curious to see how bad ours is.

We stopped a little early today as Rob was really tired but he had managed to help by yanking off some wallpaper and sorting some of the kitchen cupboards. Headed back to Brae for a visit to Frankies for a lovely burger

Getting stuck in

 Had a lovely breakfast at the hotel and headed to Lerwick to buy some bits and bobs from Jewsons and a cooker and freezer from GR Robertson. Also picked up a couple of heaters to start drying the house out  

Rob was let loose with the expanding foam to fill the gaps. Which might have been a  mistake. They are getting measured and ordered on Monday so hopefully we can get them made and installed quickly.

Jill had  a go at lifting the rotten lino flooring in the original kitchen but was stunned. The layers just kept coming until all 5 were finally removed. Also started stripping the hanging paint on the ceiling. Starting to look a bit more like a usable room already 

With the sun shining, Jill took a break and went exploring finding 3 beaches and a cliff face full of Fulmars just at the bottom of the garden. The sky was a beautiful blue and the skylarks were singing- they were just struggling a bit in the wind! Nice pair of Goldeneye on the Loch and a lone tufted duck

Our move to Shetland

 Well, we left Norfolk on the 16th March and packed the van in pouring rain full of Sahara sand so everything is covered in red spots. A good send off indeed!

We waved the furniture off and hopefully will see it on the 23rd .  We left later than we thought so by the time we bundled our things and the kitties in the car it was nearly 7pm. Tricky packing in the dark! The drive to the chosen travelodge in Newcastle was  tough but we finally crashed in bed at 1am. Morgan, our tabby cat was so tired she buried herself between us under the duvet and snored all night. I know now why I haven't moved for so long!

Lovely sunny drive to Aberdeen for the ferry and the kitties were still good as gold in the car. The voyage was a bit rough but on time to get us Tesco for some breakfast. 

Bit of an issue in that the solicitor was still collecting signatures so not quite completed on new house. William, who owns the house  let us in early though.

We took it a bit easy to start and spent the day shifting some rubbish. Yes, rubbish. The house hasn't been lived in for 13 years. We were both very tired, so early finish to drive to the Brae Hotel after settling the kitties in the kitchen for the night.

We headed back to Walls and popped into the shop for a much needed coffee. We were very warmly greeted by the owner who introduced us to several of the locals who gave us a warm welcome

A great start to a new beginning