Monday, June 30, 2025

New moth

 Found a new moth in the garden today and there were 3 of them. Clouded-bordered Brindle. Very pleased.


Jim and Jill finished the first layer of insulation today. Thank goodness its so messy!


Jim the started measuring up the window surrounds. Unfortunately we wee a bit short do HD popped to town to get some. Meanwhile Jill undercoated  the 3 that were ready.


The lads carried on fixing radiators. The big one in the lounge is massive and it's not even in yet.


They also mixed up the base for the fan unit. It's covered and drying.

Our friends Mark and Sarah popped over to drop off Robs pressie. We gave them out lurgy so it was the first opportunity. He has a lovely new model to tackle in the dark winter months. Awesome.

The police phoned again so Jill had another chat. They are working out which house the grumpy chap came from.

Sunday, June 29, 2025

More itchy and grumpy man

 Jill put some more insulation in  this morning ( itchy itchy itchy) while Rob shunted stuff in the lounge so the big radiator can go in tomorrow.

This afternoon we delivered some wedding photos to Megan and Adam, had a quick Sandwiches at the teas while we chatted to the organisers of the agricultural show. Looks like we can do the photos this year which will be fun.

Then we went back for the Red necked Grebe although it was almost as far out today, even walking the coastal path.






There were also a Merganser family and lots of Eider.





Some nice yellow rattle on the footpath.



Unfortunately  Jill then proceeded to get accosted by a local man who was angry that people were walking the coastal paths by his house, particularly anyone not born on Shetland. It was very intimidatingly as he was standing and Jill was sitting and very sad as most Shetlanders have been very welcoming.  A note was sent to the police as it is concerning he is being this aggressive to single walkerssad way to end a pretty walk.


Ps don't sit here!

To cheer Jill up we had  quick stop at Melby.






Saturday, June 28, 2025

Itchy

 There is no getting round it. Putting in insulation sucks. It's dusty, awkward and itchy, no matter how careful you are, but the extension feels warmer for it.

So to blow all the bits away, Jill went to the windiest spot locally. Melby and Norby beach. Yup  it was windy but it did the trick!.

Nice to see lots of gannets. There must have been a big school  of fish to keep them occupied.





Plenty of bonxies too.



Not much on the beach as the tide was way out.



The long staying Magpie in Sandness seems to be on its own now.


And it was good to see a sweet family of Tufted Ducks and a Mute Swan on the way home.








Friday, June 27, 2025

Bit damp

 The weather was up and down today so it was ok to be inside. The lovely lad from Hughes came back to put more new radiators in.



Jim worked on the insulation while we headed to the usual arrangement of Friday hospital appointments.

On the way back with our shopping we found a lovely pair or Red throated Divers. 








After lunch Jill worked with Jim. The insulation is coming along. It was a bit of a squeeze doing the roof bit. Jill's back wouldn't bend enough to do that bit!



In-between showers Jill also covered in the new French drain.

To give Jill a break and to support village fundraising, we went for chips tonight. Very lovely.


After chips we had a quick wander to Wadbister for the Red necked Grebe.

It was peeing with rain, terrible light and about as far away as it could be.

 Not one of Jill's best!


Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Not today

 Bit of miscommunication( as the phone is currently dead!). Heating is a bit delayed but they should start tomorrow. 

So, Jill was outside digging the ditch. It's gone well. Pipe now has its pyjamas on to stop silt getting in. There was a lot of water released when the two ditches joined.




We now need some more chips to complete it.

Mid afternoon, news came out of a White throated  sparrow at Sumburgh. We were waiting for a big delivery so had to stay in but by 4pm we decided to leave. Jim very kindly said he would take in the delivery. 

We headed down to Sumburgh and were lucky to get there just in time for one of an infrequent showing.











There were huge numbers of Puffins on the cliffs too. It was a lovely evening.