Given you a break

 Hope you missed us!. We have just been mighty busy and hadn't had time to take photos, let alone blog!

So what have we been up to?

We did get our guests, Lesley and Leo, a small aurora and a super clear night sky complete with shooting stars.

We had a nice day on Yell with Leo to cheer him up. It also, of course fitted in with a bird. A new species for Jill, if a tiny speck, a short toed lark. He has now gone to stay on Unst for his last few days. ( Not the lark, Leo!)

We are still busy with guests and are meeting some lovely people. We are also getting good feedback and still getting good reviews although we have our first one that isn't perfect as he didn't get a cooked breakfast. But we have to expect a few like that. It clearly states continental on booking.com.

The village had a centenary dance for the hall which was built 100 years ago- obviously.

Lots of locals we knew where involved so we offered to take some pictures to create an album.  Jill went along and had fun, and cake.

It was an early start this morning with breakfasts for our 3 guests. Then once that had gone the bathrooms got cleaned. Our New Zealand guest was moving off to Unst so one room got stripped and remade. It does take longer doing the kingsized room! That gave us a few hours off birding before our new guests from Michigan, arrived.

We headed South  for a whistle-stop watch, Sumburgh Hotel, Grutness and Hoswick. We did find a few bits. There was other stuff around but we didn't want to get blocked in anywhere so we couldn't get back!.

The sun came out this afternoon and it was a cracking evening.

Big rocks

 We were heading out to Yell this morning but the car had other ideas. We have new tyres in order but Midge didn't want to wait so the tyre pressure warning came on. Plans changed and we stayed at home. New tyres will go on tomorrow.

 Our previous guest Leo, is back from Fair Isle, he won't be going back and we will now struggle to recommend it as a visit. Not going into it but we are very disappointed in the new observatory staff.

Jill instead, worked outside. 2 steps cemented in.

Then the new rockery got a bit more preparation. 1st  2 rocks in. They were blooming heavy!

Leo is booked in for another 2 nights and Lesley is also booking for a 5 night. Jill stopped on the way to the bus stop  for a bit.

2 lovely curlews, redshank and a Heron.

Jill also watched a fishing otter for a while.

New sofa

 Yesterday we popped to town for some shopping and visited our favourite charity shop, Cope. Always like to support them. They had a super sofa for £75. Absolutely bargain.

 

It will be with us next week.

We caught up with our guest , Leo, on Fair Isle. Unfortunately it wasn't going well so we tried to help him out, but it's a bit difficult over there. It's certainly put us off wanting to go! He's booked to come back on Wednesday.

Today was PA day. Jill and Mark headed South to do the Spiggie area. The weather cleared just in time to see the view from the mast. Always inspiring.

Jill spotted 6 snow buntings

We then headed down to Scousborough and Spiggie beach. Lovely. And so calm after the last few windy days.

From Canada to Derbyshire

 Some more lovely guests. A mother and son from Canada  and a lovely solo traveller from Derbyshire and the reviews are still awesome. 

The weather has turned autumnal so it was too rough for Skerries today. We popped out to see the distant ring neck duck and had a 2nd look for the Hornemans Arctic redpoll, after not connecting with it yesterday. We still didn't!. Nice drive out though. Rough lochs and beautiful skies.

 We also stopped by our friend Penny's house to see her new bookcases and house design. It's all looking really lovely.