Sunday 20 May 2007

Peat and Extension

I have discovered that if one tries to add further pictures (while writing the blog) to correct earlier errors, they appear at the beginning and not at the end as intended ... so this blog is kinda topsy-turvy, you will find.

In this first picture looking out of the new extension you will see the slot in the ceiling, above the door into the kitchen, where the film screen is going to go. You may also notice just how muck bruck I will have to clear up outside.

Well, you will see that I have not quite got the hang of removing one of two copies of the same picture! Nor have I found how to move pictures around once they are posted. Any advice welcomed.


At last the extension is getting near completion. All Archie, Andrew and David have to do now is to finish the woodwork (around windows/doors etc). Hopefully that will get done this coming week so that I can get in to seal the concrete, then paint, then get the book shelves up before the carpet arrives on the 12th June.


The yard is looking really good ... note the wall rising in the background, very slowly. I will have to face up the bootom of the slope where it meets the concrete flags with a low stone wall, then I will fill it in behind and grass it over ... that's the plan!



It was a lovely atmospheric day with bright sunshine and dark clouds ... thought you would like it. Plenty of sightings of the otters, though they are not popular with the Symmonds up the road as they have been seen walking off with their ducks. Alas though, no terns even attempting to nest on the skerry this year, we miss their crying. We do have a rather silly oystercatcher who has nested on top of one of the walls ... I hope the youngsters will be able to jump down safely when the time comes.
Managed to get our peats cut before the end of April and last week got them raised to dry. There is only one other (insane) peat cutter in Sandness now ... the rest of the population is much more sensible. Still, I get a lot of satisfaction and a bit of exercise.


This is a stereo (!) picture of the extension from the doorway into the kitchen, there is slate under and behind the stove. David finished cementing the doorway at the end of the week and I spent a couple of hours on Saturday morning cleaning every surface, including all the cups and dishes and pots and pans to get rid of the cement dust.

Dammit, I seem to have done it again! Help!

At the end of the month (31st), I have been invited to the opening of the New Shetland Museum. I believe Charles and Camilla are going to be there too. I will need to put on my suit again ... last time was for Jamie and Helen, but that depends on the weather ... I may have to wear keeperwear and boots ... which may just give me an introduction to C&M ... thinks, better take along a riding crop too.
Edmondstons' Victorians 60 Degrees North ms now back with the Shetland Times and planned to be out by the end of June ... when an editor tells you the 'end' of June, that means the beginning of July earliest. Still waiting to hear if Chapman and/or Dark Horse are going to take any poetry. Oh, and still waiting for other blogs to be updated.