Children's Stories

This is the cover of the latest New Shetlander. The picture is by Meilo So, a Chinese lady (from Hong Kong) who lives in Yell and works for Doubleday. Thought you would like the image, it's entitled 'How to be safe at sea'. Jonathan tells me that she might illustrate his next children's book.

This time of year again! Monday was dry and sunny and mild, so made a start on my peats. Did a couple of hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday ... by which time it was distinctly cool, though dry. I'm ahead of the game ... first one to finish this year!! Most people haven't started. In fact most years I have not started until the first week of May. But it feels good to have it done ... and just a wee bit smug. I was going to wait until Sorley and Jamie were here (in a week) but if the weather is there you just have to grab it. But if anyone is desperate, then there is a wee bit more we could do.

I'm having problems loading more than one image so the next part will have to be ona different post.

Miscellany

There is a really good exhibition at the Bonhoga gallery just now by a Jennifer Talbot. It is an interpretation of landscape in woven, felted wool, but looks very fine, almost like silk. She really gets the colours and textures of Shetland just right. Unfortunately, these hangings are over 1000 quid ... I bought a very, very wee one! I have been looking at the old Shetland Trader sign in the shed where it has been since I took it off the coldwatertank in Little Bousta (when the Pedleys left last autumn) where it had served as a door (at the top of the stairs) when we were there. It used to stand propped-up in the 'Street' at the foot of Burns Lane in Lerwick when Mum had the shop. I was worried that it was going to get damaged in the shed and could not think what to do with it. Then had a brainwave and have hung it is the glass porch. Maybe attract some trade from the Papa Stour ferry passengers or passing lobsterboat men.

Out of the blue had a phone call re the Shetland Trader. To cut a long story short ... the Burra (island connected by bridge near Scalloway) History Group have just restored an old, thatched croft house and want to put in an exhibition of Shetland knitwear (not garments but text, photos etc). Someone had come across the first leaflet Betty had drawn for the ST. They were intrigued, so I took Mum's folder of photos etc to Burra last Friday. A Fair Isle knitter there was overwhelmed by Mum's designs and colours and wants to use some for the exhibition ... and I think some herself(!). Anyway, when it is up I will take some photos.

Another historical tale from that era. When I was working for the Nature Conservancy around 1969 I became very interested in the remnants of Shetland's native trees (actually found new sites for several species and enjoyed myself hugely) and identified a little ravine that held native rowan, rose, honeysuckle etc. Very few people in Shetland were (are) aware of what the land looked like before we came along with sheep and cattle and pigs and goats and geese and ponies, circa 5000 years ago and grazed the trees and shrubs out of existence. I thought this little ravine would be an ideal place to plant up one day with native trees to recreate some Shetland woodland ... for education, science and fun. So I scheduled it as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. A decade ago, the Shetland Amenity Trust folowed up my idea, fenced part of the ravine off from sheep and have been planting 'native' trees. Since we have been back at Bousta I have grown several aspens taken from suckers on the crags nearby. On Monday I took one and planted it in the Burn of Valayre - overseen by an official from the Trust. Curious to be in the position of doing this almost 40 years after I first thought about it!

Okay ... so it's very small ... but you wait!

Spring!

Spring! Well maybe. Lunch in the conservatory (I know I don't call it that). Took me a day of washing the winter mould off the glass, woodwork and floor. But worth it. Primroses out, and a daisy ... got to start somewhere.

The daffodils nearly there ... just waiting to make sure another gale won't come along and flatten them.

Good to sit back in the porch and admire the view (and sheep) in comfort. This year's geraniums have arrived and are all potted up.

It's raining now of course ... and there are warnings of gales!!

Mum at home

Mum home this afternoon ... won't take her elegant long coat off ... yet.
Having her chocolate and looking at the pictures.

A warning look

I kept trying to take her while she was smiling, but by the time the digital camera flashed she had changed expression again. So I just pressed the button and then tried to make her laugh ... got that look!

She's thin but eating well and not losing anymore weight now.

Snow, snow

No post today. We are snowed in, Polly and me. I tried to get out this afternoon to see Mum, but had to turn back at Collaster (4th house down the road). Just managed to turn with the aid of the shovel. This is what it looks like on the Hillswick cliffs across St Magnus Bay.And Bousta too ... though the wind and the sea thins it a bit here. Nevermind, Polly and I have the TV and she seems to enjoy the first of the David Attenborough new series ... these are tysties.

It was not staged, she also liked the guillemots and arctic fox (not shown)

It is supposed to thaw by the weekend.

More Snow

Went to see Mum this afternoon for a couple of hours but decided not to bring her home because of the roads. Very picturesque though.
Stanevatstoe frozen over and the sheep having to dig for food.


Coming down into Walls

The view from Wastview towards Vaila at 3pm

See if Sage can recognise where I am ... halfway home(!)
Freezing up again tonight but a lovely full moon over the snow.