Sunday 29th June

Lerwick

The rain had almost stopped by the time I finished breakfast and so I headed off to the west of the island and Eshaness. I manage to disturb a couple of oystercatcher who warn me away with their squeaking. As I drive along the road there is a mother oystercatcher and her still fluffy baby who can't yet fly from danger. The mother is very anxious about her traffic ignorant baby. She eventually manages to persuade it that the field is preferable to the road.

The weather improves as the day goes on and by lunchtime there is more blue sky than grey. There are not that many people about. Some tourists and walkers and a few locals flying along the single track roads. Houses are scattered about the hillsides but there are only a few. There are even fewer shops and petrol stations. I find a Co-op in Brae which has Saturday's paper. Apparently the papers don't arrive until 11am this far north.

I drive through unlikely-named Mavis Grind where the Atlantic and the North Sea almost meet. From there it is on to Lerwick. I go to the Lerwick Museum, sadly too late for the lunchtime jazz (and cake). Some very beautiful things, exhibitions, art and souvenirs. There are so few shops there is not much of the usual tourist tat that is found in so many places. Sadly there is no cake left that I am allowed to eat and so have to console myself with cappuccino and the view out across the harbour.

All trace of rain is now gone and the sky and the sea are brilliant blue. Seems like a good time for a walk on a beach and so I head south to Bigton and the tombolo beach. I had never heard of a tombolo beach until I came here. It is a causeway of sand between the mainland and St Ninians. It is a fantastic beach, wide and sandy, waves crashing on one side and lapping more gently on the other. I walk across head up the hill and sit on the brow and watch gulls and puffins. There is no-one around other than me. It is blissful.

Back into Lerwick - hotel and supper - and as I go to the window I see a seal slip past. Guillemots are diving for their supper and the ferry to Bressay keeps going to and fro. Now I just need to work out what to do with my remaining morning in Shetland.

posted at 23:28 in /travel (permanent link)

Sunday 29th June

Brae

The much forecast rain has arrived and so bringing wet weather stuff now seems a good idea. Thinking I am going to head north and explore a bit and then head to Lerwick to dry out and look at museums. But as ever, plans may change.

posted at 08:28 in /where (permanent link)