To the woods

It's been good to have a couple of days off after returning from Shetlandica. I've spent both afternoons walking Rowan through the woods at Conon and Strath, reaquainting myself with trees. The northern isles really could do with some forests. If they can grow in Norway, Canada and the rest of the world at 60 degrees latitute I'm sure they would do fine on the Lang Kames or somewhere similar. There's no sign of snow around here, except on the high hills, and it's amazingly mild. If this is global warming then bring it on. I look forward to strolling through the Ross-shire coconut palms and banana plantations.

Ups and Doons

Up to Shetland again. Up and doon on the plane like a rollercoaster. Up and doon winds, gale force to flat calm and back in a few hours. Up and doon Shetland from Lerwick to Eela. Up and doon through Mavis Grind 18 times in 8 days, surely a record for a Rothes loon (No Mavis Grind is not an obliging local lass, it’s the wee neck of land that separates the North Sea from the Altantic and North Mavine from the rest of Shetland mainland. Mavis Grind separates the up bit from the doon bit). Back doon to Scotlandica later today.
The only thing that isn’t going in an up and doon direction is the snow.
It’s going sideways.

A Fortnight of Fireworks

The two week party is finally over and it certainly went with a bang, even to the point of watching the Lerwick firework display from the boat as we sailed south. Quite a sight seeing the town lit up like that from the ferry. Thanks to everyone who made our trip such a good one, the Brae tribe, the Quarff clan and the Lerwick loons and quines, we love you all and will be missing you as usual. Mind you I'm back up a week on Monday so I guess I'll be seeing you soon, but the Viking Queen and Princess will be counting the days to be saying hello in person again.
Hope to be seeing a lot more of you all in 2007.