Wednesday 26 June 2013

Shetland

I followed-up the anniversary bike tour with a week's holiday in Shetland. I'm just back from that fine trip.

Shetland has a beautiful and dramatic coastline with great walking, loads of wildlife (Otters, Seals, Great Skuas, Puffins, Guillemots, Fulmars, Gannets, etc), well preserved neolithic settlements and at this time of the year it doesnt really get dark (the locals call it the Simmer Dim).


Shetland feels somewhat Scandinavian, its nearer Norway than Britain. There is an odd mix of very traditional lifestyles and the cosmopolitanism that comes with the international oil industry.

Surrounded by all that sea, the weather is extremely changeable. And different parts of the islands can have quite different weather. Over the week there was lots of fine sunshine (like New Zealand, the sun is very strong due to thin ozone and clean air) and several heavy storms. You can see how all those dramatic cliffs and sea stacks got sculpted.

This was my first holiday for over two years. All in all, it went very well. I gained a great deal (e.g. extended my boundaries) and managed the few setbacks OK. One of which was being attacked by the Shetland pony pictured below - they may be small and look cute but they are also vicious.

Here's looking to the next holiday - not arranged yet, but very soon.

6 comments:

  1. Jeff totally agree this is one of the most beautiful places in the British Isles, fabulous walks, fantastic scenery,friendly people and don't forget the amazing whiskey !!

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    1. Yes indeed, very true. Sounds like you've had some good trips there.

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  2. " Simmer dim" is what happens when you turn your potatoes down lower whilst they are nearly cooked in the pot. Paul, great blog post; you sure do have a natural love for nature. That Shetland pony must have believed you had a packet of polos on you, somewhere.

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    1. Thanks Neil. D'you think it was me spuds he was after?

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    2. Not sure Paul. But sure does have great hair. He could be in Duran Duran.

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    3. Yes indeed: Hungry Like the Pony.

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