Sun and Gale

SunSolar power isn't a great choice for Shetland - sun is a rare and precious thing. Last week, the forecast actually called for a sunny day, so we headed off to explore a new part of Shetland - Northmavine. We left Adam to sleep in, and because his stomach doesn't do well on endless small winding roads. 

Right before this sign is Mavis Grind. A spot where it's only 100 yards from the North Sea to the Atlantic. Until the 1950s, sailors really did portage their sixereens and other boats from one side to the other, even though they're much heavier than a canoe. Because otherwise, they had to sail all the way around Normavine - a considerable additional distance. 

 

Northmavine is home to the highest "hill" in Shetland - Ronas hill. It's 450m high, or 1480', which doesn't sound like much, but it be seen from a long way around. This morning, the air was crisp, the sun was bright, and it had just hailed, covering the hill with a white cape. 

Around some more bends, and we stopped by a sweet little pebble beach. 

Out on the far western side of Northmavine is one of my favorite spots in all of Shetland - Eshaness lighthouse and cliffs. Last summer, we came on a really windy day, and the waves crashing against the cliffs were especially dramatic, but the wind was so strong that mom couldn't walk around. Today we had a nice explore. 

Back in Lerwick, the seas were still calm and I got this picture by the Shetland museum. 

Gale

We had several gales during our visit to Shetland, but the last was one of the strongest. Sunday we decided to go out to Whalsey island, and while we did see it, it was hard to get out of the car - it was pouring rain and windy. Whalsey has traditionally been the home of the big pelagic trawlers, the boats that get fish from the middle of the water column like herring and mackerel. Some of those boats, like the Serenity shown here, are huge. 

What you don't see here is what I looked like after a quick walk to see the Serenity up close while we were waiting for the ferry. I have rarely been that wet! I was wearing my high viz bib overall rain suit, but that left my shoes, socks, rain coat, hat, hands - totally drenched. 

On the way home, we stopped at the Kergord Hatchery Bookshop, a cozy used bookshop off the beaten track next to a truly rushing river. 

The next day, Monday, was our last in Shetland. The rain had mostly passed, but I was intrigued by the forecast of winds of 40 mph, gusting up to 60 mph. That's a lot! Mom and I walked to Tesco, but I had to go back and pick her up - staying upright was just too much work. On my way back, a big gust came up and I hung onto a light pole until it passed. The sun came out a bit and I got this picture of the choppy water in the harbor right from the window of our airbnb. 

Up next: London