January = Shetland Fire Festivals and Up Helly Aa!

Scalloway's Jarls squad marching through Scalloway.

Well, we enjoyed our first Christmas and New Year in Shetland. My two sons, Tom and Matt were here for New Year which was wonderful. We saw the Secret life of Walter Mitty at Mareel on New Years Eve with the boys. I was stunned by this film, in my opinion its one of the best films I have ever seen. The photography and the graphics are great and I thought it was an exceptionally stylish and innovative movie which we all enjoyed. Thank you Mr. Stiller! 

On New Years day we all went for a walk around St. Ninians, and amazingly, the sun shone, there was no rain and no gales! The week with the boys went fast and before we new it I was ferrying them back by plane to Nottingham where they live with their mum.

The other week we went to Scalloway fire festival which was great fun. Our friends Andrew, Alexis, Angela and Lisa were there and fun was had by all. After the procession and burning of da boat Rae and I drove back to Bridge End hall, where we spent several hours (until 01:40) watching the various squads pitch-up and do their comical stuff. In between the squads there was dancing (the band were Country Rok) and soup and sandwiches, great fun. What was particuarly lovely was the intergenerational aspect. There was at least one small baby, children adults and older folk too, all having fun. It was great.

What we had not appreciated about the fire festivals, and Up Helly Aa, is that the Jarl Squad's costumes change each year. Each Jarl designs the costume and each Jarl squad member has to pay for their own costume, which is about £600! 

Pretty.

Sushi making

The boys are on a roll!

Delicous!

Jarl squad recruitment begins young

Blurred for extra dramtic effect, honest.
Well, Rae took it, so its totally her fault right!

Toasty.

The Jarl and his squad arrive at Bridge End hall

Oh to be a Viking!

Up Helly Aa is on Tuesday and we are really looking forward to it. The partying in the various halls around Lerwick goes on all night at this event!! Rae and I are going to the Stand-up Up Helly Aa at Mareel. It should be a fab evening of comedy. 

The day after the festival is like a bank holiday: all the schools, shops, including Tesco are closed on wednesday, bloody fantastic. We love da Vikings! 

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New Years Eve at Mareel where we watched 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' which is an amazing film.
We love Ben Stiller! 

Me, Matt and Tom wrapped-up warm at St. Ninian's on New Years Day.

Looking across from St. Ninian's to Havara Island which is in da distance.

Hoping everyone has a fun Up Helly Aa!!

Yule Greetings from Hjaltland

The lengendary Socks was the special guest at the Shetland pony riding school Christmas party held last
Sunday.

A week ago today we helped our friends Barbara and George with their pony riding school Christmas party. It was a very breezy afternoon and pretty chilly. Our duties were to provide soup and hot drinks to the guests. We really had a good time, albiet a chilly one, and It was great to meet new people. 

Socks, the moon walking Shetland pony, was the special guest. He was a bit petulant, I guess the pressure of TV and big screen fame is a difficult thing to bear.

Socks waiting with Elaine (his trainer) for his next adoring fan to say Merry Christmas

Father Odin came to provide gifts for the children. (Unfortuantely, Sleipnir was not well, so one of the ponies graciously took his place). 

Rae's Christmas making, its amazing what you can do with old beer bottle tops! Beautiful aren't they.

As you can see Rae has been busy making Christmas cards and decorations which are lovely. 

Rae's gorgious cards!

The trees on these cards are made from wall paper samples!

Note the caulking mallet, a useful stamping implement.

Winter Solstice sushi night. 

 Last night we had some friends over for suchi which was great. It was a hands on make your own suchi party but unfortunately we forgot to take any photos.

Cosy.

The stripy couple wishing you a very happy yule.

Merry Christmas from us in Shetland.

Gales & Snow.

The Storm last Thursday.

Well, we survived last weeks storm, albeit we were a bit chilly at times, the wind found its way in, under the eaves and past the odd window frame. Still we layered-up kept the fires stoked, stuffed hot water bottles up our jumpers and we were fine.

The extreme weather was exciting, mainly because we were ok. We were very aware that there were many people down the east coast of Scotland and England who were not so fortunate and who have suffered damage and some who have lost their homes which is awful.  

There are lots of photos in this post. I hope you like them. 

We felt very sorry for the ponies seen here huddled behind the old van.

We felt sorry for the ponies who at times huddled behind the old van for shelter. Rae was getting a bit freaked 'cos, for a while, they were all stood looking at her through the kitchen window. Happily, Rae did not invite them in for a warm and a cup of tea.

A leaden sky.

Very pretty.

Then the weather really closed-in on Friday morning.

Happily Defiant survived on her strapped down on the trailer. Just kept her bow to the wind.

Friday afternoon the weather cleared and we had a walk to check on Zephon.
Note the ice on the windward side of this loch.

Me wrapped-up warm.

One of Zephon's stern lines had come loose and a chap called Dewie (sorry if the spelling is wrong)
kindly re-tied it, thank you!

Walking home.

Love the light in this photo.

Saturday morning and snow.

Me enjoying the snow.

Snow on the beach.

Rae made me chuckle, she has a thing about the seals. The seals are very inquisitive even though they don't like people coming near them. First sign of a person approaching and they are straight into the sea. Once in the sea, they will bob-up and stare at you, to see if you are posing a threat. Rae, at this point starts chatting to them, as if they can understand her. Strangely enough, they seem to actually listen! Weird I know. So, Rae's new name is 'Seal Whisperer'.  When I look at the seals it makes me think about the old tales of seals being the reincarnations of drowned sailors. 

Cosy home, well actually, bloody chilly during the height of the gale!

Gorgeous, Seal Whisperer.

We love the tough ponies!