Well I don't have much to report on today - I finally took it slow.


I ambled round the West bit, pausing at known Otterys and saw nowt of the little beggers. I proved to myself that there was nothing at the Brig of Wass, Wass, Sandwick, Bixter or Aith, though the views were pretty. I visited Twatt and got a picture (interestingly, all the people in Twatt drive like 'em as well - perhaps they are sick of people laughing at them whenever they tell them their address so they are all extra aggressive). I also went to the very end of Whiteness, a sticky out bit like West Burra, just to look at the view.


After all this, I went back to Lerwick to catch the gift shops in the last hour before they closed, as it could be my last chance to get mementos if I'm on boats for the next two days. Kindly Shetlandic ladies kept their shops open for me (I caught them as they were packing up, hoping to knock off early). I also found Lerwick's shopping centre, which reminded me a lot of the one in Birchwood where I work (its not very good - shabby old building, tired shops with faded signs, old stock). It did proudly boast to be "Shetland's shopping experience" though, which is frightening.


Then I spent the remainder of the evening back at Sumburgh lighthouse watching the birds wheel about around the cliffs, it was very lovely and calming and a little bit cold. We almost got a sunset too, despite the clouds. All the tourers on the island were still grimly making the pilgrimage to Esha Ness cliffs though - I caught them all on the way back. Sunset rush hour - make sure you're never on west coast back-roads half and hour before or after sunset or you'll be jammed between tourers all the way. It was like that at Yesneby on Orkney as well.


I'm knackered now. It will be a relief to be sheperded around for a day or so. I've done my duty, I've scouted the majority of Shetland and I can report back that the areas to home in on during next visit are -


- Do the 4 hour walk round Herma Ness Reserve (1 day). Maybe stay on Unst :S

- Stay at least a couple of nights at Braeburn caravan park overlooking 'The Drongs' near Esha Ness and do the walks around the cliffs (1-2 days). Or at the lighthouse. Or both.

- Hang out on Sumburgh Head during puffin breeding season (1 day)

- Have a concerted couple of evenings otter spotting in all the voes of Northmavine and West/East Burra.

- Wild camp 1 night at Papil and build things in the sand

- Do Mousa Broch this time (half a day)

- Get to Foula and Fair Isle (1 day each)

...and I'm sure there is more exploring to be done too, I just didn't have any time.

I'll sign off now, I need some sleep. It was a restless night last night, bizarrely I was too hot (!). I dunno, is this meant to be sub-artic or wot? Mind you, I have started driving along with all the windows wound down, we all do it here. It's not because you get toughened up, its just you have to put on so many layers to survive outside that when you get in the car it is too hot, but you can't be arsed taking all your layers off again just for a short drive, so you just open the windows full instead.

Anyway, like I said, bed for me now, tomorrow should be an exciting day...