19 June – Lerwick, St. Ninian Beach, & Sandwick

I just got in from feeding the chickens, so now that chores are done I’ll write about our day.(Our host has five chickens, and it’s fun to call them and wait while they “race like molasses” i.e. take their time getting to the fence and then feeding them… they especially like strawberry tops.)

Today we did better as tourists, getting out of here around 10:30 and getting back after 5:00.  First we drove over to St. Ninian’s Beach, the largest tombolo(look it up) in the British Isles.  It was nearly raining, and of course windy, but we had a fine walk.  Kathy even found some sea glass.  I’d like to go back and hike St. Ninian’s Isle, where they excavated at the site of a church (believed to be Norse – 1150) built on a pre-Norse site, and found a treasure of Pictish (pre-Norse & pre-Scot) silver.  It was a beautiful spot with waves crashing on both sides.

As we left we saw a lovely flower garden and further on an "artistic" ruined house.  We see both often here.  The flower garden had lovely black Iris.

Then on to Lerwick so that Kathy could go to more wool & yarn shops.  She visited Jamieson Knitwear, where she bought some yarn but found the place disappointing because the focus was on selling already made knitwear.  Then it was time for some fish and chips, and we saw an outdoor vendor with more woolen products.  Kathy went over to chat and mentioned the name Meg Swanson, and irony of ironies, the vendor, Mary MacGregor, had just e-mailed Meg to ask about carrying a book she (Mary) had written about Fair Isle knitting patterns.  So Kathy is going postal and bringing a book back to Meg for her.  The products MacGregor had were beautifully woven scarves and hats that were Fair Isle patterns, extremely soft and beautiful.  Lots of conversation there!

Next stop was Anderson & Co. where they carried Sidar yarn for which she’d been looking. Nice, chatty folks who helped her find yet more yarn to purchase.   

Then Kathy headed to the car to put another coin in the “pay & display” machine, while Dan took a longer route back to the car park and found yet another yarn shop called Loose Ends.  Maybe Kathy will visit that and chat again with Mary in coming days.

On our drive home we decided to stop in Hoswick-Sandwick, a twin-village sort of place that has a well known Visitor Center.  It was fun… saw lots of gift ideas, and watched a bit of a video of the January event in Lerwick when lots of folks dress in Viking costumes and carry a burning torches in a night-time parade.  The “king” of the parade is dressed like a Viking chieftain, and rides in a Viking longship.  At the end of the parade time all the participants throw their torches into the ship and it all goes up in a mighty column of flames.  Probably a needed event when the daylight seldom exceed 4-5 hours. 

Since I’ve been looking for Viking references and paraphernalia, I was excited to find a room dedicated to Shetland history and Viking involvement in that history.  We even met a Viking warrior who menaced us with his ferocious manner and battle-ax.  We then scampered home.

In the evening we often see the ferry heading out from Lerwick to Orkney or Aberdeen.  We’ll be on the ferry Friday evening as we head to our next adventure.  We are happy and thankful folks.