Eshaness
Another place everyone has been talking about since I arrived is Eshaness, on the most north-westerly point of Shetland, in Northmavine.
This was my first proper day off; I have been working really hard so I could save up some free time to spend with Cristina.
Despite the fact that it is supposedly spectacular on a really windy, stormy day, we were delighted that it was a gloriously sunny, blue-sky day. We walked from the lighthouse, which is now a holiday rental property, along the cliffs and marveled at the deep blue colour of the sea and frothing waves.
Help arrives!
A very good friend, Cristina, arrived for a holiday. The only bad thing for her is her experience at mosaic making! Cristina and I studied at Chelsea together and so have both been making mosaics for 15 years. And she is good! So of course she knew I would be asking for just a wee bit of help. The deal was, the sooner it is finished, the more free time I have to spend with her. So on Cristina’s first day we sped off to the school across the Alps (through the snowstorm) and got to work.
In the afternoon I had more helpers coming. Iwona, who lives in North Roe, volunteered through Shetland volunteer service, and came to help out at several workshops. On the 11th she brought her daughter Anya, and Frances came, so we got a lot done and even decided to make number 5 (a small one). By the end of the day we had achieved a great deal.
St Ninians
I had an afternoon free so I flew down to St Ninian’s Isle.
Ever since I arrived in Shetland people have been telling me about St Ninian’s and expressing their amazement that I still hadn’t been. Now I know why. It is a spectacular tombola; a double sided beach that joins an island to the mainland. Apparently it is one of the best examples of a tombola in the world.
While walking across the beach, a kayaker approached the shore, got out of his kayak and dragged it across the beach, then got in it on the other side and rode away! There can’t be many places where you can do that.
Alps
I now have a commute to school, driving over the Alps. Yes, indeed, the landscape between Voe and Aith really is known as the Alps, although they are not quite so high as the real thing. Or snowy, or so I thought, until one morning in May…
I kid you not, this was on the 11th of May, and the very same day there was glorious sunshine. There really are four seasons in a day in Shetland.
Aith
I have moved house. I am now in Aith, about 10 miles from Voe, on the same voe – a branch of Olna Firth. I am staying in a fabulous log cabin that is owned by the brother of my lovely neighbours, Betty and Ray. The cabin is situated at the head of the voe with a marvellous view over the water. Aith is the “gateway to the west” and “west is best” as everyone who lives west-side keeps telling me! It is beautiful in the west; this is most certainly true.
