Japan and a Windy trip around the British Isles.

[drron]

..

..

..

..

 

[drron]

A couple of pics on my way back to the ship.A treehouse and a surviving smokehouse.
..

.
I was going to walk around town for a while but it was bitterly cold and the rain became more constant and heavier so back to the ship for lunch which we had in the main dining room. Some last pics of Stornoway from the ship.
..

..

..

 

[drron]

Lunch.
..

..

Mrsdrron started off with the avocado and prawns whilst I had the quesadilla and gazpacho.
..

.
Then mrsdrron went with the veal while I had the sweet potato patty.
..
I finished with the bananas.
.

 

[drron]

The team bombed out in trivia but I salvaged some points coming third in the putting.
It was a formal night and the Venetian Society coughtail reception.We had dinner with the Chief Engineer in La Terraza.I would prefer the MDR on formal nights.
..

..

..
We both started with the gnocchi and I had the tomato soup after that.
..
And we both had the lobster for our main dish.
.
It was a very enjoyable night with great conversation.

Tonight the ship is rock and rolling.Some people are feeling it but we think it isn't that bad.Hopefully the weather improves tomorrow for our visit to the Shetlands.

 

[drron]

Day 9.Lerwick,Shetland Islands.
Sail in.
..

..

.

So had my American crispy bacon today.I never thought that one day it would be my preferred way of having bacon.Did talk to the HD today about the bacon and he said I know it is cough.Trying to change suppliers.
.

 

[drron]

We went on the Northmavine tour.Was very enjoyable driving up to the northern part of the"Mainland".Shetland ponies,Shetland sheep,Icelandic horses,many birds and seals,A good guide and learnt a lot of the history and way of life of Shetland Islanders.
..

..

..

..

.

 

[drron]

Mussel farms.
..
And salmon farms.
..

..

..

..

 

[drron]

And for the rock fanciers.
..

.
All because they are doing roadworks at this place.
.
Which is the place of the shortest distance between the Atlantic and the North Sea.It is said the Vikings carried thei boats across at this point to save time and distance.
..

..

..

 

[drron]

..

..

..
And that little shack apparently stars in the series Shetland.Though I have never seen the show.
..

.

 

[drron]

..

..

..
Peat works.
..
We stopped at a view point.
.

 

[drron]

..

..

..

..
We then stopped at a cafe for tea and shortbread.Quite a few wildflowers there.
..

 

[Julesmac]

And for the rock fanciers.
View attachment 168871.View attachment 168872.

View attachment 168873.
All because they are doing roadworks at this place.
View attachment 168874.
Which is the place of the shortest distance between the Atlantic and the North Sea.It is said the Vikings carried thei boats across at this point to save time and distance.
View attachment 168876.View attachment 168877.

View attachment 168878.View attachment 168879.

View attachment 168880.View attachment 168881.

My Granny was a wee Shetland lassie. Boy they bred em tough! I can still remember her stirring porridge with the spurtle she brought with her when they emigrated. Never got the taste for porridge with generous spoon of salt

 

[Major]

We are watching the Shetland series now. It's very good

 

[drron]

Mrsdrron caught me wandering off.
..

..

..

..

.

 

[drron]

Lots of wee Shetland sheep.
..

..

..

.
An interesting rock.
..
An Icelandic horse.
.

 

[drron]

An old cemetery.
..

.
And a stop at a lighthouse with a walk on the clifftop.
..

.

.

..

.

 

[drron]

Although it is time for the puffins to arrive none were seen.
..

..

..

..

..

 

[drron]

..

..

..

..

..

 

[drron]

Plastic is everywhere.
..
Also a visit to a Laird's house.I got to skip stones on the Atlantic ocean.
..

..

..

.

 

[drron]

There is a small museum which was the Laird's house.Farming and fishing were the industry here.Photos of the herring business at this bay are astounding.
..

..

.
I walked down to the bay.
..

..

.
A whole lot of baby seals were playing in the lagoon.2 brown heads in the last pic.