2022 Shetland

Day 1

Destination Aberdeen

It is our intention to travel by train to Aberdeen and use the ferry service overnight to Lerwick. It's now six days before departure and in spite of covid restrictions all plans are in place.

Not everything went according to plan though. Ken left a bag of pork pies and a bottle of brandy at Huddersfield railway station and, in spite of, Kevin being chaperoned by his daughter to Berwick railway station, managed to leave his mature cheddar cheese behind, which was supposed to accompany his christmas cake.

Day 2

Arriving in Lerwick

Once settled into our cabins on MV Hrossey we headed to the restaurant for dinner. This was followed by a few bears in the bar and bed in our cabins. We all survived the night in spite of the journey being quite 'bumpy'. Some of us had a breakfast on the ship while others had a meal in a cafe en route to the Grand Hotel, our accomodation for the coming week.

Once settled into the hotel we all set off on a walk. Graham, Peter and myself walked around the Knab finishing up at the leisure centre for home-made potato and leak soup. Some of the others organised some transport for us for the next few days. Peter, being so imressed with the leisure centre returned later for a swim. The rest of us, except Richard, went for a pint.

We had dinner at C'est La Vie french restaurant which was very good. The evening was completed with a few drinks in the Grand Hotel lounge bar.

Day 3

South main island

After a fantastic traditional breakfast, Andy and Richard went to pick up our rental mini-bus. Once we were all abourd we headed south out of Lerwick first stopping to view the tombola to St.Ninnians Isle. From here we headed down to the most southerly point, crossing the Sumburgh airfield runway, to the lighthouse and foghorn. From here we headed for the Sumburgh hotel hoping for some refreshments, but it was not to be. Most of use, therefore, visited the adjacent Jarlshof iron age settlement. The visitor centre was closed, but the site was open which wasn't the case with Old Scatness site which was completely closed. Heading back north we called in at Mackenzies farm shop and cafe for refreshments, which was very good.

On our way back to Lerwick we made a detour to Scalloway. Unfortunately both the museum and castle were close, but were able to visit the commemoration monument to the 'Shetland bus' operation of WWII. On returning to our hotel, most of us headed to the Louge Bar for an odd pint befor relaxing back at the hotel before our evening meal.

Meeting up at 7pm we made our way to Da Steak Hoose resaurant for our evening meal. Most of us had a steak which we all agreed were very good if a little on the expensive side. The evening was finished off in the Grand Hotel lounge bar for end of day reflections, banter and beer.

Day 4

Unst

This mornings breakfast of smoked haddock and poached egg was absolutely delicious. Leaving the hotel we set off to Toft on the main island where we caught the ferry to Yell. Driving north through Yell we caught thr ferry to Unst. After a short drive we stopped off at a longhouse and viking boat attraction. Leaving here, we called at a shop / cafe for hot drinks and then doubled back a couple of hundred yards to Bobby's bus shelter, which having previously seem it was a disappointment. We then headed north until we ran out of road. The rest of the two miles six of us did on foot to Hermaness, possibly yhe most northerly part of the UK. We were hoping to see Muckle Flugga light house, but it was a bit further east and could only see the top of it.

On our return we did a slight detour for Fish and Chips at Frankies in Brae - the most northerly fish and chip shop in the UK - and they were excellent. Returnig to the hotel for a relaxing couple of hours we stayed in its lounge bar for the rest of the evening. Turned ou to be quite lively, it is Friday after all. Got talking to a young man from Boston in the USA who though he was going to London who found himself in Aberdeen en route to Lerwick. Ken and myself had an interesting chat with a local young man who was Junior Jarl at the 2011 UP Helly Aa festival. Richard seemed to be quite taken with a young lady, so much that in all the times he has been on these annual trips away I have never before been in bed before hime.

Day 5

Bressay

After a full English breakfast we headed in the mini-bus for the ferry to Bressay. First of all we made our way south to the lighthouse. After re-tracing our steps we then headed east towards Noss where we saw our first sign of the sun. Again re-tracing our steps we headed north until we ran out of road. We had tried to find a cafe for refreshments, but to no avail. Returning to main island by ferry we stopped off for refreshments at the tollhouse shopping centre cafe. The afternoon was rounded off with a visit to Clickminnin Brock on the outskirts of Lerwick.

Our evening meal was at a Thai restaurant called Phu Siam and was very good. The evening was rounded off in the upstairs Lounge Bar where a musician was performing. It was the first time that the upstairs bar had been opened for some tme and the local young people made the most of the moment. They certainly know how to have a good time.

Day 6

Main Island - West

The chef made us smoked haddock and poached eggs again for breakfast - lovely. Today was spent on the upper west side of the main island. Our first destination was Sandwick. Retracing our steps we then headed north to Isbister, almost the most northerly part of the main island, and apart for a farm, nothing. Heading south, we called in at Frankie's for light refreshment. Graham and myself had a Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup which we thought unusual, but was actually very good. Leaving Frankie's we made for Sandness via Twatt. On the way back to the hotel we called in at Tesco to buy wine for tomorrows meal in C'est La Vie french restaurant tomorrow evening.

We spent the whole evening in the hotel. There didn't appear to be a restaurant open this Sunday, so we bought a take-away and, with the permission of the owner, used the hotel dining room. After our meals we retired to the hotel lounge for after dinner refreshments. Most of us had an early night because yesterdays was a late one.

Day 7

West Burra

After another fabulous breakfast of smoked haddock and poached eggs we drove across Trondra towards Hamnavoe for a photo shoot. Leaving here, we headed for Minn Beach via Bridge End. The mini-bus was parked in the car park and all, except Richard, walked across the tombola to Kettla Ness. Eddie, Kevin and myself walked back along the beach. Richard returned the mini-bus to the hire company and then had light refreshments in the cafe in the Clocktower Centre. We then returned to the hotel via Fort Charlotte.

The evening meal was at C'est La Vie french restaurant where we consumed our own wine - not impressed that they charged us corkage when thet don't sell wine. The rest of our last evening in Lerwick was spent in the Grand Hotel lounge bar where banter was rife. Ken usually is the butt of most of it regarding his 'wind' problem. It was pointed out to Andy and Colin that the only reason they were invited was so that Ken had someone to share a room with.

Day 8

Last day in Lerwick

We split up into small groups for this our last day in Lerwick. Peter, who had been suffering with toothache for a couple of days had an appointment at Gilbert Bain Hospital where he had an abscess lanced, considerabled easing the pain. All the others had arranged to meet up at the cafe in the Toll Clock centre.

The ferry left on time at 19:00hrs. We all ate in the restaurant and some had drinks afterwards. Most of us refrained from too much alcohol. It was a bit 'rough' as we left Lerwick and Graham suffered a bit. Most of us had an early night. After a few hours the sea and wind calmed down consiberably.

Day 9

Heading home

The ferry arrived on time at Aberdeen.